How much attention should I pay to a letter beginning, “There are countless mistakes in your book which bare mentioning”?

Showing 21 comments
  • Bethany

    On the positive side, it’s better than having someone ask you to “bare with me”.

    (I de-lurked to write THAT? Um, yeah, I guess I did.)

  • Justin

    Wow, not even a greeting, not even a “with all due respect,” not even a “there are many things that I am delighted with in your book, but.” I mean, had the above line appeared halfway through a personal letter, there could be a number of things said in its defense; however, as it stands, one must read it as the greeting itself. Other similar greetings that the author of the above mentioned letter could have used include:

    “Hey there not-so-bright person”
    “Dearest Idiot”
    “To whom it may concern, since the person concerned seems unconcerned about things with which the afore mentioned concerned ought to be concerned.”
    “I would greet you, but obviously I’m too superior to you in knowledge to have to condescend in such a manner.”

    Having said all of that, I have a friend who has made it a practice of writing down every critique (good, bad, ugly) he receives as he travels and speaks. He is sure to review each one and asks, “Is there anything in this critique that could be helpful to me?” And so he’s found a way to learn even from those critiques that are masked insults. God bless you as He uses even these critiques to further mold you into a better you.

  • WTMCassandra

    Hardeharhar!

    I’m sorry you have to “bare” with this. It’s funny in a sad way.

    To answer your question: Not much. But I suspect you knew that ; ).

  • Holly Van Houten

    Too funny!

  • Leah

    Barely any?

  • Joshua Duncan

    Just enough attention to get it on your blog. I got a good chuckle out of that.

  • Trish Lawrence

    I’d say (tongue in cheek):

    “Thanks for your obvious attention to detail. Would you like to know how to write? I have another book for that.”

    Oh. My. Word. Good for Friday fun though.

    Trish

    http://www.trishlawrence.com/blog

  • Jill

    The “bear” minimum.

  • Katie Adams

    My vote is “nun.” 🙂

  • Janice in NJ

    We have a line for that sort of thing around here – using the voice of the Jungle Book’s Shere Kahn as he slams Kaa’s self-serving head back down to the earth where it belongs, “Uh, no. I can’t be bothered with that; I have no time for that sort of nonsense.” . 🙂

    3 minutes into the clip:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T0I5UepXMA&feature=PlayList&p=DF8A03F32CB4323A&index=2

    Have fun having fun!
    Peace,
    Janice

  • K-Sue

    Wow, I tune out for a few days and tune back in to find a whole new blog style. I like it!

    I barely no enough to recognize you’re countless mistake’s. ; )

  • e

    Grin and bear it?

  • Virginia

    Wow! What can you say to that?
    Love the new blog format.

  • JFS in IL

    Simply correct the letter in red ink and mail it back with no other comments.

  • Heather

    That is great. Don’t throw it away, whatever you do! Hopefully, the writer reads the blog, but perhaps you can mail it to that man who wrote Anguished English.

  • Moira

    Pay enough attention to such ugliness to see if in fact you can learn anything (even the littlest thing) from it but not enough to let it bother you in any way. At least if there is even one good idea (which by that sentence tone, I seriously doubt) you have not wasted your time.

    Also know that it really was amusing for your blog readers-I literally laughed out loud!

    Best Wishes,
    Moira

  • brandi gunn

    Bare Market.
    Bare Meat.
    Gladly, the cross-eyed bear. (Technically, a different sort of pun, but I thought I’d dust it off for this occasion.)

    How does a mistake bare mentioning? The mistake strides up and swipes Mentioning’s clothes. Or is it more subtle than that?

  • Paula

    Guess it depends which book. No it doesn’t. History is constantly written and rewritten. It’s typically written by the winners and not always accurate. Have you looked at a regular school history book lately? They’re filled with errors and ommissions! re the person/letter: Kill ’em with kindness was what my Mom always told me.

  • Sandra

    HA! Little to none, I’d say…

  • Kim

    I too appreciate irony. Thank you.

  • Amy J. Waugh

    HAHAHAHAHAHA! That is awesome! People are so self-absorbed!

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