I’m a blogger. I’ve been a blogger since 2002. When I started blogging, I thought I’d write about anything that popped into my head. Didn’t matter if the subject was controversial. If I felt like discussing it, I would. I figured this was my blog and I’d write what I want. I kept that in mind right up until the point I published my first book. That day everything changed. I went from being a blogger to a writer.
Suddenly, having vocal opinions was a ‘bad’ thing. I started playing it safe when it came to my blog entries. After all, I didn’t want to offend anyone. (I can actually do that pretty easily, especially in person. *g*) Instead of writing what I wanted, I began to read John Scalzi’s Whatever blog (among others) and live vicariously through their entries. Scalzi seemed to be able to say whatever was on his mind and get away with it. Sure some people disagreed with his views, but he didn’t care. It didn’t change how he wrote his blog entries. And he certainly didn’t sweat over whether his entries would turn someone off enough to not purchase his books.
Now I don’t know if his approach to blogging works because he’s a science fiction writer or if it has to do with the fact he’s a man. It could be either. Might be both. All I know is I’ve never really seen a female genre writer (particularly in romance) who’s been able to speak her mind online and not take hits that would drop a prizefighter.
Personally, I think it’s sad. Makes me wonder how interesting blogs and blogging could be, if we blogged about whatever we wanted to discuss.
The other day Mr. Scalzi wrote a blog entry, telling writers that if they felt like discussing current events (or anything else controversial) on their blogs, they should. Key point being, it was up to the author. He reminded everyone that there are a lot of writers imprisoned around the world that no longer have the luxury of freedom of speech. I admit after reading the entry, I felt ashamed and cowardly. I’m fortunate enough to live in a place that more or less allows freedom of speech and I don’t take advantage of it.
Which brings me to the questions I have for all the bloggers out there: Do you feel like there are certain topics you can’t discuss? Does it make a difference if you’re a published author? Should it? Is it easier for a man to discuss controversial topics than it is for a woman? If so, why? Would you stop reading someone’s blog/books/articles, if you disagreed with their views?
Bloggers should be able to blog about whatever they choose, but they do need to be mindful of the possibility that doing so may drive away readers, at least from the blog—not even necessarily because of differences of opinion, but due to a content change.
If someone visits a blog regularly for publishing insight (for instance) and that blog drops the publishing insight in favor of political commentary, that reader has to look elsewhere for the publishing insight she wants, regardless of her political views. You might very well attract new readers who want the new content, so the hit counter might not fluctuate much, but if you have a smallish readership, you get to know them pretty well and miss them when they stop coming around.
There is a compromise, of course: Keep doling out what your readers have come to expect AND make your statement. Even if they don’t agree with that statement, they still have the publishing insight (or whatever!) to bring them back.
Personally, if I like an author’s books, I won’t stop buying them even if she endorses cannibalism and necrophilia and believes Palin is a credit to womankind. I can enjoy a story without enjoying the person who wrote it.
by Kerry Allen October 3rd, 2008 at 7:02 amI keep my blogs (I have about 12 of them) on topic. Nothing is sacred but then none of my blogs have to do with politics or religion (as I am no expert on either subject).
I do write about truths other people don’t speak. On one of my business blogs, I often talk about the games the C-Suite play (with themselves and their staff). They aren’t always nice games but people working in that environment should be aware of them.
I figure my blogs don’t truly belong to me. They belong to my readers. If it doesn’t serve my readers to post on it, I don’t waste their time by posting on it. If it serves my readers, I post despite whether people will like the post or not.
As for my romance writing blog, I figure my readers want happy endings and an escape from reality. That’s what I give them.
by Kimber Chin October 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 amI also feel there’s huge hole in the “blogs are for promo, don’t do anything to alienate the customer” movement. If a blog is nothing but promo (”here’s my book,” “my book is coming out next week,” “buy my book,” “have you bought my book yet?”), nobody’s going to hang around to read the endless sales pitch. People seek out blogs to see what people have to say, and they return to those that entertain or inform or whatever their particular jones is.
The primary function of an author’s blog therefore appears to be interacting with people and cultivating relationships rather than relentlessly pushing the product, and it’s difficult to interact and relate if you’re not “allowed” to express an opinion because it Joan Q. Public might not like it and will punish you by not buying your book.
