Controversy Sells, Controversy Complicates

I write about issues that are controversial. Thus, I get a lot of hatemail, most in the form of comments to my personal blog. Recently, I had to shut down the comments section of my blog, due to a particularly unpleasant person who has been harassing me. He was using the anonymous function allowed by blogger to post nasty personal comments about me. I tried the registration route, but he just made up some name and continued to assault. So I shut it down. My agent assures me this is common. I'm small potatoes, in the writing world, but even a tiny amount of celebrity, especially in controversial circles, makes you a target.

But celebrity, however small, can be a pain in the ass. I'm annoyed that I had to shut down comments to my blog. Yes, this harasser is nothing but a small man with a smaller...um, I'll stop there. He's trying to scare me. I know he's trying to scare me. It's not working. But I REALLY would like people who honestly disagree with me to have the right to comment. I may not feel the same way they do, but it is their right to feel that way. Plus it makes for GREAT blogging material.

Most big name authors don't have contact information on their site. You have to go through their Web designer, or fill out a form that doesn't tell you how to reach them. I understand why.

I've heard people say that they don't really think blogs need comments anyway, because, "it's my blog!" I rather enjoyed hearing from the masses, even when the masses were telling me I was an idiot. I've learned not to engage, and to let it roll off my back, like water off the feathers of a duck. In fact, I learned to turn it around and make it funny. I guess you can call it a life lesson.

Along with the people that don't like what you are writing, comes the email from unpublished writers. I do not like turning them down. I remember being an unpublished writer. For that reason, I've tried to include a lot of information on my site about how to get an agent, and even a complete agent listing. Still, I get emails asking me to read manuscripts, and those that say, "I need an agent. Help!!" The best answer I can give: I've given you a listing, now it's YOUR job to find the right agent. I screen my agent listing. You won't find scammers on there. As for manuscripts, for legal reasons I cannot read them. Sorry to disappoint.

So, where does this leave me? A little-known author, with a well-reviewed book who sold to a New York press. I've sold okay, gotten great reviews (save a very biased one from a local Utah paper), and have a LOT of readers than have written me asking me to write more books.

Is it worth the headache? I wouldn't change a thing.

*****

Speaking of controversy, Martha Nibley Beck, well known as an O Magazine columnist, and a life coach, recently published a book that has the Mormons even MORE irked with her than they were with me. Her book, Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found my Faith, addresses the fact she believes her father, revered Mormon apologist Hugh Nibley, sexually molested her. Her family ardently disagrees. But her elderly father recently passed away, without ever addressing these issues, making those surrounding Martha even angrier. I'm halfway through her book, and must admit I believe her. And her writing triggers me. Now I understand EVEN why I get both angry and passionate emails from writers. My writing triggers them. When you address something deep, controversial, closed, religious, and life-altering, you have to expect to get one of two responses: they love it, or they hate it.

Both are compliments. And as a writer, one had to learn to accept that. They may not love you, but you TRIGGERED them. You made them think. Even if they think you are full of shit....