How I handle online bullies

I did an interview with PEOPLE magazine on how cathartic writing has been. It’s in this issue:

The response has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive, but of course there are trolls out there.

The other day, a friend called, worried when she saw some hateful comments directed at me. She felt helpless and didn’t want to be a bystander when she saw something so wrong happening, but she didn’t know what to do. She wondered if I should stand up for myself.

I learned long ago these trolls just want attention, and even negative attention gives them the high they seek, so I just ignore them. I don’t even read anonymous comments, and if I get a hateful email, I simply delete it