Have you ever received hate mail?

[mdin]

If so, how did you respond to it? Getting poor reviews is one thing, and we all know it's best not to respond. But what if it's sent in a personal email?

I've gotten a few not-so-nice letters, and I've always ignored them. I just got another one this evening, and I'm weighing whether or not to respond. The letter basically accuses me of being a racist because of something a character says in my book. ("I have never been so offended.")

I truly don't like being called something I'm not, but does it really matter? If the person doesn't get author/character separation, why do I have to be the one to explain it to him? Grrrr. These damn characters tormented me when I was writing the stupid book, and now they've finally figured out how to get to me after they've been put into book form.

What would you do?

[Euan H.]

I'd ignore it. Seems like the easiest and safest thing to do to me.

[maestrowork]

Ignore.

I've gotten a couple "not so nice" email since I started getting published. Mostly senseless drivel written by someone who can't even spell or construct a cohesive sentence. I always wonder what prompts these people to write such hateful letters/email to someone they hardly know.

There's that lovely "Delete" button staring back at me on the screen.

Click.

Done.

[SRHowen]

Yes, I have. On EZ board, and after a very very dark story of mine was published.

I tried not to repsond, but when I threatened to post the contents of the nasty stuff at EZ board they went away. On the other--I ignored them.

Shawn

[Mistook]

Think of it the same as you would spam or junk mail. It's something worthless that's designed to elicit a response out of you, and you'll regret it if you hit "reply".

Especially with hate mail, the writer is looking to get personal, and the minute you respond, you've dignified their letter, and elevated them to the level of an acquaintance.

It can be rough, but don't let people press your buttons... or at least don't let them know they pressed your buttons. No response is always the best.

[katdad]

Yes, I've received hate mail and threats, too. Oh, you mean about my writing! Mmmm, sure.

In fact, a few years ago I was writing book reviews for a local paper, wrote a book review of a mystery novel, thought the book was pretty bad, and said so in a pithily sarcastic review.

The author sent a threatening letter to the editor, said he'd come to our city and kick my butt. It generated a bit of static, since he actually threatened me physically.

I told my editor to let it slide but she passed it on to the cops, as that was newspaper policy. Apparently the local police where the author lived called him up, warned him, and that was all I ever heard of it.

Despite his threats, nothing ever came of --- Wait! What's that noise? What's that shadow at the bedroom window? ---- BANG! Arrrghhh....

Oh, wait. That was the TV. Whew.

I used to write "consumer fraud" articles for a local magazine, and our magazine received regular threats and warnings as a result. These I wrote under a pen name however, for obvious reasons.

I've received some hateful email but what I usually do is to ignore it, or maybe proofread it and correct the misspellings, send it back, or sometimes I'll send this type of reply:

"Dear X -- Some idiot has apparently stolen your email address, and is now sending out stupid, illiterate, and poorly written threat emails. I recommend you change your email address and leave this cretin in the dust. It's sad that these cowards exist, too, but they're insignificant gnats anyway. If he somehow manages to show up at my house, I'll be happy to swat him.
Keep yourself well. Cordially yours, your pal, Sam"

[mdin]

I guess the difference this time is the letter was thought out and well written. He seems to be an articulate guy who simply took something the wrong way, and that's what took me aback. I'm used to the "Dude, you're going to hell!!1!!1" type of e-mail. I guess I'll ignore it, but that's still not what my gut tells me. :Ssh:

[CACTUSWENDY]

That's a shame.....but small minds do small things.....

I think I would ignore the mail....he has vented and there is no way you could change his mind. Who knows...before your life is over...you may get called even bigger bad things....

:Sun: .........Love you guys.......Wendy.....

[Richard]

Nothing brightens up my day more than getting hate e-mail (usually from programmers rather than writers, although I've had some) where the author/writer/producer has failed miserably to disguise their name. You see the body of the message full of "I'm a real fan!" and "I have no connection to this company but...", then glance up at the address where the person's not only used their official domain name, but often sent things from their personal e-mail address.

[triceretops]

Not even worth the tap of your fingers on the keys. You're above that, just as J.K. Rowling gets death threats for leading children to hellacious doom with her so-called cult-frenzy, witch-loving fantasy. This person might give the impression they hate you, but they also admire and deeply respect you at the same time. That's extreme fandom. Take it with a dose.


Triceratops

[NicoleJLeBoeuf]

Don't you just love them readers what can't seem to distinguish between the author's beliefs and his characters' beliefs?

The thing I don't get is why these yahoos then insist on ascribing the views of the worst villain, or most unsympathetic protagonist, to the author. Presumably they have their choice of named critters to conflate with you; why do they pick the racist guy instead of the saintly old lady (just to pick two not-even-archetypes out of a hat)?

I don't get it.

[hapsburg]

If its articulate, than I will sometimes thank them for their thoughts and explain a misunderstanding, if there was one. If someone accused me of being racist I would respond to set them straight, even if they are an idiot by not making the distinction I don't want anyone thinking or spreading something like that around. I don't have time for a long debate but I'll give them my viewpoint. However most of them are psychotic drivel. I agree with the above that they simply want acknowledgement from you to elevate themselves. I respond but without giving them that satisfaction. Here's my form letter response:


"Thankyou for your interest in the work of Justin Josephnek Klör. Unfortunately, his responsibilities prevent him from responding personally to the letters and emails he receives. You can find answers to most of your questions at his website, found here:

Again, thankyou for your support, interest, and continued readership."

This really sets them off, because they aren't supporting me they're pissed. The irony of that response amuses me immensly. So they often write back with something even more acerbic and entertaining only to get the exact same form letter as response. Then they give up and disappear.
If, however, they threaten me, which has happened only once, I don't respond at all. I let the police convey my position to them.

[preyer]

i guess i'm lucky that everyone loves me. the worst thing ever said about me is my halo sometimes shines too bright.

y'all believe that, right? right?

being naturally argumentative, i'd probably feel compelled to respond. i particularly like the last suggestion. i can see where that'd get to someone. just the type of person i am, though, i'd probably collect all the hate mail and have a special section just for it for all to read. i have a feeling that in time that may be a pretty big section, lol.

the only thing that truly scares me about hate mail is getting a virus or bomb or something terrible and new that my anti-norton doesn't know to protect against.

regardless of what we write, we don't have any obligations to explain our fiction.

[Fractured_Chaos]

Look at it this way...It means someone is reading your books.

[Kate StAmour]

I would probably have to respond and explain, in detail, that the character is fictional and his/her opinions/statements do not reflect your own. Was the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird” a racist because some of the characters were? I know that art is interpretive, but I think “Mockingbird” clearly illustrates the horrors of racism. :Shrug: Just my 2 cents.
Sorry about the hate mail.

~Kate

[stormie]

Since the letter was articulate and thought out, I'd respond, but keep it short and to the point. Then block that guy's address (if it's email).

I've had some derogatory emails, and when they sound like they've had one too many, I hit delete. If they load my inbox with emails, I block their address.

[Zane Curtis]

I haven't had any hate mail before, but I did once run across a living, breathing, genuine nutcase who wanted to tell me all about the treatise he was writing in his attic. He was more sad than sinister.

[JanaLanier]

Wow. Some really creepy stuff.