I’ve seen a lot of writers intimidated by that threat, and yes, they’ve all been women. From what I’ve seen, it’s a totally different culture over in Male Author Land. They must get a different handbook over there. Instead of the page that says, “One sale could be the difference between making The List and not, so your entire career depends on that one sale, don’t do anything to blow it,” they have a page that says, “The royalty on a mass market paperback is 50 or 60 cents, so if you lose this sale, no doughnut for you on Thursday.”
Different perception of the stakes, so different degree of willingness to risk ticking people off?
by Kerry Allen October 3rd, 2008 at 9:51 amI don’t blog about politics. But then again, I don’t tend to talk politics. Anyone that interested in my political views can pretty much guess where I stand by reading between the lines.
Otherwise, I pretty much blog the way I talk—about most anything that catches my fancy. And I try to keep the maxim in mind if it’s not something I wouldn’t say out loud, to someone’s face, then I don’t blog it. It works well for me.
by Barbara Caridad Ferrer October 3rd, 2008 at 10:02 amIf I’m going to talk about something that I usually don’t talk about I give fair warning. I direct them to one of the people I admire on my blog roll and then I dig in.
Next month before the election I plan to rant about voting. Or more like plead to the general public to vote. That’s not what I usually write about. It’s important to me and I think any reader worth their salt wants to know past the superficial of the author they love. No, they may not always like it, but then again they might respect the author more.
Ex: Jennifer Crusie
by Melissa Blue October 3rd, 2008 at 10:03 amI’m not published (yet!) so I blog about whatever I want to blog about. My thinking is that if (when!) I do get published, I would begin a second blog that would become my “professional” face. And I do think that I would steer clear of some of my stronger opinions on that second blog. I know it isn’t fair, but people do form opinions about your work based on what they think about you, and that opinion is shaped by what you blog about. However, I also personally need a place where I can vent my thoughts regardless of whether they are controversial or unpopular.
by Lynn M October 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 amYes! This is me! I am so afraid to offend people, which is odd because in “real” life I don’ t really care if I offend, but I’m afraid of losing a sale so I keep things apolitical and areligious (is that a word?). I wish I could post what I wanted but if I did, I would worry too much. Sigh. Sometimes I think about starting a different blog under a different name so I can be as un-pc as I want to be. Hey, maybe we can start a blog together, under pen names!
by Sharon Cullen October 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 amI won’t blog about politics, religion, or my family.
Politics and religion have started too many wars. It’s not worth it. And I’d like to keep my family out of the public eye as much as possible. I know it isn’t a very big eye, but they didn’t ask to be in any sort of spotlight, so I’m not going to put them in one.
Jess
by Jess Granger October 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 amIf you have an interest in politics, religion, and other hot buttons, I don’t think there is anything wrong with blogging about it and expressing your opinion.
Intelligent thoughtful posts about whatever topics are great, J, and you do them already.
Do I think authors like Scalzi and Wil Wheaton can get away with it more withouth hurting their careers? Yup. And yup, it’s because they are men. And most of their readers are men.
Women are emotionally driven. And some can’t separate the author from the person. I think if you were to blog like Scalzi, you’d lose a ton of women readers…but heck you’d probably gain a ton of men.
by Vivi Anna October 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 amI am guilty of worrying about public opinion. I do rant on my blog on occasion and IRL I’m very opinionated. I would be more inclined to write a political rant let’s say, and not worry about the consequences to my readership than I would to write a rant about the publishing industry or some aspect of writing.
I have heard of fellow authors drawing criticism from readers for expressing their political views [and personally if I lose a reader for not backing their favorite candidate, that's a reader I don't need or want anyway]. If someone looks down on me for not being a member of their political party or their religion, I really don’t care - but I am concerned about appearing unprofessional in the writing arena. I’ve written many blog posts about writers behaving badly and about my views on trends and such - and I’ve deleted many more that voiced sometimes bitter complaints about books I’ve read or things I think are wrong with the publishing world. Maybe that self-censorship is wrong, but I do have less concern about offending a reader by stating my political, religious or social views than I do about offending an editor or agent by having a public tantrum about the business - even if I’ve indulged in a few private ones now and then.
by Bernadette Gardner October 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 amI suspect in Mr. Scalzis case, his readership isn’t turned off by his views/style rather it appeals to them. I’m not sure that applies in all cases.
nevertheless, I fervently believe that bloggers can and should say what they want to on their blog. Some self-censorship is always required, as in every means of communication. The degree of which will be your personal level of suspicion of what you are doing to your fanbase. If you write about controversial issues you may lose some people uninterested in dealing with those topics and gain people who are - how that will translate to book sales is the great unknown.
