This past week I finally feel like I’ve gotten a handle on things. Motivation to do more than work and sleep has broken through the fog my brain has been swimming in over the past month. I sincerely hope that I’m not alone in finding this new normal easier to traverse.

What I want to share is an experience I had back in December, months before the insanity of 2020 ensued, that reminded of the costs of any level of fame and the impact actions can have on readers or potential readers. I was with a group of neighbors when they began talking about a fairly well-known author’s visit to the local elementary school. My interest quickly turned to dismay as one of my neighbors shared what she had been told about the encounter. Apparently, the visit wasn’t going as smoothly as the writer wanted. They became snippy and yelled at a respected administrator. Thankfully, the author’s frustration wasn’t apparent during the assembly or in their interaction with the students. After the story was relayed, neighbors who were familiar with the writer vowed never to buy their books again, and those who weren’t lost any desire to read the author’s work.

I did feel obligated to withhold some judgment of this author because I was hearing the story second hand. There is a chance that the author’s frustration and “yelling” were blown out of proportion. Be that as it may, the situation could have been handled with more patience and grace. Whatever actually happened, the ripple effect of a half dozen people who won’t be supporting this author and may potentially dissuade others from purchasing their books is the same.

This occurrence in an unfortunate, yet apt, example as to why it’s important for writers to always treat others like someone is watching—because they are. While I strongly adhere to the maxim that kindness is always the best option, this becomes especially true once an author is in the public eye. That evening in December, I was reminded that by giving up anonymity, I would be paying for exposure to the public. No matter how large or small a writer’s audience is, it is always better to assume people will notice how you treat others. By treating people well, even when they haven’t met your expectations, we fortify the writing community against ill-will and misunderstanding.

On the flip side, there are many people that have wonderful experiences with local and renowned authors. I love hearing about writers who impress parents or fans with their positive attitude and ability to role with the punches. Since nothing ever goes as planned, improvising with a smile is a skill that I hope to cultivate early in my writing career. I’ve learned that being able to laugh at the inevitable curve balls makes life much more pleasant.

Best of luck to you we continue to cope with the current health crisis and find our new normal. Stay save and stay healthy!