PLEASE, SOMEBODY, MAKE ME AN OFFER . . .

Being a published author opens me up to input and comments from the public. Most are uplifting and positive. A few are caustic, but that’s just part of doing business. Then there are the occasional email solicitations I receive that seem downright insulting . . . to my intelligence. Here’s an example: “I hope this…

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YOU GOTTA HAVE A THICK SKIN

As a novelist, you gotta have a thick skin. It takes a thick skin to get there—being a published author—because along the way you’re going to get hammered with a lot of criticism and rejection. Much of the criticism, if it’s done correctly, will be constructive guidance from fellow writers.  It’s part of how you…

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BUZZ BERNARD IS A TERRIBLE WRITER

The first time I received a negative review of one of my novels I felt as if I’d been gut-punched. I tiny wave of nausea surged through me.  That was over six years and five novels ago.  Since then, I’ve learned to roll with the punches.  Thumbs-down evaluations of my works, I’ve come to understand,…

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CASCADIA—CHICK LIT?

As an author, you’re a public figure.  Whether you like or not, your works—your books—become a free-fire zone for public opinion. I don’t disagree with that.  People spend their hard-earned money to buy your products and thus have every right to express their thoughts about them. Your books will be both acclaimed and denigrated.  It’s…

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