Oh for heaven’s sake! I get criticism when I write about sex too, even though I always do so because it’s important to what I’m writing.

I include sex in my fiction when it’s important to the story and adds valuable dimension and layers.

I write about sex in my essays when it matters, when I’m writing about issues that matter to me and my readers.

Then guffaws inevitably roll in from a few. “Wink wink, sex sells. I see what you did there!”

That sort of thing.

Or maybe I’ll get a couple judgmental comments like, “Ugh, did you have to go there? I thought you were a respectable writer.”

But you know what? I know that real writers write authentically. I know we sweat over making our pieces clear and resonant.

And I know people appreciate that and come back for more when we do a good job.

Whether we write about sex or not. Haters notwithstanding.