When I published my first book, Thunder Snow, I wasn’t aware how truly cruel people could be who sat in anonymity behind the protection of a keyboard. My skin wasn’t very tough that first month or so, and I was surprised at the personal attacks people could make.

Even though this is still one of my favorite books, I’ve come a long way since then (better writer, thicker skin). But I have to admit there was an early one-star review that made me smile.

Knowing that people’s...