That's Offensive #IWSG
Happy February, everybody! I hope you're all in for a great month.
Recently, I had one of my writing insecurities materialize and roar at me like a tiny little dragon. While posting on a Facebook business page for my day job, I used a phrase that I say pretty regularly. I think it's snappy and cute, but it turns out, one of the customers found it offensive. (The phrase was: "make like a baby and head out" - as in, make like a tree and leave.)
For the life of me, I still can't understand why she was offended, and this makes me wonder if there are parts of my published works that people find offensive, things that I would never expect to be interpreted that way. I often feel like we've become an overly politically-correct culture, so I don't mind offending people if I'm being intentionally offensive, but I don't want to unintentionally offend them.
I guess this is why we have crit partners and editors and eventually reviewers - to help us only be offensive when we want to be, hehe. Thank you for listening. :)
I answered this month's question (How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?) in the course of answering last months question, so you can see that here.
This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as Insecure Writer's Support Group, founded by the one and clonely Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click below to join the group!
Recently, I had one of my writing insecurities materialize and roar at me like a tiny little dragon. While posting on a Facebook business page for my day job, I used a phrase that I say pretty regularly. I think it's snappy and cute, but it turns out, one of the customers found it offensive. (The phrase was: "make like a baby and head out" - as in, make like a tree and leave.)
For the life of me, I still can't understand why she was offended, and this makes me wonder if there are parts of my published works that people find offensive, things that I would never expect to be interpreted that way. I often feel like we've become an overly politically-correct culture, so I don't mind offending people if I'm being intentionally offensive, but I don't want to unintentionally offend them.
I guess this is why we have crit partners and editors and eventually reviewers - to help us only be offensive when we want to be, hehe. Thank you for listening. :)
I answered this month's question (How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?) in the course of answering last months question, so you can see that here.
This post is part of the monthly blog hop/therapy session known as Insecure Writer's Support Group, founded by the one and clonely Alex J. Cavanaugh. Click below to join the group!
Comments
I don't know if I've offended anyone with my writing, but I'm sure I have or will. Because you really can't please everyone—especially not in this current atmosphere. But so long as that person I've offended isn't my mother, I can deal. Probably. :)
Everyone's offended these days. You can't worry about it.
Love,
Janie
I definitely wouldn't want to unintentionally offend someone (and I can't say wanting to intentionally offend ever really happens, either). But I guess some people are just overly-sensitive or are even looking to be offended just so they can make a fuss.
But like you said, it's probably better to know you've got it coming.
Happy IWSG Day!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit