It's Your Opinion...But should you share it? - Beyond Her Book

Beyond Her Book

More from Barbara Vey

Email: barbaravey@gmail.com

Twitter Updates

Drive By Videos

Flickr Photos

MySpace

Facebook

Blog

Beyond Her Book

« Trust me, you'll love this boo... | Main | Story Casting...For the movie ... »

Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (24)

Barbara Vey

It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
October 10, 2008

There's always been controversy in the world and there always will be. Two sides or more to every story, which is what keeps authors in business (lots of different stories to write). But, when you're a professional, how much of what you believe to be the truth should you share with the public?

With the upcoming election, we have been bombarded by the media in television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the internet. Add in the state of the economy and opinions start flying and tempers rising.

I certainly have mine and my friends and family have offered lively debate on where we are and where we should be going. During the debates, Twitter is ablaze with those following along and offering their interpretation of what's happening. On a lot of the blogs I follow, hot topics are broached and strong feelings come through.

But is this the true venue for this type of public airing of opinion? One blog I read had a very impassioned political piece that I was inching to comment on, but when I tried, I found the posting had been removed. It's a blog run by a group of authors so I don't know if the writer was pressured into removing it or if it was she was having second thoughts about it.

An editor writes her political views, but doesn't allow comments because she won't engage in any argument about it, feeling that it is her right, on her blog, to air her thoughts. Another author made a negative public statement about one candidate and then bashed the other in his blog. When I asked him about it, he explained that he was an independent voter and felt he should put out his feelings on both.

But how do the readers feel about this? Most read books for entertainment and escapism from the drama being played out in their real lives. Do they really need to hear how you feel? Will it make a difference in how they perceive the author? Will they stop reading that writer's books (or start if they agree)? Or doesn't it matter one way or the other.

This topic's been buzzing around at Romancing the Blog for the past week. One interesting point that they bring up is that men can get away with airing their opinions more than women.

What do you think? Would you/do you do it? Do you care if others do? Should you write a separate blog?

And as usual, this is Your Turn Friday where you can post what you've been reading lately to share with others.

Bottom Line: "In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane." ~ Oscar Wilde

Posted by Barbara Vey on October 10, 2008 | Comments (24)

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
joysann commented:

Speaking of Oscar Wilde, I just started a book I found at the library called Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance by Gyles Brandreth. Obviously a mystery, it is set in Victorian England, and while notable friends join Wilde in solving the crime, he's busy picking up ideas for his writing. Since I enjoy mysteries, and I've enjoyed many of the works of Oscar Wilde, I'm hopeful that it will prove to be excellently diverting entertainment. And in the highly charged atmosphere these days, I need diverting entertainment.

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Gayle Carline commented:

Oddly enough, I just removed someone from my Facebook friends because I tired of all the vitriolic videos the person was posting about the candidate I plan to vote for. This person is an author, I am an author (soon to be published), so I lost a possible contact. But I just couldn't stand the emotional bashing - especially when the videos weren't about the candidate's abilities to lead, but about hateful lies being spread. At least, give me something to debate! Oh - and I'm reading Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott.

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
CHRISTINE TOMASSINI commented:

Depends on the vitriol released--if someone just seems to be ranting to no purpose and it's just hateful, yes, that would change my personal opinion and, I admit, color my perceptions of their work if they happen to be an author. (It's happened to some movies I like when I read cast inteviews about how they hated making the film or behind-the-scenes turmoil reflects on the film.) Well, this is a topic you really hit a nerve on Barbara! But I'll save my own rants. I'm reading (and re-reading) Josh Lanyon's four Adrien English mysteries--the latest is "

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
CHRISTINE TOMASSINI commented:

Oops, somehow the title got cut off on my comment. The latest Josh Lanyon is "Death of a Pirate King."

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Jennifer St. Giles commented:

Hey Barb! Just dropping by to say HI and to let you know you're well loved. IMO personal blogs are fair game whoever owns it to post their personal opinion--knowing with the caveat that if they bring their political veiws to the reader in such a public way then they are in turn inviting others to agree or disagree publically and it can have a effect on how they are viewed. Group Blogs that are set up for a purpose,ie the shapeshifter blog I participate in (shapeshifterromance.wordpress.com) should stick to the subject it is advertised to be. Anyway I will be sending you the covers and the arcs for my upcoming books Kiss of Darkness and Bride of the Wolf as soon as they come in! Keep the ball going Barbara. You're fantastic! hugs

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Missy Taylor commented:

I simply don't read others opinions about politics. Be it author, actor, performer, joe blow, whatever I honestly don't care what their opinion is. I don't care that they post it; it is my prerogative to read, watch, etc and I chose not to. Now to what I'm reading...

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
nettisue commented:

The *great* thing about America is the Freedom of Speech. The fact that we all have the right to voice our opinions, whatever those opinions may be. I think that many a soldier has died so that we may have these rights, yet many people disregard this right. People have been slammed for posting their opinion on their blogs, I see NO problem with someone posting their opinion and feel that even if I don't necessarily agree with that opinion, they have every right in the world to state it and I applaud them for using this right. So, imho, if you stop reading an author just because of his/her opinion or slam anyone down for stating their opinion…

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
nettisue commented:

Well Snot! Didn't put the last of my comment in there! Here it is: well then shame on you. Now that I’ve finished ranting, I’ve been reading Beth Trissel’s “Somewhere my Love” I’ve been so busy this week I haven’t gotten to far along with it so I can’t give an honest opinion other than so far so good :D, I also read Summer Devon’s “Learning Charity”. COMPLETELY enjoyed. Just the right touch of humor, great story line. What more could you ask for!? ;)

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
nettisue commented:

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Edie Ramer commented:

I've mentioned my political preference on my personal blog but not my group blog. But I only mentioned it in mine to comment on the brilliant writing of the SNL skits with Tina Fey. Remember the Lesley Gore song "It's My Story and I'll Cry If I Want To"? That's how I feel about blogs. And I read and enjoyed Nora Ephon's I Feel Bad About My Neck.

October 10, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
TarotByArwen commented:

I'm extremely political on Twitter but not on my blog. That's for Tarot and Writing period. I have friends voting for that other guy and that's good. As long as you vote... smile. Currently reading "The Perils Of Pleasure" by Julie Anne Long and really loving it! Great character interactions

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
mary s commented:

Thanks Barb for raising all our awareness on this issue & others--I'm rereading some of the "The Cat Who....." books with/to my Mom for her enjoyment.

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Alana Abbott commented:

I've noticed that what authors post about in their blogs will determine whether or not I read their blogs as well as their books. Some writers have really interesting and insightful things to say about political and social concerns, and while I may not agree with everything they put forward, they give enough food for thought that I find them to be engaging and worth reading for those ideas as well as their writing about writing. Others might be too far afield, or might write so heavily about politics and social concerns that I never hear about what I'm really interested in--their books. Like most things in reading, I suspect it's a matter of taste. I've just picked up Jayne Castle's Ghost Hunter--I enjoyed the first one I read in her Harmony series, so I anticipate enjoying this one as well.

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Shari Anton commented:

Since I don't have a personal blog, I won't be making political statements, and others are allowed to do whatever they wish as long as they realize I have the right not to read them. As for pleasure reading, I'm currently enamored of Anne Perry's Victorian set mysteries, am about 4 chapters into Slaves of Obsession. I also have Black Rose by Nora Roberts on the iPod.

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Jess Granger commented:

I could state my political opinions on my blog, but why should I? Who am I? What do I know? Why should anyone listen to me and form their own political opinions based on mine? I'm an entertainer. I write books for people to enjoy. I'm not a pundit or political insider. That's why I could give a hoot who actors are supporting. Those people get paid to read out loud. What makes them political experts. Everyone should form their own opinions. If you ask me about mine, I'll share them. I just won't broadcast them.

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Ramona Richards commented:

With my website, Facebook, and MySpace pages, I'm trying to present a unified "brand" look - an author of inspirational romantic suspense. And on my blog, I just finished a five-part series on how my heroes "evolve" from concept to persona (especially if they derive from a celebrity crush). There's no room for politics in that agenda. (And like Gayle, I've almost defriended an author who keeps posting some really horrific stuff.) I do read a lot of professional political blogs, but I skip over most other proselytizing on the subject because there's never anything new and most folks' opinions aren't going to sway mine. I respect them - and their right to post them - but I don't pay them any mind.

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Ramona Richards commented:

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Ramona commented:

ACK! No idea why that posted twice. Oh, and I'm reading an ARC of Brandilyn Collins' DARK PURSUIT and Sara Wheeler's TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN

October 11, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Ramona commented:

ACK! No idea why that posted twice. Oh, and I'm reading an ARC of Brandilyn Collins' DARK PURSUIT and Sara Wheeler's TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN

October 12, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
violet s commented:

Good morning Barbara! Thanks for the blog--I keep my political opinions to myself to keep the family peace! Then I express my "opinion" by voting! I am currently reading an Erma Bombeck anthology I found tucked away in a convent library!

October 12, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Barbara Bretton commented:

I stopped sharing my political opinions about ten years ago. The fallout has the half-life of uranium and isn't worth the momentary pleasure of venting. We have the right to free speech but sometimes (at least professionally) discretion is the better part of valor.

October 12, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Barbara Bretton commented:

Forgot to add that I'm reading Julie Andrews' autobiography (surprisingly good) and the latest Tess Gerritsen (not so surprisingly FABULOUS).

October 13, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
Teri Coyne commented:

As an author who uses a blog to connect myself to my readers I try to write to keep my posts about topics that fuel my writing and inspire me. Although I have not written about politics yet, I would do it if I thought I had something new to say or unique to my point of view. I am sensitive to the differing opinions of my readers and am not interested in converting anyone to my opnion, just illuminating and sharing ideas. www.tericoyne.com

October 13, 2008
In response to: It's Your Opinion...But should you share it?
JOANN ROSS commented:

Although I have strong political views, have worked for candidates from both parties over the years, and even put up a lawn sign -- as have many of my neighbors, with a pretty even split -- with everyone so divided these days, I agree with Barbara about discretion when it comes to my online presence.

A quick check of my Myspace friends suggests they're as evenly split as the lawn signs, so there's always the risk of inadvertently hurting feelings. And even losing readers who, since life is complex, probably have a lot more in common with me than my candidate choice might suggest.

As for what I'm reading, I'm transfixed by a remarkably compelling romantic suspense ms my editor sent me. Fade to Black, by Leslie Parrish, will be out from NAL in July 2009, followed by Pitch Black in August, and Black at Heart in September. Put this one on your must-buy list, because it's going sell out fast and you honestly don't want to miss it!