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?
No related posts.
It gave me such a sense of relief to read this, Jordan, and to know I’m not the only one who pulls her punches.
I can never get over the uneasy feeling that whatever you say online hangs around to haunt you. I’ve seen authors go into defensive mode when criticized or badly reviewed and it sure ain’t pretty.
I’m judgmental, I know it. My critique partners refer to me as the Picky Bitch from Hell. I’m really hard on other writers. On my blog, do I say who, and why? Nope! Because it would look like a big, fat pile of sour grapes. Instead, I do like my mother taught me – “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.”
Nancy, I think the subject matter of a blog is completely different than being turned off by the subject matter of a book. I’ve certainly avoided books that covered certain subjects. No doubt about it. That said, if someone’s blog held a wide range of topics, some I agreed with and some I didn’t, it wouldn’t stop me from purchasing said blogger’s book–if it was an idea/concept/subject matter I liked.
Denise, ***It gave me such a sense of relief to read this, Jordan, and to know I’m not the only one who pulls her punches.***
You’re definitely not alone. I’ve recently stopped pulling punches in my writing. I figure baby steps. Maybe next I can stop pulling them on my blog. *g*
***“If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.â€***
I do agree with this and follow it 98% of the time, but sometimes it really pisses (pardon my language, especially to the Brits out there) me off to do so. LOL!
When I was actively publishing romance and selling, I was very careful about what I put on the Internet. There was such a fear (as I recall) of some editor reading whatever you wrote, etc. Now, I’m somewhat controversial but no longer writing romance or worried about what an editor would think.
For me, ditto what Terry said above.
I wonder if this is not only a gender divide but also a cultural thing. Because I live abroad and am raising my family abroad, I recently read a book called Third Culture Kids. In the book, they were giving examples of cultural differences that people absorb by living in their “own” countries rather than growing up abroad. One example given was politics. The authors were saying that Europeans often discuss and debate politics for entertainment – often with strangers in public places – while Americans are much more likely to shy away from such public debates and to take the entire business much more personally. That was a fascinating observation to me and a true one in my own case anyway.
Anyone who knows me can guess I how I would vote, but I really don’t care to be asked pointed blank or be drawn into discussions of politics, and while I am watching the US presidential campaign with interest (and a certain amount of dread) I don’t expect to be making any public comment on the matter on my own blog.
I don’t mind ‘controversial.’ What I can’t abide by is mean-spirited debate and personal attacks, from men or women. So, please, feel free to discuss whatever you want, but be well-mannered adults about it.
Deb, I don’t think this ***There was such a fear (as I recall) of some editor reading whatever you wrote, etc.*** has changed much. I believe authors still fear that editors will read their blogs and not buy their work because of them.
I do think you have much more to fear if you’ve been slamming the editor’s authors or trashing the publishing houses online.
Jenyfer, I do think there is a gender and definitely a cultural difference in how people approach certain subjects. Maybe I’m questioning these things because I go to the UK often. Again, I think people should blog about things they’re comfortable discussing.
Kimber An, That’s how I look at most topics. As long as you’re not attacking people with personal jabs and getting defensive when someone disagrees with your opinion, then it should be fine.
Hi Jordan:
Excellent well worded post concerning an interesting topic. I’m not a blogger (yet) but am seriously considering becoming one. I’ve lurked a lot over the years and only recently started posting comments. If the topic concerns an issue I am uncomfortable addressing I just don’t post.
However, I am a passionate believer in freedom of expression and speech. I think bloggers should post and discuss any topic they feel is an issue of importance to them or others, whether they be a published author or not.
That being said there certainly is a double standard out there with respect to gender. I do think that a male author has more latitude regarding what they can post and discuss and not have it affect their book sales or whatever. I can appreciate that a female trying to establish herself as a romance novelist would be reluctant to alienate readers, because that certainly could happen, be it right or wrong. It sucks actually but people are people and there are archaic attitudes out there.
I pop by and read John Mayer’s blog from time to time. Now here is a guy who is in the media eye constantly. He seems to be quite intelligent, and has very definite views on a variety of topics, and he has no compunction about blogging with respect to said topics. John Mayer doesn’t care about any backlash with regarding his posts, but he is a male and mega wealthy. He is established in the music business. One has to wonder if he were a she and a struggling musician if he would be posting his views so openly? hmmmmm
I won’t ramble any more. lol
Regards
Lea
Lea, I hope you enjoy the blogging experience. I’ve heard about John Mayer’s blog, but I’ve never visited it. I still think he’d be okay voicing his opinions, even if he wasn’t famous.
“I can’t get past racism, homophobia, misogynism, and a few other things. ”
Sorry! That should be misogyny instead of misogynism.
I took my blog down after I was handed my ass on a plate. In an effort to be helpful, I posted some thoughts about being careful what you say in blogland, that the person you’re insulting today may be the person you need to ask for a blurb tomorrow. Ironically, what I wrote was interpreted in a way I never meant and I decided being helpful was not healthy for me. As a member of the RWA Board of Directors, I can’t afford to say things that can be misconstrued and brought to bear on the rest of the board, or RWA, no matter how innocent I was in saying something. Maybe when I’m no longer on the board, I’ll go back to blogging. But I doubt it. The whole thing left the worst taste in my mouth. It was brutal.
Barb, Those would not be things I would blog about unless it was to draw attention to someone behaving badly.
Sorry that should have been Barbara.
Stephanie, Unfortunately, you’re in a bad position blogger wise. There are a lot of people out there who cannot (ie will not) separate you from RWA. Because of this, you’re likely to catch more flack than the average Joe blogger. No matter how good your intentions are people will take whatever you say as being from RWA.
I’m sorry you were attacked. The internet is a very interesting place in that respect. People who would not normally be brave enough to come up to you in person and slam you have no problem doing so online.
I am not yet published, but for me, this is a professional image question. A blog, like a website, is the public face of the published author and for me, that ‘publised author’ is a business. I don’t expect businesses I work with or patronise to tell me about their personal beliefs and by and large I wouldn’t expect readers to be interested in mine. Although, as Barb Samuels said in a workshop I did with her recently, ‘if you want to know what’s important to me, you just have to read my books!’
If I wanted to blog about controversial subjects, in the interests of promoting free speech and exchange of opinion (or just to get something off my chest) I think I would do it on a separate blog and not under the name I publish under. This is perhaps a good argument for using a pen name. Then you can be as radical as you like in your real life, without asking your readers to choose one way or the other.
I do think this is a girl thing, btw. My husband likes Tom Clancy books but I don’t think it would ever occur to him to want to find his website, even less to want to ‘connect’ with him. Maybe some men do, but mostly, I think it is women who want to have this connection, to feel they know people whose work they like. And of course, if you feel someone is your friend and they suddenly say something that offends you, it is going to come as a rude shock and quite possibly put you off.
In this context I see self-censorship not as a bad thing, but as a sensitive thing to do to keep the experience nice for people who come to your site or blog looking for more of what they liked about you in your work. Of course, if what you publish is hard-edged, controversial stuff, then you can probably be as controversial as you like! ;>
Also, like Denise, I am cautious about what I put on the web. Once in cyberspace, it can never be taken back, so I avoid speaking in haste. If I don’t think I could stand by it, personally and professionally, tomorrow or in 5 years, I choose not to say it. I have also chosen on occasion not to weigh into an argument because it seems that everything has already been said and I choose not to prolong the discussion – obviously not the case here!
FWIW, Imelda
Imelda, ***I do think this is a girl thing, btw. My husband likes Tom Clancy books but I don’t think it would ever occur to him to want to find his website, even less to want to ‘connect’ with him. Maybe some men do, but mostly, I think it is women who want to have this connection, to feel they know people whose work they like. And of course, if you feel someone is your friend and they suddenly say something that offends you, it is going to come as a rude shock and quite possibly put you off. ***
The unfortunate thing about this point is there are too many people out there to please. It’s pretty much impossible. So even if you think you’re putting on a professional face and playing the ‘nice girl’, you might very well be offending a certain percentage of your blog readers. Like you said, I don’t think most men who blog have to worry about this. It’s definitely a ‘girl’ thing.
[...] What’s hip, what’s now, what’s tomorrow in the romance genre world. « Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Controversial October 6th, 2008 by Kassia [...]
I guess this is a perfect example of the problem, Jordan. When I wrote that comment, I thought I was being completely clear about how I felt. Now I see it sounds like I was advocating pure sweetness and light at all times – which wasn’t really what I meant and I sincerely doubt will reflect my actual performance when it comes down to it.
I think Kazzia’s column today says what I was trying to say better, when she talks about the idea of being true to yourself, but not necessarily giving the whole truth. Professional boundaries and sticking to your public voice were definitely what I was getting at. And in terms of being nice, I meant choosing what subjects you will and won’t discuss in your author forum and when discussing them, doing so in a way that you feel is defensible according to your own values (I guess that’s the ‘your mother reads your blog’ part! ;>)
I whole-heartedly agree that you can’t please all of the people all of the time and trying is a quick way to a breakdown. If one is going to publish at all, and especially on the net, where response is so easy and quick, one must (as several other commmenters said) develop a very thick skin!
Imelda, I thought you had a lot of really good points. Still do. And I agree I do think you have to be true to yourself. You rarely go wrong when you do that.
My apologies Kassia!
I knew I should have checked that spelling! What was that I said about posting in haste??? 
Jordan: ditto about the good points. I think this is a discussion that will never go away. The web brings us into contact with such a variety of people that it is inevitable that we will clash with some of them, even if (as you said, in not quite as many words) we confine our remarks to the weather. As long as we can stay polite I think that’s no bad thing – although it may, sadly, be bad for business. But then, nothing in this world is completely without risk and it would be a very dull life if we only ever stuck to the safe!
Imelda, No, I think the internet has created a whole new set of problems with establishing one’s image. Courtesy would be lovely, but I know it won’t always be possible given how things are so often misinterpreted. *g*
[...] Friday and Monday, Jordan and Kassia talked about what it might or might not be wise for professional [...]
[...] Romancing The Blog’s inception, there are been several posts about author blogs, but there hasn’t been one addressing reader blogs (that I could find anyway). I [...]
Goodness yes! I find that it is very hard to blog and not let too much of an ‘opinion’ slip in. I want to be respectful, but I also want to be interesting. Sometimes I am even fearful of making my book reviews biased… that’s when I wondered if I had decended into lunacy. If you can’t offer your opinion about a book, what CAN you offer your opinion about?
I think the problem is that there are so many blogs out there these days; and, at least speaking for myself, the drive to make your blogs one of the best can keep you from giving your honest opinion. But then again, you have to wonder: are you really being true with your readers if you don’t give your honest thoughts and opinions?
It’s really hard to say, and I still haven’t found an answer… but I must say that I admire you raising the question. Everyone’s comments have also been very insightful.
- The Wandering Reader
Wandering Reader, Yes, I’ve found the answers far more interesting than the initial entry. They are very telling.
[...] week, Jordan Summers and Kassia Kroszer engaged the romance community at Romancing the Blog in a debate over author [...]