It's not the same thing as feedback from a publication, but I had a similar experience with a large online critique group. One guy critiqued my story saying he was completely offended because one small character had a mental illness. Over the course of a few emails I learned that this guy was a paranoid schitzophrenic! So I guess you have to take everything with a grain of salt. (Even those critiques that say you're the most wonderful writer in the world, they say that to everyone.)

[Cate]

Well, not yet . . .
Heh
Who knows tho--could be around the bend, this is a weird business!

[pepperlandgirl]

I write and post fanfiction, and nothing...NOTHING...attracts the crazies like fanfiction.

I've gotten all kinds of angry, weird, and abusive emails.

[katiemac]

I'd imagine my first piece of hate mail could be rather fun. After that, probably not so much. Oh well, I think in this day and age it's just part of the package.

[Kasey Mackenzie]

Personally, I would ignore the "hate" mail until it tended towards more serious and/or specific threats, at which point I would then inform them I was involving the police. Half of the people who send out emails like that are just trying to get a response (i.e., the troll mentality) and the other half are generally weird and/or crazy so you don't want to get in a shouting match with them and risk setting them off worse. Just my own opinion, though. =)

[HConn]

I'd respond to the accusation of racism with a short, calm response.

[Elizabeth]

Definitely something to be ignored. Guard your energies carefully!

[NicoleJLeBoeuf]

I would probably have to respond and explain, in detail, that the character is fictional and his/her opinions/statements do not reflect your own. Was the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird” a racist because some of the characters were? I know that art is interpretive, but I think “Mockingbird” clearly illustrates the horrors of racism.Exactly, Kate. I recall another example of this particular sort of clueless in the "is Harry Potter evil" controversy. Some überreligious fussbudget used, as "evidence" that the Harry Potter books were evil and Rowling a Satanic influence on today's youth, the quote about drinking unicorn's blood--as if the book were actually advocating such behavior, and as if such an advocation would actually be useful in our mostly unicorn-less world.

Somehow, the fussbudget had neglected to note that she was quoting the books' villain, Lord Voldemort, and that the good guys, the ones that kids actually identify with and root for, were just as disgusted and appalled by the blood-drinking as the fussbudget herself probably was.

Three cheers for careful reading. Hip, hip, hoorauuuugghhh.

[BradyH1861]

I have never received hate mail, per se, but I have had a few complaints filed against me. Ahhh, the joys of public service. Of course, I was always innocent of the charges and falsely accused! Ha ha ha If you believe that, then I have a bridge to sell you.


Brady H.

[SJB]

Despite his threats, nothing ever came of --- Wait! What's that noise? What's that shadow at the bedroom window? ---- BANG! Arrrghhh....

Oh, wait. That was the TV. Whew.

Your TV lurks outside your bedroom window, Katdad? :confused:

[PattiTheWicked]

but we all get it on occasion. I write for a local paper, and when I do my OpEd pieces, I inevitably get a few letters, either pro or con. Most of the people who disagree with me tell my I just need Jesus in my life, and that's the extent of the letter, but every once in a while I get a few really scathing ones.

I try to respond to all of them, even the nutcases. Just as a piece of nasty mail means 'at least someone's reading my column', a letter back from me tells the writer 'at least someone read my complaint.' I generally use something simple, like, "Thanks for your input regarding my recent column on Blah Blah Blah. I appreciate your sharing your ideas with me, it does give me something to think about. Sincerely..."

Of course, I don't really tell them WHAT it makes me think about. I just think it's nice to acknowledge someone's letter. Just because they may be nasty doesn't mean I need to be.

[AncientEagle]

I read somewhere that Somerset Maugham had a standard written response to all critical letters he received:

"Dear Sir:
You may be right.

Sincerely,

W. Somerset Maugham"

[katdad]

Your TV lurks outside your bedroom window, Katdad? :confused:
Well, not exactly. It was a finger of speech, a fignewton of the imagination.

[katdad]

I write and post fanfiction, and nothing... NOTHING... attracts the crazies like fanfiction.

Of that, I'm certain. I did however receive a strange fan letter one time.

I'd written an article for a national gun mag on how to begin with your shooting hobby. Most gun articles are written from an expert's standpoint, so I took a different tack, approached the subject on behalf of novices.

In the article I described how I'd taken my girlfriend shooting for her first time, and had introduced her to gun safety and all. It was about introducing target shooting (and perhaps self-defense shooting) to an interested beginner. And the article was mostly factual, embellished a bit to make a point, but generally truthful. My girlfriend made suggestions, too.

This was written under one of my pen names, which turned out to be a good thing.

As most magazines do, they forwarded all the mail I received on the article. Most was lauditory, some was critical and pointed out the differences of opinion, which was fine.

And then there was this one letter. It was from this guy in Tennessee. He and his girlfriend were looking for "shooting partners" but it went way beyond that.

He sent me (and my girlfriend, through me) polaroid pics of him and his girlfriend shooting guns in the nude! Further, he'd made some sort of S&M "harnesses" to hold several pistols in holsters across his private parts, and across hers. He gave me his address, included a map, and wanted my home address and phone. Wanted us to get together.

My girlfriend was quite svelte, but I'm a chunky guy, so I try not to be to critical about large people, but this guy and his gal were so big they could bend light.

Run away! Run away!

We hung onto those photos for a while, mostly from morbid fascination. Finally we shredded & burned them. The guy wrote 3-4 more letters via the gun mag, asking them for my home address, but naturally the mag never complied.

Brrr.

[mdin]

That is the most hysterical thing I've ever read on this board. :roll:

[Trapped in amber]

:eek:

:ROFL:

[katdad]

That is the most hysterical thing I've ever read on this board. :roll:
There's a coda to this.

About a month after my girlfriend & I had laughed ourselves silly about the goofy letter, and made as many jokes as we could about it, it sort of died down. And therefore my girlfriend knew I was vulnerable.

One evening, I was sitting in the living room, reading a magazine, and she called to me: "Honey?" I turned and she was standing the doorway to the bedroom, stark naked, wearing only a belt and a pistol in a holster, the holster rotated around to cover her in front.

"I've changed my mind. Let's head for Tennessee tonight!"

I fell off my chair laughing. She was a great gal, wicked sense of humor.

[BradyH1861]

One evening, I was sitting in the living room, reading a magazine, and she called to me: "Honey?" I turned and she was standing the doorway to the bedroom, stark naked, wearing only a belt and a pistol in a holster, the holster rotated around to cover her in front.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think she'd mind maybe talking to my wife and giving her some pointers? :D I tried something like that once. My wife came home from school and I was sitting at the top of the stairs wearing nothing but my fire helmet and boots. It backfired. All she did was laugh hysterically.

Brady H.

[maestrowork]

wearing nothing but my fire helmet and boots. It backfired. All she did was laugh hysterically.



Must have been the hose...

(sorry, can't resist)

[Kasey Mackenzie]

*giggles helplessly as she pictures her husband meeting her at the door with nothing but computer wires wrapped around him* Ahem...can't imagine why on earth a wife might laugh at such a thing! ;)

[BradyH1861]

Must have been the hose...

(sorry, can't resist)

I fear you may be right!

Brady H.

[LisaHa]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think she'd mind maybe talking to my wife and giving her some pointers? :D I tried something like that once. My wife came home from school and I was sitting at the top of the stairs wearing nothing but my fire helmet and boots. It backfired. All she did was laugh hysterically.

Brady H.

