"Writing in a fit of rage only satisfies the writer. To the reader, it’s an exhausting exhibition of undisciplined, amateurish indulgence." - So many social media trolls and commenters need to understand this! I found this really interesting (and admirable). I deliberately shy away from overtly expressing my own opinion when I'm writing or from writing about politics or anything controversial. I hate confrontation - which is probably partly the reason I made such an atrocious lawyer. However I have to admit, in my current pandemic series, it's really difficult to keep politics completely out of it. Though it might be indirect, opinion can't help but sneak in!
As writers we're constantly making choices about how much of ourselves we want to project in our writing. We know going in that expressing unpopular opinions will leave us exposed and vulnerable. It's not always a happy place to be, and if you're not comfortable going there I hope you'll never feel pressured to do it.
It's hard to write about the pandemic without feeling it personally but it'll always be your call when it comes to how much opinion you want to insert. Any accurate information about it does make a difference. We can't read it often enough. So thanks for what you're doing. I hope you'll keep it up.
I admire writers who write opinion pieces for all the BS they take in the comments and across social media from everyone who disagrees with them. So many people anymore think they can say anything behind a screen, the majority of whom probably would never say those same things to someone's face. I have many opinions, but I don't know that I necessarily have the facts to back up those opinions, so I keep my mouth shut and keep those opinions to myself. I'm glad a write a feel-good newsletter about books and reading, and in that forum, I share my opinion frequently and have never suffered yet for it. I'm sure I will suffer at some point in the future, as I've seen vitriol on FB in bookish-related groups when someone mentions a book others don't like, but I'm hoping that is a long time from now, and my community stays the friendly community that it is. I enjoy reading your writing; keep up the good work.
Thank you, Gayla. My problem, I think, is that I was born with a 'Save the World' complex. I don't know where it came from, but I didn't start expressing my opinions publicly until Reagan came along and I happened to be writing a column.
It was scary but things were happening in my town--Detroit--that needed some heavy attention, and I had a public forum. I saw so many others in our rust belt working to save jobs and wages and lives and I just couldn't stand by and do nothing.
I learned over time that I'd better be sure of what I was talking about, but some things are so blatant there's no room for debate. I try not to take any news or opinion at face value, but look for as much unbiased evidence as I can find.
These days controversy is everywhere. You're right to think it can't always be avoided. And you're right to avoid it if it's not a hill you want to die on! Choose your battles!
And write what you want to write. The world needs a little of everything.
"Writing in a fit of rage only satisfies the writer. To the reader, it’s an exhausting exhibition of undisciplined, amateurish indulgence." - So many social media trolls and commenters need to understand this! I found this really interesting (and admirable). I deliberately shy away from overtly expressing my own opinion when I'm writing or from writing about politics or anything controversial. I hate confrontation - which is probably partly the reason I made such an atrocious lawyer. However I have to admit, in my current pandemic series, it's really difficult to keep politics completely out of it. Though it might be indirect, opinion can't help but sneak in!
As writers we're constantly making choices about how much of ourselves we want to project in our writing. We know going in that expressing unpopular opinions will leave us exposed and vulnerable. It's not always a happy place to be, and if you're not comfortable going there I hope you'll never feel pressured to do it.
It's hard to write about the pandemic without feeling it personally but it'll always be your call when it comes to how much opinion you want to insert. Any accurate information about it does make a difference. We can't read it often enough. So thanks for what you're doing. I hope you'll keep it up.
I admire writers who write opinion pieces for all the BS they take in the comments and across social media from everyone who disagrees with them. So many people anymore think they can say anything behind a screen, the majority of whom probably would never say those same things to someone's face. I have many opinions, but I don't know that I necessarily have the facts to back up those opinions, so I keep my mouth shut and keep those opinions to myself. I'm glad a write a feel-good newsletter about books and reading, and in that forum, I share my opinion frequently and have never suffered yet for it. I'm sure I will suffer at some point in the future, as I've seen vitriol on FB in bookish-related groups when someone mentions a book others don't like, but I'm hoping that is a long time from now, and my community stays the friendly community that it is. I enjoy reading your writing; keep up the good work.
Thank you, Gayla. My problem, I think, is that I was born with a 'Save the World' complex. I don't know where it came from, but I didn't start expressing my opinions publicly until Reagan came along and I happened to be writing a column.
It was scary but things were happening in my town--Detroit--that needed some heavy attention, and I had a public forum. I saw so many others in our rust belt working to save jobs and wages and lives and I just couldn't stand by and do nothing.
I learned over time that I'd better be sure of what I was talking about, but some things are so blatant there's no room for debate. I try not to take any news or opinion at face value, but look for as much unbiased evidence as I can find.
These days controversy is everywhere. You're right to think it can't always be avoided. And you're right to avoid it if it's not a hill you want to die on! Choose your battles!
And write what you want to write. The world needs a little of everything.