Are good manners and common sense disappearing from our culture? I appreciate fine acting, but I’m astonished at how many accomplished actors think of themselves as gurus after a string of good performances on the stage or screen. How, exactly, does achieving a high level of skill as an actor qualify a person to give advice on everything from courtship to how to cast my vote in a presidential election?

Hollywood does its share of claiming wisdom with slim credentials, but (we) writers come in for our share of criticism also. I would love for every human being on this planet to click the “buy” button on one of my books. However, I don’t believe I will ever come close to that goal by losing the ability to carry on any conversation—spoken or written—that does not begin with a 30 second commercial. BUY MY BOOK BUY MY BOOK BUY MY BOOK didn’t convince me the first time I heard it. I seriously doubt thousands of repetitions will affect that decision. Nevertheless, some writers appear to be determined to test that premise.

I’ll admit to using social media in the hope of having my work noticed. But there’s a time and a place. Hint: the time is NOT always, and the place isn’t everywhere, every time we meet. If I didn’t buy insurance from the secretary’s husband who was trying to sell it to me at the office Christmas party (and I didn’t), it’s unlikely I’ll buy a book because the author barrages me with emails, friend requests, and tweets.


I may be alone in this opinion, but I think it's rude to add my email address to a mass mailing list without permission. When was the last time you listened carefully to the message of a robocall? Thankfully, caller ID keeps me from answering most of those. I hang up on the others.


What’s next? Door-to-door solicitation with flyers on the website to BUY MY BOOK? I’m sorry I asked that question. Someone’s ringing my doorbell…

Carlene Havel,
Author of "A Hero's Homecoming" co-author “Daughter of the King”
http://goo.gl/s6EQS