A friend of mine always says “never piss off a writer” when referring to bad customer service. An eloquent review can be scathing and damaging to a business’ reputation. Of course, you’ve probably heard it’s better not to make an author mad, unless you want them to kill you off (figuratively) in the next book.
Personally, I’ve done both. I’ve posted scathing reviews when service was abominable and I’ve vented other frustrations in my books. There are a few villains in my books who represent people who’ve tried to damage me along the way. And I have a penchant for seeing those fictional villains pay for their crimes against individuals or humanity.
But the thing that just baffles me – due to a recent, real life experience – is the motivation behind a con-man sort of villain. Naturally, by definition, con-men are dressed as the good guy and usually have a solid story to help them sell the con. I can only imagine they look in the mirror and laugh at how easy it is to fool the world.
It’s not usually easy to put one over on me. I have a pretty good bullshit detector (mother of teens, you know). But not too long ago, an ‘expert’ in his field managed to catch me on a vulnerable day, and on a sore point of home repair, and talked me out of a thousand dollars.
I still get furious when I think of that jerk’s face as he convinced me to part with our money. He was kind and informative and he earned my trust by sympathizing and confirming things I did know about the situation. And I took his report and did my own research, just not enough research on him, specifically.
No one wants to foolishly part with their money and I know we all make mistakes, but still, this situation rankles.
A few weeks after I had the repairs done, his company called to clarify details and conflicting reports he’d filed about our property. Maybe I should feel better that I wasn’t the only one fooled – that he’d fooled his boss and several other trusting clients too – but still…
For the con artist good enough, slick enough to fly under my bullshit radar and rob me, I have a special level of fictional hell in store. When I get him on the page, he’s going to pay in slow, painful, and ugly ways.
Writing can be delightfully cathartic. From the fair-warning, negative references in real life to creating a dramatic and fitting – if only fictional – demise for the real life villains out there.
Live the adventure!
