When you know your writing may disturb others, do you change it or stay your cou

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   Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

   When you know your writing may disturb others, do you change it or stay your course?
   
   At 14, my writing got me exiled into remote wilderness for a summer. At 17 a classmate wrote, because I shared a dream in the high school newsletter, 'I wish Gary Smith would leave us alone.' Over the years my writing, without intending it that way, stirred short-term turmoil but in the end it was beneficial. Now I aim to balance being true to myself while kind towards others. It would be interesting to know how others relate to this and maybe it will give me another angle to consider. Do you soften your writing to not offend, or say what you feel and let the chips fall where they may?

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   Adamowenposted 11 years ago

   Very interesting question that I have thought about too. I don't tend to change what I want to say regardless of it's offensive nature, I do however sometimes alter how I say or write something to allow someone to understand what the point I'm making is in their own perspective. I feel that if offense is taken from writing then that's a problem with the reader not the author (unless the author is writing from pure ignorance or spewing false claims). You should always be true to what you believe and feel towards certain topics regardless of an outcome. Of course keeping an open mind is necessary but that comes with criticism of your work.

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   VivaLaVinaposted 11 years ago

   I think this should be every writer's question. As writers, we should write as we all know how and be true. Well, I've been pondering on such question for as long as I make myself a writer, and my answer would go the same as Adamowen.

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   IDONOposted 11 years ago

   If speaking of Hubpages, it depends on your motives. You can write to be creative, funny, address issues, and write with the intent to please or entertain others. This is just for the love of writing.  But if you just want a lot of hits for the purpose of making money or just to satisfy your own ego, you ruffle feathers. People,in general, tend to respond to things that they don't agree with. I guess this is because our selfish human nature tells us to try to change others to fit our thinking. Sad but true.
        Many people write because it's their best way to truly express their real feelings that they are not good at verbalizing. How you write these things depends on if anyone else is going to read it or not. Especially if that person is the subject of your writing. You have to remember, if you write something, you can't deny what you said. It can forever be thrown back up at you. Be careful and you better mean what you write because there is no changing it or twisting it .
        Your goal of balance is very nice, but very difficult. What your intent and situation dictates that. There are times that being true to yourself and being kind are impossible. In other words, what is right doesn't always feel good.
        You have already shown that you are a kind person or you wouldn't have been concerned enough to post this question. Thank you. Will follow.

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Space does not permit me to respond fully. '...depends on your motives....' I'd put that in the category of expressing who I am and acting in the world from my true nature.You have expressed truly from your space & I honor that.Thank you for writ

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   ESPeck1919posted 11 years ago

   For me, it depends completely on topic, audience and situation. When dealing with potentially charged topics, like birth control or learning disabilities, I tend to avoid opinion in favor of verifiable fact. I try to keep my opinion out of it, unless I'm writing in terms of personal experience.
   
   For other topics, like the paranormal and crafts, I try to stay open minded without compromising my beliefs or experiences. At the same time, I refuse to be bated into arguments over whether or not something exists, or what causes a certain phenomenon.
   
   However, on forums like Facebook or tumblr, I can be pretty opinionated. I only sensor myself if I'm speaking directly with a friend who I know has emotional issues with the topic at hand.

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well said. 5 months passed before I felt it was time to post a story which includes an experience of freeing earthbound souls. Years ago, I would have said such a writer is 'of the devil' or deluded. Being true while sensitive to others is my way.

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   dksuttleposted 11 years ago

   When I am feeling courageous...
   When I am feeling "right" ...
   When I am feeling strong ...
   When what I have to say hams none ...
   I stay my course.
   I stay my course because my writing defines me ... so that I better understand myself, a part of my attempt to know myself.
   I stay my course because sometimes I surprise myself ... and that is a good thing!

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is enjoyable to harmonize with the way another sees the gift of writing. I learn much about myself by writing & about others by asking. Yes, writing is part of what defines me, or helps me make my self-definition more clear. Happy surprises ah

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   Jynzlyposted 11 years ago

   If in my writing one subject matter I had offended one person as opposed to 10 others who appreciated it, I won't be bothered. We cannot please everybody. The bottom line is that, I only write my true conviction and the knowledge that I had proven as facts and workable, I would never change, modify nor "soften" my style because I know what I am talking about.

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