Insecure Writers Support Group: On Feeling Muzzled #IWSG
For this month's meeting of the Insecure Writers Support Group, I have more of a frustration than an insecurity.
)
This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and clonely Alex J. Cavanaugh. Did you hear that IWSG is holding a SHORT STORY CONTEST?? Stop by insecurewriterssupportgroup.com for details.
We writers have lots to say, right? Thus all the writing. And yet, it seems that outside of our works, we're expected to zip it when it comes to opinions that might not be socially popular. And heaven forbid we ever have the audacity to publicly call out a jerk for being a jerk. Everyone says to be ourselves on the social networks, but really, all an author is allowed to share publicly without backlash is rainbows and marshmallows.
I'm all for staying positive, but I'm not exactly a rainbowy & marshmallowy type of person. I'm sarcastic and irreverent, and I get mad when people are jerks. I'm extremely lucky to have a small circle of trustworthy writer friends I can vent to privately, and it's not that I even want to vent publicly, but sometimes it might be nice to be able to share my grievances with a wider group.
You see, the thing I'd really like to discuss this month is something I know I'd get slapped on the wrist for discussing. I'm supposed to pretend I'm cool with the ugly new thing on my sidebar---which I was never given a chance to give input on and which is the polar opposite of the direction discussed. So, I guess I won't say anything about that and will let it roll off my shoulder and move on like a good little author is expected to do...
How about you - does the muzzle ever chafe you?
)This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as Insecure Writers Support Group, founded by the one and clonely Alex J. Cavanaugh. Did you hear that IWSG is holding a SHORT STORY CONTEST?? Stop by insecurewriterssupportgroup.com for details.
Comments
Unsnap that muzzle! :)
There are so many things I'd like to say but it would be so un-PC.
Girl, I'm so glad to have you to vent to. I might combust without you. Muzzling is probably bad for psychological health, so I'm glad you're finding a way to vent, even if it has to be private at times.
*throws away ugly, ill-fitting gold pumps*
Susan Says
I guess you have to be careful, so you will not be accused of being the attacker, hard to get a long with or crabby too. However ugly deserves what it gets--I think all depends on what it is and why.
I try to be straight forward, and there is always the delete button if it is your platform or website. I have a friend that is really good at politely putting people in their place and it takes a minute to realize you just got told good too, rofl. Makes me laugh thinking about it. I wish I had the knack for that.
Answer to your question, yes it can chafe, but sure feels good when silence lets them hang themselves.
Juneta Writer's Gambit
I've kept potentially controversial, polarizing issues off my blog, for fear of offending readers who may hold differently. My old Angelfire site was full of opinionated posts on political, social, religious, cultural, etc., matters, but that earned me some hate mail, and eventually got my site deleted after I offended a mentally unbalanced woman and her sycophantic friends. Once every so often, I may write something hinting at my personal views, but it's not in-your-face anymore.
I avoid a lot of my opinions about life things on my blog to avoid any potential backlash. A few times I have let my opinions fly in blog comment sections and then regretted it because it was something that either became a prominent part of my search engine presence or resulted in some unpleasant interchanges with others.
Occasionally I do tweet something opinionated, but I don't think that many people actually read Twitter--at least not my little tweets.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
I think as long as we're being professional and respectful, and not breaking any contract confidentiality issues, we should stand by our convictions. On the other hand, I kind of wish people would read my work because of the work, not because of my personal beliefs, whether I share those or not. It's a tough balancing act.
There is nothing ugly on your sidebar.
What's ugly?
Hopefully, the new Survivor will start soon and we can be cheered up.
I think we all hold our tongues in public. Thank goodness for inner circles of trusted family and friends.
Love,
Janie