A punch in the face...and a hug.

Today I want to share something. It is real and personal. And I won't be pulling punches like I have for quite some time. While not exactly stepping off the Crazy Train, there will be a moment or two of "rant-like" behavior. So...if that is not your thing, move along. Oh...and I will be putting up an encore post Friday since it is the 4th of July and most folks here in the states will be celebrating our Nation's Declaration of Independence in the exact way that the Founding Fathers envisioned...Blowing stuff up and grilling copious amounts of meat (I will actually be wearing a replica of the British Flag at MY grill station in an ironic twist).

In the recent past, I have had my personal history exclude me from some of the "reindeer games" that many of my zombie author brethren have participated. A select (and I could add, COWARDLY) few have taken it upon themselves to basically bully others who might dare to include me in such things to the point where I simply stepped down to avoid others from sporting my mud on their shoes.

{An interesting note...this also ramps up whenever I have a new release.}

Let's get something straight...I have gotten to where I am all by myself. The only person whose belief in me I require is that of my wife. Everybody beyond that is a bonus...pure and simple. I would like to point out that I am probably the most transparent person in the business. What do you really know about your favorite writers and their personal lives? Because let's face it...everybody has skeletons. Sure some may be smaller, but they are there. Even more entertaining is what some people THINK they know. Umm...unless you were there, can I just say that YOU DON'T KNOW JACK.

However, despite the best efforts of the mindless militants (who I actually believe are motivated more out of petty jealousy and insecurity than anything else), there are some who refuse to be cowed or pushed around based on a situation that they don't honestly know the core facts (and let me say that in just under 7 years from now, I WILL be sharing MY side publicly). So, it is nice when you receive a letter like what I am going to share. NO, I will not name names and I have removed a few parts that could possibly give away the identity of the author.

"I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with so much author hate lately, too. I had no idea there was anything going on until I started receiving messages from authors telling me I needed to click links or pull my support from you lest my own reputation be tarnished by association. I can tell you that, as much as I’m finding people wanting to stir the pot, I have no interest in it. And I refuse to be bullied into thinking otherwise. Whatever you have or have not done is none of my business, nor will I hop on any bandwagons. (Hell, I won’t even click the links sent)

This was my response to a personal message I received “warning” me that supporting you, or allowing you to support me, is something I would ‘regret’ if I didn’t publicly denounce you...

“Thank you for thinking of me. I've decided to take the stance of Switzerland. While I by no means condone any acts as indicated by what others have alleged, I have decided not to engage in what is none of my business. Todd has been a valuable source of encouragement for me as a writer and has helped me tremendously in my journey. I have no knowledge of the accusations being spread about his alleged past and had to evaluate carefully how I chose to deal with this information. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that it had no bearing on my life...”

I have been torn up about this for a month now. I don’t want to know anything about it, I am not looking for any explanations. But I wanted you to know, regardless of what actually transpired, I believe in rehabilitation, regardless of circumstance. I will continue to read your books, because frankly I enjoy them. Again, I’m sorry you have been dealing with this. And I’m annoyed with extremists...I’m sad at how rotten some people can be."

Now, this is NOT the first such email that I have received. Oddly enough, I have a large number of my peers who don't buy in to the threats of a few scrubs who probably got pushed into the lockers one too many times while at school. And here is the kicker...I do actually know who a few of them are, but I won't name THEM either. The last thing that I want are for a few of my friends, fans, or people who are simply bored and looking for the next broohaha, to start harassing or announcing boycotts of these sad and pathetic souls. Did you know that some of these wretched souls go so far as to click on the "no" button at the bottom when you can vote for any positive reviews written about other author's work? How sad is that?

My work stands on its own merit. Like it or hate it...that is a choice, and one that I will always respect. Any writer who thinks that he or she will be loved and adored by all is delusional and will probably always live in a self-created personal Hell that allows them no real joy. But here is a fact that the detractors and hate-filled souls will have to deal with: my books do have a following. I marvel at it daily...am thankful of it constantly...and I have done so DESPITE YOUR BEST EFFORTS. Hell, it is the sole reason that I was able to give my wife her dream house for her birthday and a bedroom set that brought tears to her eyes. How does that feel?