Over the past few days, I have been giving a lot of thought to the recent unpleasantness. Usually, I send my comments to authors privately. I have said before and maintain that I don't like to post comments that might be seen as negative in a public space.

I have somewhat of an issue with that, though, because a free exchange of ideas in a public forum is one of the tools that can help our community grow. It is paradoxical that we are unable to offer positive criticism without risking censure of our own.

And by critical, I do NOT mean it in the way that some people view it as "inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily." My understanding of 'critical' in this context as "involving skillful judgment as to truth, merit, etc.; judicial: a critical analysis."

What upset me about the recent incident was that I had not felt I had done anything to warrant the response. Based on feedback I now have from others, I still feel that way.

The situation was worsened in my eyes when the entire thread was deleted. I understand reasons for doing this, but it left me feeling that I was tacitly being blamed for instigating the whole affair.

I will always accept responsibility for my own actions. It felt hugely unfair to appear to be responsible for others' actions.

All of that is now in the past.

I have learned a lesson from this, and the 'mistake' will not be repeated. I will no longer comment on any story in a public area unless it is one that I have worked on or contributed to.

I take my responsibility as a proofer/editor seriously and always will. If this means that I lose some of the freedom to post that others enjoy, so be it.

I urge all authors to use proofing services when ever possible. Use the services of BOUSER or GEBP. We are there to help.