Brady, finding a fireman naked at the top of my stairs sounds like heaven! I would certainly NOT be laughing! <going into daydream mode>;)

L x

[BradyH1861]

Hate to ruin the daydream, but as my wife will certainly tell you, we aint all that!

But we do like to think so and to perpetuate the myth.

Brady H.

[LisaHa]

Hate to ruin the daydream, but as my wife will certainly tell you, we aint all that!

But we do like to think so and to perpetuate the myth.

Brady H.

<fingers in ears "la la la"> You'll be telling me next that cowboys aren't all gorgeous hunks just waiting to sweep me off my feet and carry me into the sunset!:confused:

[Puddle Jumper]

Ignoring people like that is best. Here's my take on things. People who will take time to write a rude or nasty letter to someone famous (ie book author) has way too much time on their hand and is probably just bored and feel they might get more of a response out of a person if they make a horrible accusation than if they send a letter saying how wonderful they think something is. The chances are you'll never convince them any different and by responding, you could be opening pandora's box. Just thoughts. :)

[katdad]

Do you think she'd mind maybe talking to my wife
Let me sadly report that my girlfriend is no longer among us. A cruel wind that's blown through my life more than I'd care to imagine. But enough of this.

[katdad]

until it tended towards more serious and/or specific threats, at which point I would then inform them
Regardless of my earlier light regard about the threatening letter I'd once received about my book review, I'm of a different mind now.

Any actual threat should be taken straight to the police, and dealt with appropriately -- ie, press charges and sign the paperwork.

In today's climate the receipt of threats cannot be taken lightly.

[bikrpreacher]

I never received hate mail...until now with this battle with PublishAmerica and I must say, I do not like it, and have a tendency to want to hit back. I suppose I will learn, but I don't even like seeing my name mention on the PA board in a bad way, I just really hate it.

[BradyH1861]

Regardless of my earlier light regard about the threatening letter I'd once received about my book review, I'm of a different mind now.

Any actual threat should be taken straight to the police, and dealt with appropriately -- ie, press charges and sign the paperwork.

In today's climate the receipt of threats cannot be taken lightly.

I definitely concur. One cannot be too careful these days. In many cases such as this, the police will not in all likelihood do anything, but as long as a report is on file, then it is documented. There are a lot of crazies out there, believe me, I deal with them every day. Taking precautions can prevent a letter from escalating into something more sinister.

Brady H.

[preyer]

it should be noted, too, that hate mail has a long and interesting history. back in the day when authors hated one another, they'd take their vitriol to the nearest newspaper or literary digest that would print their pointed barbs towards another peer. the difference was their hate bordered on literature sometimes. hate e-mail... how can you be afraid of that? now, if hate mail comes to my house via certified letter, well, now, that's another story.

why does someone have to be uber-religious to believe harry potter is evil? after all, it *does* say right there in the bible not to practice witchcraft (which, i believe, sorcery is implied there, eh?) lest ye be killed. yeah, it says to kill witches. not making this stuff up. it also says it's a sin to bear false witness, and how many times does the 'good guy' lie and deceive authority figures? ya know, if you're going to believe in the bible, you just can't pick and choose which parts are convenient, it's an all or nothing deal. hypocritically, a lot of so-called christians believe whatever fantasy makes them happy and that's going to get them through the pearly gates. good luck.

just glad to be agnostic. :)

[mdin]

Speaking of Harry Potter, this (http://www.elektron.pl/ks-jacek/Harry%20Potter%20Books%20Spark%20Rise%20In%20Satan ism%20Among%20Children.htm) article from The Onion sparked outrage amongst certain easily-fooled people.

[katdad]

In many cases such as this, the police will not in all likelihood do anything, but as long as a report is on file, then it is documented.

You'd be surprised. If you have credible threat evidence (an email with a verifiable return address, or a written letter), and actual physical harm is implied, the police take it very seriously indeed.

Understand, what I'm talking about here is not just some rant or cursing. The person might call you every name in the book and not break the law. But if you receive an actual threat, it should be dealt with by the cops, immediately.

What gets the cops moving is your own willingness to press charges if necessary. They don't want to go thru the motions and then end up with your backing off.

But if you show intent to follow up, they will also. If the person is local, they will likely pay a visit to this person or at least make a formal phone call. If out of town, they'll get the other cops to do the same.

It's unlikely they will refer the matter to the county prosecutor to file criminal charges on that first occurrence, unless the threat is severe. "I'd like to kick your butt!" is taken differently from "I'm gonna cut your throat!"

First they'll run the person's ID (and yours too, of course) to verify that there's no prior history between you -- and there had better not be -- the cops HATE someone trying to use their power to get back at "the guy who stole your girlfriend", or some such. If the threat was made from someone with a record of crimes, this may warrant a visit. Parole can be revoked, and other things brought to bear.

But the threat is 95% likely it's just some idiot who's simply spouting off and got overboard. Receiving a phone call from "Detective Wilson, crimes against persons division" will put the fear of god in them, and most likely you'll never hear from them again.

But as you say, there will be a complaint on file. So if it happens again, the cops will nail that person. They take threats seriously, too.

It's also comforting to know that you've got your handy Mossberg shotgun or Ruger pistol at the house, just in case. Ya never know.

[TashaGoddard]

It's also comforting to know that you've got your handy Mossberg shotgun or Ruger pistol at the house, just in case. Ya never know.

Really? Statements like that really scare me. And I'm fairly sure they have contributed to my unwillingness to visit the US. My cousin has lived over there for a number of years now, is married to an American and has a new baby. I would really like to go and visit her and meet the new member of the family. I also have a lot of friends over there, who I'd like to meet, as well as a great uncle and a whole bunch of second and third cousins. But whenever I consider the idea of a trip across the pond, I start picturing all the guns. And all the people who die from guns. Watching shows like ER, where GSWs are two-a-penny, probably doesn't help. I imagine they may exagerate the problem for dramatic effect.

Personally, if there were a gun in my house, I would not be comforted, but would live in fear of accidents. And, yes, even if I had received death threats, I think I would still feel that. What if your neighbour came home really drunk, and tried to come into your house instead of their own? In your sleep-induced state (and in fear of your life), you automatically reach for your gun and you end up killing them. What if your brother decides to pay a surprise visit? You get home from work/the shops and see a light on that you know you didn't leave on. You go for your gun, because you're living in constant fear of the death-threat. You see a shadow move at the end of the hallway, and you shoot. You just killed your brother.

There are plenty of defence mechanisms that aren't so fatal. Knock them over the head with a frying pan, render them unconscious and then call the police. Or, hey, how about just running the hell out of there and calling the police to deal with it? Taking another life if is a big thing. The fact that it is so easy to do in the US, a supposedly civilised country that much of the world looks to as an example, is very worrying.

[Sorry. Different culture and all that. Perhaps if I had grown up there, I would think differently.]

[SJB]

Well, not exactly. It was a finger of speech, a fignewton of the imagination.

Durn. It was a good image, anyway! There've been killer computers (Space Odyssey 2000) and killer plants (The Day of the Triffids) and killer just about everything, but there haven't been any psycho TV sets, have there? Unless you count... oh no, I've done it again, I've managed to call to mind Ringu after midnight :eek:...

[Moondancer]

Unless you've been threatened, I'd ignore it no matter how well written it is. The person obviously didn't "get it" . She/he projected onto you some of their own issues is all.

[cwfgal]

[Sorry. Different culture and all that. Perhaps if I had grown up there, I would think differently.]

I have grown up here and my sentiments on the matter match yours. As an ER nurse I've seen what guns can do to a human body and I've also seen the frightening disregard for human life that tends to permeate some gun-loving segments of society (not that that is the gun's fault, but I do think the prevalence of guns and the ease with which they can be obtained plays a critical role). I've seen tragic accidental deaths (often children) and horrifying intentional deaths. There have been shootings in the waiting rooms of ERs in two hospitals where I worked.

I have also met some very responsible gun owners. In fact, living here in Wisconsin where hunting and fishing are a way of life for many, I'm surrounded by lots of gun owners, both responsible and not. Personally I hate guns, but I haven't always felt that way. Those feelings have evolved over years of seeing the devastation they can cause.

I also know that debating the gun issues in this country always leads to a heated debate where neither side ever quite sees the other's POV. So let me try to steer this discussion back on course by saying that this topic raises an interesting question for me.

Since I write suspense thrillers, guns do, at times, factor into my story lines. But I tend to try to avoid them as much as possible and when they do appear, they often do so as a "villain" rather than a good guy. I guess in that regard I use my fiction as a bit of a soapbox--not that I lecture on the matter at all. I don't. But I suppose there is a subtle message in there. Thoughts on that anyone??

Beth

[Nateskate]

I write and post fanfiction, and nothing...NOTHING...attracts the crazies like fanfiction.

I've gotten all kinds of angry, weird, and abusive emails.

I'll never understand that? Here's what bothers me about the snobbery I've seen. Probably a third of the fantasy world is writing a sequel to either LOTR, Star Wars, or Star Trek. They put their phasers on stun, and the Dwarves and Elves make their battle plans.

All they do is put another spin, and change the name of their ship, their world, and their characters. But all in all, it's the same story.

In my mind, I believe that J.R.R. was very strict in terms of staying true to his vision. However, he loved speculation and in fact joined in speculating about what happened next, and what age of Arda we were in now. As long as they didn't tamper with his history, I'd think he would have loved seeing someone's ideas about the future of the world he created. But again, you'll run into the fanfick haters who would never accept that. I had a very credible idea for a "What happened next", but saw so much hostility for fanfick, that I decided not to bother. But it's a shame, because I do believe it would have been a great story, even a future movie.

[BradyH1861]

Since I write suspense thrillers, guns do, at times, factor into my story lines. But I tend to try to avoid them as much as possible and when they do appear, they often do so as a "villain" rather than a good guy. I guess in that regard I use my fiction as a bit of a soapbox--not that I lecture on the matter at all. I don't. But I suppose there is a subtle message in there. Thoughts on that anyone??

Beth,

First let me thank you for performing a thankless job. There is a special place in heaven for ER nurses. As a firefighter/emt, I have dealt with some true saints in scrubs after my near career ending injury. If it hadn't have been for their support, I would not have made it through. Even though they usually conspired to hurt me with sundry needles and probings. :whip:

Anyway, enough of the touchy feely (it isnt my personality type).

You raise an interesting issue here. I find myself doing the same thing, but with alcohol. I am a gun owner, and yes, I have seen more than my share of gun related incidents. I own one because of all the wackos I've dealt with over the years. However, I have also seen the devestation wrought by alcohol. To me, that is the big social evil. In my musings, it is usually only the "villian" type characters that drink, not ever the good guys. I do not do it with the intent of being on a soapbox either. I guess it is subconcious maybe? I don't know. I'd be very interested to hear how many other people have similar things happen in their writing.

And let me say for the record, lest I be flamed. I have no problem with people who drink. I can still be your friend. I am married to an alcoholic and it has nearly wrecked my marriage, but she is recovering now. And I am part of a profession where drinking is almost a badge of honor, so I am a lone wolf in that sense. So I am frequently around alcohol. I choose not to partake, that's all. I am sometimes haunted by the ghosts of those I have seen come to a tragic end, and many of those incidents were cause by the "demon rum" to use a 19th century word. But anyway, as Beth made an interesting point and I'd like to hear if others have similar issues in their writing.

:Soapbox:

No reason for the icon, I just like it!

Brady H.

[TashaGoddard]

I think if you have strong feelings about something, it's bound to come across in your writing to some extent. I'm a vegetarian (3rd generation) and most of my protaganists are, too. Not in a preachy way. Just in the way they never happen to eat meat. That's probably more to do with the fact that I don't have any experience eating it or cooking it, so would have trouble giving a realistic description. There are other views that I tend to instil in my characters, too - though I try very hard not to put them all in the main protaganist (otherwise I'd just be writing an autobiography!). For example, my 'good' characters tend to be liberal and my 'bad' characters often conservative. These days there also seems to be some aspect of mental illness that comes in - whether it's in a central character or just a small incident that the characters are commenting on (because two close family members have had trouble with mental illness recently and the problems with how the authorities deal with this are paramount in my thoughts). Oh yes, and my (modern) protaganists tend to use public transport a lot (I don't drive and have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about there being far too many cars on the road).

As long as it doesn't come across as preachy, I don't think it's something to worry about too much (that's just me, though).

And I'll echo what Brady said... Thank you Beth for doing such an important and often thankless job. I've had to go to A&E (ER) twice in the last two years and both times the nurses were fantastic (as were the paramedics; the doctors not so much, but maybe that's just down to time-constraints).

[katdad]

>>What if your brother decides to pay a surprise visit?<<

This isn't the place for a lengthy discussion about armed self defense, but since you went to some length to explain your position, I'll do the same.

If you're a pacifist I have no objection to your personal choice. But if you're not a pacifist, and would defend yourself if you feared for your life or the life of your loved ones, the equation changes. You should be aware that gun-related crimes have more than doubled in England lately. There's an adage that if guns are illegal, only the criminals will have guns. Maybe it's true.

A skillet? Right. "Oh, mister killer? Would you please stand there a minute and don't shoot me or my child. I'll just nip off to the kitchen and get a skillet. Now, if you'll please bend over a bit..."

The famed gun writer Jeff Cooper formulated 4 rules of gun safety, and if they were followed, there would be virtually no accidental shootings:
1- Always assume a gun is loaded unless you've personally checked it.
2- Never point a gun at something you're not prepared to destroy.
3- Never put your finger inside the trigger guard until you're on target.
4- Always be sure of your target.

Rule #4 is significant to your scenario.

As for protection, I have personally rescued two separate women (both total strangers) who were being beaten to death by crazed assailants. I was able to do this because I was armed. Or, I could have simply turned away and mailed a complaint letter to the UN, I suppose.

And on a much smaller level of threat, I have, on at least three occasions, kept muggers from beating the hell out of me because I was able to produce a pistol.

On none of these occasions was a shot fired. I'm highly trained with firearms and practice careful gun safety. Guns don't "go off" by themselves, and responsible gun ownership is essential. Fearing an accident is equivalent to being afraid of knives in the kitchen drawer. Eeek! Someone could get cut!

On that point, I'm adamant about people making a conscious decision to have a gun, and to therefore practice safety with that gun. I've taught quite a few people about this, and written numerous articles about it.

Most fear comes from ignorance or lack of self control. The unknown is fearful, and if someone is 'afraid' of guns, it's clear that gun ownership is not something to be considered.

You tell us that your good guys are vegetarians, take the bus, and are liberals. Your bad guys eat steak, have Jags (that's a type of evil automobile, for the uninitiate), and are conservatives.

In my opinion, that's preaching. I try to make my characters as unique as possible, and to have them well-rounded.

My private detective protagonist has a degree in history with a minor in fine arts. He's thoroughly versed in literature, educated in classics, classical music, and modern art. He also carries a gun. His homicide detective pal has season tickets to the opera, and drives a used Porsche. But both of them are capable of violence.

I try not to write with an agenda, however. My protagonist doesn't go blazing away at baddies, and there aren't bodies littering the landscape.

Were I to embed my fiction with some of my personal beliefs, my good guys would all be conservative Republicans, and my baddies would be slack-jawed robot-voting Democrats. But that would be trite, ignorant, and stupid. I try not to preach in my fiction because that's not the place for a sermon.

We can debate gun ownership at length in an off-topic section in this forum. A long gun debate doesn't belong here. If you wish, let me know.

[BradyH1861]

Katdad,

All I can say is Amen!

As daddy said "Dont ever point a gun at someone you do not intend to shoot, and do not ever shoot at someone you do not intend to kill."

Perhaps writers and guns would be a good thread in the off topic forum. I'd be all for hearing other points of view!

Brady H.

[maestrowork]

Unfortunately, so many people who operate guns don't know how to.

If you write bad prose, you won't kill someone (*okay, maybe... by rarely*)

But if you handle a gun wrong, the result can be disastrous.

Some people don't understand that concept. That's why children get shot every day.

I always wonder, why do we need to pass a test and get a license before we can drive a car, but we don't if we want to buy and operate a gun?

[cwfgal]

First let me thank you for performing a thankless job. There is a special place in heaven for ER nurses. ...<snipped>... Even though they usually conspired to hurt me with sundry needles and probings.


I actually get thanked quite often by my patients. Unfortunately, I also get cursed at, hit at, spat at, and have other atrocities attempted or carried out on me with some regularity. It's one of the reasons I love the job...you just never know what's going to come through that door next. The other reason I love my job is those probings and needles you mentioned...heh...heh. (And being an EMT or fireperson is often a thankless job as well.)

You raise an interesting issue here. I find myself doing the same thing, but with alcohol.

And drugs, and animal abuse, and....you can go on forever with everyone picking their pet cause. I'm an animal lover to the nth degree. I have a half dozen pets, have done animal rescue, have volunteered at pet shelters, and was "arrested" at the age of 12 for beating the ever-loving crap out of a kid who poured gasoline on a dog and set it on fire (the kid spent a week in the hospital). Yet I had a reader who literally screamed at me in the middle of a bookstore signing once because I let the dog in my first novel get shot (Spoiler: the dog doesn't die, but this reader didn't know that at the time because she became so incensed she couldn't read any further--or so she screamed.)

In one regard I think it's fun to write fiction because you can do things you wouldn't otherwise do in real life. But I also find myself embedding a lot of my own beliefs and values in my work in one way or another and wonder how many other writers do it and are conscious of doing it.

Beth

[cwfgal]

In my opinion, that's preaching. I try to make my characters as unique as possible, and to have them well-rounded..

Are all your characters well-rounded? (And if they are all well-rounded, how unique can they be?) Don't you ever have any hardline characters or characters with vehement (perhaps even misguided) beliefs? Do you ever use your fiction to explore and/or support the side of an argument or debate that you don't agree with? If so, do you think you did it convincingly?

(These questions are directed at anyone, not just Katdad--it's just that his post prompted the questions in my mind.)

I try not to write with an agenda, however. My protagonist doesn't go blazing away at baddies, and there aren't bodies littering the landscape.

Would it be wrong to have a protag who blazes away and bodies littering the landscape? I've read books that have such elements and I don't automatically assume that the writer is pro-gun because of it. How often does your agenda(s) slip into your writing without you being aware of it?

Beth

[reph]

Fearing an accident is equivalent to being afraid of knives in the kitchen drawer. Eeek! Someone could get cut!

Katdad, that's an exaggeration. A child who finds a knife and doesn't know the rules of "knife safety" might hurt himself, but he's very unlikely to kill another child with it. Not so with guns.

[johnnycannuk]

I always wonder, why do we need to pass a test and get a license before we can drive a car, but we don't if we want to buy and operate a gun?

Actually, up here in the Great White North, that's exactly how we do it. No gun licence unless you pass a gun safety course. Our per capita gun ownership is much greater than in the US but we have very little (compared to the US) gun violence, accidental or otherwsie.

But I don't want this to digress into a gun-control fight...we're talking about writing, right? Just thought you guys would like to know advocating gun-control is not synonymous with banning them and that there is a middle ground - this is not a black and white issue and shouldn't be laid out as such in our writing...


Mike

[Trapped in amber]

Even though they usually conspired to hurt me with sundry needles and probings. :whip:



Brady, surely that was the aliens again?
:poke:

(we don't have a probing smiley)

[maestrowork]

We can always split the gun talk treads to TIO, if it gets heavy... Ha ha.

I agree though, everytime I talk about gun control, people think I'm advocating gun ban. No, no. I own a gun, for cryin' out loud. I just don't want any Joe Blow who has $200 in his pocket to get a gun, then shoot his neighbor or son because he doesn't know how to use it. Like I said, we're free to buy and operate a car -- but not until we pass safety tests. I think it should be the case with guns. Nobody says you can't have a gun -- but you'd better know how to use it and use it responsibly.

<Maestro, kindly step off your soapbox. Now!>

As for writing... what are we talking about again? This is a thread about hate mail... oh yeah, shooting someone who hates me, right?

I'm all for it. Bwuahahahaha.

I don't like preachiness. But I do like it when an author teaches me something, beyond telling me a good story. I mean, if after reading a story I get a sense of why being a vegetarian is a good thing, so be it. I'll be glad to listen. But don't whack me in the head with a 2x4. Also, if every good character is certain way, and every bad character is another way -- IMHO, it's lazy writing, stereotypes, flat characterization. Your characters should be human first, and not just objects that fit well into predefined boxes. For example, in a great political satire, not all Republicans are selfish snobs, and not all Democrats are whiny liberals. When you shy away from these stereotypes, that's when your characters and story become real and interesting... me think.

This post seems to go in all direction... so I'd better stop and take a nap.

[BradyH1861]

Brady, surely that was the aliens again?
:poke:

(we don't have a probing smiley)

I for one am glad we do not have a probing smiley.

Brady H.

[TashaGoddard]

Oops. Didn't mean to start a war. Sorry. Gun control is obviously something people feel very strongly about and, as has already been said, perhaps it be taken to TIO, if anyone wants to continue the discussion.

On the writing side of things...
Katdad, you said...
You tell us that your good guys are vegetarians, take the bus, and are liberals. Your bad guys eat steak, have Jags (that's a type of evil automobile, for the uninitiate), and are conservatives.

In my opinion, that's preaching. Yup. That would be preaching if it was as clear-cut as that. I was just commenting that some of my own beliefs or experiences tend to creep into my writing. I think it's hard to avoid that completely. However, it is never at the forefront (I hope) and quite often you wouldn't know, for example, that X is vegetarian - it's just there in the background (in the stuff that I know, but the reader doesn't really need to). I have never written a character who is anti-cars, or in fact who clearly doesn't drive a car. Cars are driven. Public transport does come in because a) plenty of people do use it and b) lots of interesting/funny/tense/annoyin/etc. stuff happens on public transport. More so than when a character is sitting in their car listening to the radio. I also have 'good' characters whose view do not entirely mesh with my own. (As I said before, I'm not writing an autobiograph - my characters aren't me.)

When I was younger (still at school, in fact), I did write a fair bit of preachy stuff. And it was all pretty awful. One idea I had (which, at the time, I thought was brilliant) was a YA novel with a bunch of kids who would meet up after school in the rec (playground/park - place with swings and slides?) and each chapter would have them arguing about some topic. Abortion. Animal rights. Death penalty. And so on. Eek! There was no plot, no storyline, nothing. And, of course, one of the characters always talked the others round to her point of view. I'm sure you can guess who she was based on.

I hope that now I'm older and (maybe a little bit wiser), I have learnt to write stories with the primary purpose of entertaining. I work in educational publishing, so I really don't feel the need to write to educate (or preach) anymore. But, some stuff does creep in unconsciously. No doubt quite a lot of it will be sacrificed to the red pen. But a little bit may still seep through. As long as none of the readers feel preached at and as long as lots of readers get a few hours' enjoyment out of it, I'll be happy.

maestrowork, you said:
I don't like preachiness. But I do like it when an author teaches me something, beyond telling me a good story.
I sometimes like it too, though I try not to do it myself. I love Faye Kellerman's books, which have taught me lots and lots about Jewish culture, while at the same time entertaining me. I also quite liked The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency because of all the background information about Africa. I don't want to become a Jew, nor do I want to go and live in Africa. But I enjoy the glimpses I have been given of these different viewpoints/places.

And this has completely lost the topic this thread. Sorry, it's all my fault.

[BradyH1861]

And this has completely lost the topic this thread. Sorry, it's all my fault.

Tasha,

I can only speak for myself here, but provoking thought is never something to apologize for. I forget who it was that said the unexamined life is not worth living. You might also say that the unexamined views are not worth having. A lively (though civilized) debate is never something to be sorry for. And though this was not the original topic of the thread, perhaps we have all learned something or taken something away from the discussion. So dont feel bad!

And John Wayne once said "Never apologize. It is a sign of weakness." I cant remember what movie that was in. But anyway, I would not recommend quoting that to your spouse if you mess up! My wife very nearly took the frying pan of which you mentioned to the side of my head the last time I quoted that line.

Brady H.

[TashaGoddard]

Hmm. I say 'sorry' all the time. My husband used to get very annoyed about it, but I think he's come to terms with it now. (He may well be a fan of that quote, though. It's not a common word for him. Maybe it's a male/female thing?)

Thanks, I'll try not to feel bad.

[Mistook]

When I started my WIP, guns were the furthest thing from my mind, but now that it's well underway, I find that there's a gun or a reference to a shooting in every chapter, and much of the plot is driven forward by characters holding guns.


One thing I'm finding happen naturally is that the way a gun is used depends on the character. Some of the good guys have guns. Some don't. Some of the bad guys don't have them and some do.

I have a cop who puts his hand on a holster to get two guys to behave. I have gangsters performing drive-by shootings in the neighborhood. I have a private detective who carries a gun, but never uses it. I have a bad guy who doesn't know how to use a gun, so he brings an armed guard along with him in one scene to hold a gun for him.

----------

As for political bias, I'm more or less a liberal, but in the book, one of the key protagonists is a conservative judge, and the most dastardly villain of all happpens to be a very liberal rock & roll mogul. Same for rich and poor. Some of the greatest good guys are filthy rich, and some of the worst bad guys are dirt-poor.

------------

As for drugs and alcohol, again, it's the same thing as with money and guns, they are used by both good and bad guys, and it's the character in question who determines whether the drugs are bad or good.

[katdad]

Unfortunately, so many people who operate guns don't know how to. etc...

I'm in agreement with you, maestro. I'm 100% for private gun ownership but I would really be in favor of some modest NRA-sponsored gun safety training for new gun purchasers. It doesn't take much -- just a few rules and an hour or two will do it.

I myself have spent many hours teaching people about gun safety, and felt that I was doing everyone a service. I've also written quite a few articles on the subject. Hopefully I've helped someone. I know that several people have looked me up for advice and training. I'm glad to help.

Most of the awful accidental shootings involve some kid getting his hands on "Uncle Ernie's" pistol that is stuck under the bed. Thankfully these adults are now being prosecuted for child endangerment. That closing the barn door afterward, but people have to be sent a message.

[katdad]

Since I write suspense thrillers, guns do, at times, factor into my story lines. But I tend to try to avoid them as much as possible and when they do appear, they often do so as a "villain" rather than a good guy. I guess in that regard I use my fiction as a bit of a soapbox--not that I lecture on the matter at all. I don't. But I suppose there is a subtle message in there. Thoughts on that anyone?? Beth

Sure -- let me offer my two cents...

If you're writing a romance or mainstream book, guns can be tossed off as only used by bad guys. But in a thriller, that's simply not the case. You can include an occasional gun use by either bad or good guy, and simply not make it an issue, but a modest part of the story line, and not preaching.

Preaching comes out strong, even if we the writers think it's subtle. It interrupts the flow of the narrative every time.

I make no bones about being pro-gun ownership. But I detach myself from that and use no agenda in my private detective novels. My stories are not the Mike Hammer type, no "blazing gats".

My detective carries a gun but has used it only on rare occasion. He uses his brains and perseverance instead. He's an investigator after all. In my books, some idiot has used a gun to shoot someone during an argument, and this is decried by the cops as stupid. In another incident, a cop defended himself from being shot by a drug dealer by shooting back. This was a "good shoot".

So in my books, guns are neither good nor bad, but just a tool, like my PI's laptop or his long-lens camera. My plots do involve guns, but guns don't become a major part of the story, and I don't glorify them. They're simply a part of the background fabric of modern big-city life, especially for a crime novel.

My recommendation is that you avoid proselytizing because that will deaden your otherwise excellent narrative. When we stop to deliver a sermon, readers tune out.

You don't need to make guns an issue either way -- think of them as a neutral thing. Remember that a scalpel can be a weapon or a saving thing. Guns the same. Just de-tune the use of guns in your thriller if you wish, making them of lesser importance than brains. Your audience will buy that nicely.

Myself the same -- however pro-gun I may be, I would not use my novel as a platform to wave the flag. My objective is to entertain by telling a brisk, interesting and lively story.

[katdad]

Are all your characters well-rounded? (And if they are all well-rounded, how unique can they be?) Don't you ever have any hardline characters or characters with vehement (perhaps even misguided) beliefs? Do you ever use your fiction to explore and/or support the side of an argument or debate that you don't agree with? If so, do you think you did it convincingly?

Good questions! No, my private detective "Mitchell King" is not well rounded. He's highly educated and smart, but he's a fool, and slowly comes to realize this. He's a warped individual, full of conflict and anguish, with seething rage at his failures, most of which he refuses to even recognize. You're welcome to read about him on my website:

http://www.waas.us/mysteries.html

Maybe the most sedate and "nice guy" is my secondary character, Detective David Meierhoff. He plays Horatio to the private detective's Hamlet (or Othello). Meierhoff is equally intelligent and educated, but he's a well-adjusted young man.

