sticks & stones

Looking at the Ribbon of Years cover in my Life is Hard but God is Good post of earlier today, I was reminded of something that I found amusing back in 2002.

Someone online (not someone I know) was trying to insult me and the books that I write. Well, she didn’t just try. She did insult me. But then, to prove a point (I think about how unrealistic my characters are), she took aim at Ribbon of Years and said something like (this isn’t an exact quote because I didn’t keep a copy), Look at the cover of Ribbon of Years. The character looks like she’s dressed for the 1950’s.

And the reason that is so funny is … wait for it … the character shown on the cover is from the 1950’s. (The story takes place from 1936 to 2001.) How could I be insulted when all that person did was confirm the creative team at my publisher’s got the cover exactly right? LOL!

On the other hand, remember the childhood saying: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

The above-mentioned time someone tossed verbal sticks and stones at me proved amusing in the end. But the truth is, words matter and far too often hurtful words wound the recipient much more deeply than anyone else will ever know. I try my best not to participate in slinging insults or judging others or assigning intent because I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end.

Life lessons. Novelists should always pay attention to them.