Personally, I think writers blogs should talk about their lives, what they find interesting in addition to the writing. They are people and after following them for a large amount of time there is a natural affinity to them as people and not just writers.
by Mark October 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 amLet’s face it. If you’re a published author, you’re in the business of selling books. And you want to sell as many as you can, which means you don’t want to do things unnecessarily to upset potential buyers. Notice that you don’t find too many of the really top-selling authors blogging away.
Yet you have to be true to yourself. There are other ways. How about a social network ring, invitation only, for folks who share your views? A separate blog under a different identity?
If you’re okay with the fallout, then blog away. Occasionally I’m sure I’ve offended, not by intent but by content. I give thought to what I blog about. It has to be important to me and to who I am, important enough that I feel it necessary to share with the whole world. I’ve done that with my presidential choice this year. Probably have turned some folks off but it’s that important.
I hope I don’t turn off any agents or editors that I’d like to work with, or potential readers but I realize that I may.
by PatriciaW October 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 amI avoid controversial topics in real life, so it’s not a surprise to me that I avoid them on my blog as well. I absolutely hate politics (although I consider myself a reasonably educated voter, and always vote), but all the name-calling, and the “there’s only one right answer” attitude is a total turnoff to me.
Of course, I’m sure my blog has other content that people may or may not agree with, but normally, I try to keep it interesting, informative, and not ‘editorial.’
Heck, I don’t even like to publically give my take on the books I’m reading. I list the titles, but I’m not comfortable voicing an opinion, because I don’t like all the books I’ve read, and I’d rather not have my “author” opinion of the book out there, for fear people will be turned off me, and therefore my books, if they disagree.
Not everyone will like my books, but I’d rather they discover that by reading them, not because they disagree with what I think of someone else’s book.
by Terry Odell October 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 amAs a reader, I don’t see anything wrong, ethically, with authors blogging about politics or anything else.
Authors themselves may have prudential concerns, as PatriciaW mentions in the previous comment, but that’s for them to decide.
As a consumer, I try to make choices consistent with my values. I support local farms, organic when possible, for example, and I avoid supporting unfair labor practices whenever possible.
I think that’s different from not buying from someone — whether a corporation or an author/publisher — whose political views you don’t share.
Of course, the line is not always easy to draw!
by Jessica October 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 amThe art of debating or stating an opinion without personally attacking someone who disagrees has become a lost art. The use of anecdotal evidence as fact, and the complete disregard truth is held in lately, makes arguing a point intelligently very difficult. Writers, blogging their personal opinions may seem courageous; but if their careers depend on a paycheck possibly cut short because of what they write on a blog, in America, it may be a better idea to write their representatives and express their opinions. Financial solvency for their families should play an important part in the decision too.
by BernardL October 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pmI do worry about what I say on my blog, and I try to be respectful in my comments elsewhere. I’ve been turned off by some personalities online, so I’m more aware of what I type now.
Can authors be opinionated and talk about controversial subjects? Sure. I don’t care if someone disagrees with me. I enjoy a lively debate. But if an author resorts to name-calling or is consistently snarky, I might not want to chat with her anymore.
Even profanity, which I let fly on a pretty regular basis in real life, just doesn’t come across very well online.
Can men get away with more? I think the answer to that question is almost always yes.
by Jill Sorenson October 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm“Is it easier for a man to discuss controversial topics than it is for a woman? If so, why? Would you stop reading someone’s blog/books/articles, if you disagreed with their views?”
It’s hard for women to be as openly controversial as men because women socially police other women. I don’t think men do that as much if at all to other men. I think it’s easier for men to discuss controversial topics because they’re not taught to avoid conflict. For the most part boys aren’t raised to pretend to be nice and agreeable. Quite the contrary; boys are EXPECTED to be embroiled in conflict. It prepares them for real life. Not being afraid of conflict and being able to be openly competitive is a real advantage.
I often see women who are disagreed with on blogs get intimidated and leave the discussion. Later they’ll claim that they were bullied. I’m always puzzled by that. Even if a hundred posters disagree with what you say why shouldn’t you stand your ground if you believe what you’re saying? I can understand if you think it’s futile, but don’t claim to be bullied. Why is it so important to some women that other people agree with them?