Yes I do have some awful and nasty characters in my books, too. Each of my novels has a specific theme. In the first, it's sexual obsession. We see this in several ways, and it leads to murder, stalking, and other stuff. Homosexuality is also dealt with, including some outright hatred for gays.

The second novel is about failure of the family unit, and in this we have molestation and similar evils. Both books are pretty grim.

I have some outright nasty criminals, a few amoral hard-hitters, some bad cops, mostly good ones, plus indifferent folks of every color and stripe. I try to make my characters a cross-section of reality.

My 3rd novel, in progress, is about patriotism, and how it can be amped up into zenophobia and racial hatred.

Would it be wrong to have a protag who blazes away and bodies littering the landscape? I've read books that have such elements and I don't automatically assume that the writer is pro-gun because of it. How often does your agenda(s) slip into your writing without you being aware of it? Beth

A "shoot first" protag isn't my style. (You'll see this if you read my Mysteries webpage.) My intent is to create a character as realistic as possible, and real-life private investigators aren't blazing away -- they'd end up without a license and probably in jail.

I've had a few actual private detectives tell me that my protagonist is the most accurate representation of what it's really like that they've ever read.

I'm sure my personal beliefs slide into my writing -- that's inevitable -- but I don't set out to make a point -- instead I try to create unforced, realistic characters and situations.

[pepperlandgirl]

I'll never understand that? Here's what bothers me about the snobbery I've seen. Probably a third of the fantasy world is writing a sequel to either LOTR, Star Wars, or Star Trek. They put their phasers on stun, and the Dwarves and Elves make their battle plans.

All they do is put another spin, and change the name of their ship, their world, and their characters. But all in all, it's the same story.

In my mind, I believe that J.R.R. was very strict in terms of staying true to his vision. However, he loved speculation and in fact joined in speculating about what happened next, and what age of Arda we were in now. As long as they didn't tamper with his history, I'd think he would have loved seeing someone's ideas about the future of the world he created. But again, you'll run into the fanfick haters who would never accept that. I had a very credible idea for a "What happened next", but saw so much hostility for fanfick, that I decided not to bother. But it's a shame, because I do believe it would have been a great story, even a future movie.

Oh, the hatemail didn't come from people who are opposed to fanfic in general. The hate mail came from people who didn't like the story I was telling. For some odd reason, there are many readers in my fandom who truly believe I am writing for them personally. Therefore, when I write something they don't appreciate, or didn't want, or varies from what they expected, they are very vocal about it.

One time I replied with a simple quote from "A Hard Day's Night." From the late, great George Harrison: "I don't care."

Never got another reply from that particular person.

[Denis Castellan]

I never got any hate mail myself but I think that not being published is an explanation to the fact :)

Considering guns, there's a saying that goes "Guns don't kill. People do." and I'd quite agree with that. But! it's funny to notice you need to pass an exam to drive a car, and not for owning a gun.

British people say "my tuppence", don't they ?

[SJB]

British people say "my tuppence", don't they ?

By George, they do, jolly what, tally ho, old chap.

Such larks.

[HConn]

... you need to pass an exam to drive a car, and not for owning a gun.

Many people are afraid that gun registration is the first step to confiscating them. If the government becomes onerous, it will have a list of citizens who are armed and better able to resist.

As for hate mail, if it's lunatic ranting, I'd ignore it. If it's rational but misguided, I'd respond calmly and sensibly. It's a chance to hold on to a reader.

[katdad]

For some odd reason, there are many readers in my fandom who truly believe I am writing for them personally.
That's very perceptive! And true.

And not just in fanfic. In reviewing my short stories and screenplays over in the Zoetrope forum, some people seemed put out that I didn't have the story come out the way they wanted.

They didn't criticize the way it was done or the quality of the writing. They seemed to want a different story. It was hilarious.

One of my screenplays deals with a mysterious artifact being dug up from an Anasazi site in Arizona. Nobody knows what the object is all about. Later it's discovered that the artifact was a war trophy taken from a dead Spanish soldier, and the artifact an ancient evil legend.

One critic was very angry, and wanted the story to be all about the modern Navajo and not to have the plot switch that introduced Hebraic legend.

I told him that he had my permission to write his own script about the Navajo.

[glutton]

Okay, not exactly mail, but a reader commented that he stopped reading my story after the first sentence because my FIRST PERSON NARRATOR CALLED AN ENEMY EVIL. So apparently, characters aren't allowed to think of someone as evil.

Needless to say, I was very annoyed.

[Button]

Just a comment, my own thought for people who send 'hate mail' about the book would be this suggestion.

"If you are not happy with the book, please return it to the bookstore for a refund."

I mean, what else is there to say? Didn't like the book? Don't read it! No brainer!

Bookstores give refunds, don't they? I've not returned books.

[Maryn]

(Sniff!) This recently-revived thread reminded me that I miss Brady... Anybody ever hear from him?

[arrowqueen]

I spoke to him on MSN about a month ago and he sounded quite cheerful. He's visting his brother, so he's got limited computer access - but if I see him again, I'll tell him you were asking for him.

[HapiSofi]

Hate mail means they cared. They didn't like what you did, but they cared about it.

Or, it can mean they're a fruitcake. Take your pick.

[badducky]

Nothing ticks off the enemies of the past like forgetting their name. "Oh, hey... You... I'm sorry, what was your name again?"


People who hate you want to make an impression. Obviously this one did (Original Post).

My vote is annoying form letter.

Some of the dumbest people I've evr met were articulate. Heck, Hitler managed to get a book published. And he was the original Hitler.

[AOD23]

Some of the dumbest people I've evr met were articulate. Heck, Hitler managed to get a book published. And he was the original Hitler.

Granted I dont know when it was that his book was published, but if it was after his coming to power in Germany, I'd think that might have something to do with it.

[Vomaxx]

Granted I dont know when it was that his book was published, but if it was after his coming to power in Germany, I'd think that might have something to do with it.

Mein Kampf was published in 1925, eight years before Hitler became Chancellor, but it was published by the Nazi Party publishing house. He wrote it while in prison. It did not attract much attention until after he came to power, and even then it was bought more out of a sense of duty than any literary merits. Hitler was an orator, not an author, and the book is really a very long speech. (He probably did not so much write the book as dictate it to Rudolf Hess, who was in prison with him.) (He was a dictator, after all.) The book did become a best-seller, of course, after 1933, and the government even gave away some copies--newly-married couples received one, for example. It was not translated into any foreign languages for a long time, which is unfortunate, since in it Hitler is quite clear on most of his plans. (He was, in a way, a very truthful politician; pity nobody took him seriously before it was too late.)

Mein Kampf (My Battle), which is at least a punchy title, was not Hitler's first choice. He wanted to call it Four and a Half Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity, and Cowardice. The publisher convinced him that such a title might not be the best one... (It's a bit long for the spine of a book, for one thing.)

[Julie Worth]

He wanted to call it Four and a Half Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity, and Cowardice. The publisher convinced him that such a title might not be the best one...

It was all the publisher's fault! (Max Amann, who was sentenced to ten years, but not for renaming the book, apparently.)

[veinglory]

Hate mail means they cared. They didn't like what you did, but they cared about it.

Or, it can mean they're a fruitcake. Take your pick.

I'll take d) all of the above. But if they care enough to threat bodily harm that's not always a great thing ;)

[DeadlyAccurate]

I review computer games, so I've received my share of hate mail, not to mention seen some rather interesting conversations about myself on message boards. The absolute best thing you can do with hate mail is to delete it without responding.

