DetermineD Magazine Dec-Feb 2013-14 Winter Edition | Page 9

LITERARY IN AMERICA: “SABOTOGED” Cheating or Cheated; Deceiving or Deceived S abotage [sab-uh-tahz, sab-uh-tahz] noun, verb, -taged, -tag.ing. -noun 1. any underhand interference with production, work, etc., in a plant, factory, etc., as by enemy agents during wartime or by employees during a trade dispute. 2. any undermining of a cause. -verb (used with object) 3. to injure or attack by sabotage. So I know you’re probably thinking, what is this, some sort of educational lesson, class, or something? Well it could be if need be but this lesson is a reality that is also going on not only in the literary world but in all fields of profession. It’s the act(s) of making someone else look and/or feel worse than self. The sad part is that this “sabotage” effect really happens more often than not. There is nothing worse in this world than having your work or product in any form, discriminated against and not even have a clue as to why. 9|Page Especially if that work of art is something that has been a passion of yours or has been your life-long dream. I tell you the thought of it alone is enough to make my skin crawl. So in this article, we are going to tackle the subject “SABOTAGED”. Yes, S-A-B-O-TA-G-E-D and the cruelty that goes alone with it. After last quarter’s edition, where I had to write my column under a mild form of anonymity so that my guest could keep her identity a secret, something hit me. I’ve decided that for now, all of my columns will be done in the same style. It’s easier to do it this way so that people can say what they are really feeling without being subjected to the harshness and cruelty of anyone else. To be quite honest, I don’t think that people should be penalized for their honest opinions and/or thoughts and I won’t allow it to happen in my column. Sorry, but that’s just the way it’s going to be – at least for now. So let’s get started. The other day, I went online to purchase a book by a fairly well known author, who in my eyes should be amongst the best. Of course I read the