Would I stop reading an author if she wrote something I didn’t like on her blog? Yes indeed. I can’t get past racism, homophobia, misogynism, and a few other things. I’ve stopped reading quite a few authors because of the racist things they’ve written on their own blogs as well as other people’s blogs. Not that I think it hurts the author in any way. I’ve noticed that quite a few people are able to overlook racism and homophobia. I just do it for my own sense of integrity.
by Barbara B. October 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 pmAs long as hatred, spite and evilness is not on the table controversial adds quite a bit of spice to life.
by Cara October 3rd, 2008 at 12:57 pmWhat’s the point of everyone having their own view point? Our country was partly based on freedom of speech unless the government has had it taken away recently?
I will read/listen to anyone that sparks my attention and makes me think wether I agree or not.
[...] You’ll find me at Romancing the Blog today. [...]
by Jordan Summers » Blog Archive » Kicking Up Dirt October 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pmKerry, ***I can enjoy a story without enjoying the person who wrote it.***
I guess this was really what I wanted to know. There are a lot of readers blog and otherwise who can’t separate the two. I do agree that with a format change you’ll lose some readers and gain new ones. That’s something you’d just have to accept going into the process.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 1:31 pmKimber, ***I figure my blogs don’t truly belong to me. They belong to my readers. ***
This is the main difference I believe between blogging for yourself and blogging for others. You’ve chosen to blog for others, so that you can keep a certain audience. Other bloggers choose to blog for themselves and expect their audience to find them and stay because they like what they have to say–at least most of the time.
One puts the pressure on the blogger. The other takes it off. Ultimately, I think we all have to decide what works best for us.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 1:36 pmBarbara, I don’t think bloggers should blog about things that make them uncomfortable, but I do think it would be interesting if more bloggers became a bit more fearless. It would make for some interesting topics.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 1:40 pmMelissa Blue, Like you, I try to give fair warning if I have a topic that doesn’t normally appear on my blog. I do notice that I seem to scare the crap out of my readers when I do those odd topics, which makes me a little sad.
I’ll be right there with you, encouraging people to vote.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 1:44 pmLynn M., I understand where you’re coming from. This is where I think the division between men and women really take place. I believe men care less about what people ‘think’ of their opinions. Women worry that they’ll somehow offend.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 1:53 pmSharon C., ***Hey, maybe we can start a blog together, under pen names!***
That sounds like a plan. *g*
I do know what you mean though. It’s a hard call. Like you, I don’t have a problem saying things in person. I try to make sure that whatever I say at any moment would be something I’d say aloud and to a person’s face.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 1:56 pmJess, I believe bloggers should blog about what makes them comfortable. For me, I’d love to discuss religion (world religions) because I find the subject fascinating. Of course, I don’t approach religion with a right or wrong mindset, which would probably disappoint the folks who go out looking for an online fight. I find the origins interesting.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 1:59 pmVivi, Since I’ve been accused of writing like a man, I’m not sure that would be a bad thing. *ggg*
***Do I think authors like Scalzi and Wil Wheaton can get away with it more without hurting their careers? Yup. And yup, it’s because they are men. ***
That’s what I was kind of wondering. If it was the topics or the gender. I think you’re right.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 2:02 pmBernadette, You bring up a lot of good points. Particularly this one: I have heard of fellow authors drawing criticism from readers for expressing their political views [and personally if I lose a reader for not backing their favorite candidate, that's a reader I don't need or want anyway]. If someone looks down on me for not being a member of their political party or their religion, I really don’t care - but I am concerned about appearing unprofessional in the writing arena.***
I think it’s smart to keep the publishing issues to a minimum. Like you, I’ve seen authors post some things that made me cringe for them. It wasn’t that I disagreed with their opinion, but I did think they were shooting themselves in the foot.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 2:07 pmMark, I agree that some self-censorship is required, but not as much as is taking place these days on blogs.
***I suspect in Mr. Scalzis case, his readership isn’t turned off by his views/style rather it appeals to them. I’m not sure that applies in all cases.***
I don’t know if it applies in all cases, but I do believe that him freely discussing the topics he wants to discuss brings an incredible amount of readers to his site. Does that translate into sales? My guess is yes. When you’re getting close to a million hits a month, then it has to translate into sales.