Imagine, for a second, that you were irate about something, so you took the time to craft a letter outlining your complaints. Now imagine how you feel when that letter is completely ignored. Bothered? Now imagine if you toss off the most angry, incoherent rant you can come up with and sent that and were ignored. Think how much worse that feels. So ignore the hate mail; it'll bug 'em more.

(Heck, think how we feel when agents don't even bother to form reject us for our queries.)

[JonMoeller]

As yet, I haven't gotten any hate mail. There's a few forum trolls with a vendetta, but they're best ignored. I DO get these bizarre e-mails from the parents of high school seniors who assume I'm a successful writer, asking for advice on how their aspiring progeny can become successful writers.

I laugh, else I would weep.

The gun discussion caught my eye because I wrote something like a 300,000 word book on the topic. Well, not quite...it's more about what happens when guns arrive in a society that's never seen them before. That book's coming out in August, so you can see the prologue here, if interested:

http://www.jonathanmoeller.com/WTCexcerpt.htm

-JM

[pconsidine]

Daily. The main part of my job is telling other people when they're wrong or asking for impossible things. As a result, I often get quite unpleasant responses from those on the receiving end. Meh. I suppose if everyone liked me, I wouldn't be doing my job right.

[My-Immortal]

He wanted to call it Four and a Half Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity, and Cowardice. The publisher convinced him that such a title might not be the best one... (It's a bit long for the spine of a book, for one thing.)

Knock off the 'and a Half' and it sounds like a book about High School....

[mdin]

Holy crap. This thread is old. I ended up ignoring that particular person, and I never heard from them again.

I woke up this morning with 45 emails about something I wrote on my blog. About ten of them were not very nice. Three or four were in Icelandic and even though I don't understand, it's pretty clear they didn't like it. You start to get used to it pretty quickly.

[Alien Enigma]

Here's just a thought:

You could write a generic message for each type of message that you might receive. Send those out accordingly explaining to the emailer your stance and leave it at that. They will get frustrated with the auto-responder feel and more than likely leave you alone.

As for more serious threats, you might have to turn them over to the authorities. As for the name calling and beligerence, I wouldn't even reply to those.

[mdin]

Case and point, I just got emailed this after I posted the above. Someone is accusing me of being homophobic (http://www.jemmatzan.com/cms/2006/05/06/scary-kids-shows-how-about-homophobia-instead/) because I talked smack about Mr. Rogers.

I might actually respond to this one.

[Gillhoughly]

I've gotten a few oddballs at one time or another.

One was so angry that he sent a snail-mail letter via my publisher (that took some effort) accusing me of something offensive he read into my book. (The hero cried when someone died, which was a high crime with snail-mail guy. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteShrug.gif ) I thanked him for his opinion and said "Since you don't like how I did it why not write your own book and send it in--that's how my career got started." Never heard back from him and he's still not published.

Another was an out and out hate mail that I ceased reading after the first line. It went on for pages. I sent it back with a fake subject line from my server about it being blocked and never reaching the addressee. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif That was likely illegal, but I didn't get any more from the kook.

This same person then signed me up on a financial consulting site for gays. I guess he thought THAT would freak me out. (Yawn.) I used to be in the theater and hung out in a gay nightclub for a time since one of my buds was the manager. Had to laugh at that one.

The one that really creeped me out, though, was an over the top FAN letter. She loved my stuff. Great, but I'm not too keen when it's loved to the point where they name their kids after my characters, read my books dozens of times a year, despise writers who don't write like me, etc. Hate mail I can take, but too much love and I'm looking for Cathy Bates-style stalkers.

For both I've devised an imaginary "wet works" screener. This cyber-person sends a generic reply, "Thank you for writing so-n-so. Your mail will be forwarded and read. So-n-so doesn't always have time to reply, but be certain that he/she appreciates that you took the time to write."

I don't always use that device; it's only for the ones who make me uncomfortable.

And absolutely report threats to the authorities and the ISP servers! One of my editor buds got a death threat from a disgruntled writer. She invited him to come on over and she would make him acquainted with her Dirty Harry revolver. He went away, but don't try that yourself!

BTW-- I LOVE the post about putting the hate mail on a blog. That's brilliant! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[LloydBrown]

I haven't gotten hate mail, but I did get a review that said my writing was so bad it made the reviewer's eyes bleed. I love that one!

It just made the big fat check I got so much sweeter.

I loved Murphy Brown's reaction when the perky chick in the office got a piece of scathing hate mail. She leaned her head back, got all nostaltic, and said, "Ah, I remember my first hate mail." She was so proud of herself.

[badducky]

I can't wait for the hate mail to start pouring in!

When I marched drum corps, the best feeling was getting booed at someone else's home field. It meant we were stomping the home team. There's no other feeling in the world quite like having a whole few hundred people rooting against you, and rubbing their noses in your success.

[Akuma]

I review computer games, so I've received my share of hate mail, not to mention seen some rather interesting conversations about myself on message boards. The absolute best thing you can do with hate mail is to delete it without responding.

Deadly, how does one signup for that kind of job? http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/EmoteShrug.gif

[DeadlyAccurate]

Sent you a PM, Akuma.

[Dawno]

Personal to XNavX: dont diss Magnús you ógeðslega gerpi!!!:ROFL:

I think that's going in the sig soon...

[TrickyFiction]

The letter basically accuses me of being a racist because of something a character says in my book.

Sounds like someone I know. If any of the characters in a novel feel any certain way, this guy assumes that the author feels the same way too, or that the author is trying to "represent" an entire group of people with his one character's feelings. These people just need something to rage against, and they'll grasp at straws if they have to. Best to just let it go, and chalk it up to someone with too much time on their hands.

Whoa! I should have checked the date on this one. Oops. :e2smack:

[mdin]

Personal to XNavX: dont diss Magnús you ógeðslega gerpi!!!:ROFL:

I think that's going in the sig soon...

I was thinking about it.

I don't know what a gerpi is, but I figured out "ógeðslega" means disgusting.

[Dawno]

How?? I just spent a fracking half hour trying to get it to translate!

Found a very annoying song clip (http://gprime.net/flash.php/annoying) for my efforts. One of the first hits for "ógeðslega"

[LightShadow]

We ignored any hate mail we received as a family when I was a child, but it is not the hate mail you would expect. We were a white family in a non-white neighborhood being warned to get out. I spent three years in that environment, and frankly, though I hold no ill feelings toward the people who did daily things to me, I was glad when we moved away.

[mdin]

http://www.translation-guide.com/free_online_translators.php?from=Icelandic&to=English

[LeslieB]

I haven't gotten any 'hate' mail, but I've gotten some heated ones, and posts on message boards about my fanfic.

I had one reader flat out demand to know how my novel-length fanfic was going to end. I told him that not even my beta readers knew that, so I certainly wasn't going to give him permission to 'turn to the last page'. The same reader later publically announced in the comment thread after one chapter that he was never reading my story again because it had gotten too grim. I pointed out that in epic fantasy, people are going to get killed.

I've had another reader who has repeatedly argued that some of the romantic elements in my work are unrealistic. I have to bite my tongue to keep from pointing out that since he has used the "Sex with your True Love cures rape trauma" cliche no fewer than three times in his own stories, I don't believe he has a mature handle on relationships.