Dissing the works

A few writer friends recently shared some of their not-so-nice 'fan' mail, readers who have written to express their disappointment. But this blog asks the question,
What if the not-so-nice 'fan' mail went a bit too far? Hmm? (Twilight Zone music, please)
What if the reader went too far? What if the writer went too far when she received that letter?
Now, I'm not endorsing this kind of behavior, so shame on you for thinking that. No way, but the writer in me must ask these questions. I can't help it. It's why writers live, think and write.
So let's go. You read a book. You hate it for whatever reason, then you write in to tell the writer. The mounds of possibilities heap around me, too many to list, and far too dangerous to suggest to those of you who teeter on the brink of insanity. (You know who you are)
What if a fan is found dead and all evidence points to the writer who'd just been dissed?
What if a writer is found dead and all evidence points to a disappointed reader?
But remember, with our books, it's never that simple. And the next time you think of writing to us, remember something.
We may or may not get even, but we will definitely consider it for our next book.

Barbara Phinney, one who is always looking out for story ideas