I think one of the things that I admire about Mr. Scalzi is that his blog runs the gamut in topics. He discusses religion, politics, movies, books, his family, writing, etc. I think it’s a good mix of subjects so that his blog stays fresh. I think a lot of blogs get stale because the subject matter is limited to PC topics and repetition of material.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 pmwell its their blog, so i wouldnt say anyting, i would just not pay attn, and which i do, if its religion, politics, or anything that i feel about, evreyone has their own views, i wouldnt want ppl to critize mine so i wouldnt theirs, but if it did get real bad, i wouldnt visist that blog
by tami blackroze37 October 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 pmI’ve been thinking a lot about this the last couple of days, since I waded into the scrum between AAR/Laurie and Dear Author concerning Laurie’s claim of ‘ownership’ of the term DIK (Desert Isle Keeper) when it comes to romance novel reviews.
I’ve always stayed away from controversy, not because I think that ‘good girls’ need to shut up, but just because… well, I’m a relatively private person when it comes to my life and thoughts.
Oddly enough, I’ve been taken to task for using the term ‘f-bomb’ instead of the profanity it represents. Apparently I’m talking down to people and assuming they’re children. Well, now, I kinda thought I was welcome to use whatever language I wanted on my own blog, and my discomfort with using the f-word constantly is my own business and has nothing to do with what I think of my readers. I’m just the kind of person who saves the darkest profanities for my darkest moods and thoughts.
Overuse of anything - including profanity - dilutes its effectiveness.
I do think that you can say anything you want in your blog, but be prepared to be thick-skinned. Though I’m not one of them, there will always be some people who will boycott those with whom they do not agree.
by Donna Lea Simpson October 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pmPatricia, ***Let’s face it. If you’re a published author, you’re in the business of selling books. And you want to sell as many as you can, which means you don’t want to do things unnecessarily to upset potential buyers. Notice that you don’t find too many of the really top-selling authors blogging away.***
You’re right, most top-selling authors don’t have time to blog. *g*
I do think it’s easy to forget that the online community surrounding most authors (not top-sellers) is relatively small. I don’t think it’s going to cost authors a ‘ton’ of sales to speak their minds. As for offending potential readers, I’m sure I’ll do that with my next release, RED, since it has a tremendous amount of graphic violence in it. *ggg*
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 3:49 pmTerry, ***Heck, I don’t even like to publically give my take on the books I’m reading. I list the titles, but I’m not comfortable voicing an opinion, because I don’t like all the books I’ve read, and I’d rather not have my “author” opinion of the book out there, for fear people will be turned off me, and therefore my books, if they disagree.***
I do the same thing with books and part of me thinks that’s wrong, too. When I refer to controversial subjects, I’m not talking about giving an opinion that’s ‘my way or the highway’. I think it’s interesting to debate. Not argue, not name call, not disrespect, but to directly debate. I think a lot of women have difficulty doing that without strong emotions entering into the equation…unfortunately.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 3:53 pmBarbara, I don’t think bloggers should blog about things that make them uncomfortable, but I do think it would be interesting if more bloggers became a bit more fearless. It would make for some interesting topics.
Sing it, sister!– I’ve been known on occasion to get grief for what I choose to blog about. In 2005 I blogged about what a train wreck I thought the RITA ceremony had been and why and who I held accountable. Conversely, last week, I just publicly blogged about how I just had a book contract canceled and was absolutely blown away not just by the support, but by how many people said I was brave in stepping forward to make that public admission and as an added bonus, had a lot of emails saying, “OMG, I had a book canceled too but I could never speak about it because I thought I was the only one.”
Hell, yesterday, my topic was the Nobel literature prize flap and not only what a nitwit I thought the secretary to the Swedish Academy was being, but also how ironic it was to see the shoe on the other foot, with respect to the American literati being slammed by Europeans much in the same way that they’ve been accustomed to slamming mainstream/commercial lit.
Then, I also have Cabana Boys once a week.
Like I said– if it catches my fancy, we’re good.
by Barbara Caridad Ferrer October 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pmJessica, ***As a consumer, I try to make choices consistent with my values. I support local farms, organic when possible, for example, and I avoid supporting unfair labor practices whenever possible.
I think that’s different from not buying from someone — whether a corporation or an author/publisher — whose political views you don’t share. ***
I do the same and I agree. I do think it’s two different animals. Personally, I can separate the two with little problem. There are very few exceptions—and all those are with actors.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pmBernard, As always, you’ve brought up a lot of wonder, yet sad points.
***The art of debating or stating an opinion without personally attacking someone who disagrees has become a lost art. The use of anecdotal evidence as fact, and the complete disregard truth is held in lately, makes arguing a point intelligently very difficult.***
I agree whole-heartedly. So many things have gone south in the last ten years. It’s a shame that more people can’t tell the difference between a personal attack and an opinion. I’ve seen those lines cross/blur with writers, reviewers, and readers.
***Writers, blogging their personal opinions may seem courageous; but if their careers depend on a paycheck possibly cut short because of what they write on a blog, in America, it may be a better idea to write their representatives and express their opinions. Financial solvency for their families should play an important part in the decision too.***
If your income depends on your writing, that is an important thing to keep in mind. I know I’m using Mr. Scalzi as an example again, but his income comes from all the writing he does. Yet, he still maintains a mixed blog that incorporates his opinion on a lot of varied subjects. He even twists the hate into humor with his book, Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded. *ggg* So it can be done. I’m just wondering if you have to be a man to do it.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 4:03 pmJill, ***I don’t care if someone disagrees with me. I enjoy a lively debate. But if an author resorts to name-calling or is consistently snarky, I might not want to chat with her anymore.***
I think being opinionated and snarky are two very different things. I think it’s possible to be intelligently opinionate without resorting to snark/name-calling. The latter smacks of grade-school antics, which are better left to the playground–not the web.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 4:06 pmJill, There should be a ‘d’ at the end of opinionated. *g*
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 4:07 pmBarbara B., ***Why is it so important to some women that other people agree with them? ***
I think this goes back to the need to be accepted. It’s as strong as the need to be ‘liked’. As for being intimidated by a wave of controversy, I think it does stem from believing it’s futile to continue. That said, I wouldn’t later claim to be bullied. But then again, I rarely back down from a confrontation.
***It’s hard for women to be as openly controversial as men because women socially police other women. I don’t think men do that as much if at all to other men. I think it’s easier for men to discuss controversial topics because they’re not taught to avoid conflict. For the most part boys aren’t raised to pretend to be nice and agreeable. Quite the contrary; boys are EXPECTED to be embroiled in conflict. ***
This is a really good point. I does stem from how we’re raised. Although I do think this distinction does harm women in the long-run.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 4:14 pmCara, I’m pretty much the same. I love hearing other’s opinions on various topics. They may not change my mind, but it’s fun to listen.
***Our country was partly based on freedom of speech unless the government has had it taken away recently?***
LOL, these days, anything is possible. Snort!
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 4:16 pmTami, Like you, I’m quite capable of turning the channel so to speak, if I don’t like what’s showing. I also don’t mind jumping into topics, but not to change the blogger’s opinion. I think that approach is a waste of energy and time. It’s what is behind most arguments online.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pmI think that authors should feel free to blog about whatever they want–even if the topic is controversial. For the most part, knowing an author held controversial or odd views wouldn’t keep me from buying his/her books….the only exceptions I can think of right now would be pedophilia, eugenics/genocide–that kind of thing. I have to say that I am more tolerant if the author is dead–then those views become part of the historical context. And as far as obnoxious comments go, if you stay out of the discussion as soon as it gets rolling, then the commenters will be addressing each other, instead of you, which might make disagreement easier to take. I have also seen a couple of examples in which a blogger removed a few apparently over-the-top awful posts and then provided some guidelines. It’s your blog–it’s ok to moderate it.
I am not a blogger–but if I were, I would probably have to censor myself somewhat. I am a religiously conservative person, but I have some views that might bother people of the same persuasion. I’m pro-choice, for example. Not because I think abortion is ok, but because I know that sometimes it can be medically necessary (psychiatrically, too), and that it needs to be safe for everyone, regardless. Awful situations occur so much more often than people think they do….but I could never be very public about that–it would cause no end of problems for myself and my family, from people that we care about. I would like to have an Obama bumpersticker on my car, but I’d have to remove it 3 times a week!
So, you know, I wouldn’t worry about your topics on a public level, just on a personal one. If your friends and family aren’t mortally offended, then write away!
by Leah October 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 pmDonna Lea, ***Oddly enough, I’ve been taken to task for using the term ‘f-bomb’ instead of the profanity it represents.***
That is too weird. The Doors had it right, people are strange. *ggg*
***I do think that you can say anything you want in your blog, but be prepared to be thick-skinned. Though I’m not one of them, there will always be some people who will boycott those with whom they do not agree.***
Thick-skin is mandatory. *g* As for the boycott, that just shows their level of maturity. Sad, but true.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm