Over here in the US of Holy Shit, we have a few problems. A few, big, huge giant, honking seven hundred billion dollar problems. Add to that a light-your-pants-on-fire contested presidential race (aren’t you glad I write a romance blog and not political punditry? I know I am) and you have one very exhausted Sarah who is more than ever grateful for every opportunity to take refuge in the “yes, it will end happily” world of the romance novel. The billionaires, they don’t lose their shirts or invest in sub prime mortgages in Harlequin Presents’ world. They don’t need no stinkin’ Dow. Their money is inherited and, since they’re worldy wise and brilliant, probably collecting more interest sitting in shoeboxes under the bed.
Anyway, over here, it’s crazy pants time. The election is a little over a month away, there’s debates on television (note: I think any candidate who does not answer the damn question asked of them should lose time to talk. There should be a moderator with time docking power, is all I’m sayin) and signs and ads everywhere, and the tension is only going to increase. Which leads me to my next question:
How do you feel about authors discussing politics? A few authors have emailed me privately with videos and links, and I’ve discussed the current presidential race over email with heaps of people, but more than once, I’ve had someone remark that they feel awkward saying anything on their blogs about the political situation. One author said she didn’t feel like she was in a position to get political: whereas it’s ok for actors to embrace activism, for authors of commercial fiction, it’s not ok at all.
My general reaction is, “Why not? Go for it. If you have something to say, say it.” Yes, it may alienate some readers. Yes, it may mean that people who don’t politically agree with you vow never to buy your books again! (Yeah, says I. Riiiight. I’ll believe it when I have access to their bookstore buying history.) Yes, it might raise a particular kerfuffle, but in the long run, these folks live in the same world I do and I am very curious as to what they think. But I mentally keep it separate from their work. They as people do a lot more in a day than merely writing the books I read. So of course they have things to say about taxes and war and expenditure and governmental oversight, etc.
But yet there’s that reticence. And I get it – I totally get it. But I am never comfortable keeping my own mouth shut because it might be better for someone else. John Scalzi agrees. When asked if fiction writers should write about politics, he replied:
The reader who believes a fiction author should keep his or her opinions to themselves is effectively (if generally unintentionally) saying “You exist only to amuse me. You are not allowed to do anything else.” To which the only rational response is: blow me.
I’m not going to hesitate to add my voice to the national dialogue on any subject just because someone somewhere might not be happy with what I have to say. And more to the point, I think it is bad and dangerous thinking for people to suggest that fiction writers should have to live in a black box of opinion.
[My apologies for not being able to remember who sent me that link. But you’re awesome!]
I concur heartily, and do want to hear what people think, or, at least, read about it. I think it’s a cousin to the Romancelandia culture of Be Nice Or Else that silences romance authors on the subject of politics when authors wish to discuss it – though obviously if you’d like to not talk about it, that’s totally understandable.
I’m always dumbstruck, though, by the idea that someone who sends me a video or web page that has to do with their political opinion often includes a “if you don’t support this person, I hope I didn’t offend you.” I am rarely offended if you disagree with me. Telling me I’m a horrible person with no moral compass because I disagree with you, well, that’s obnoxious to be sure. But disagreement itself isn’t offensive – just like offending someone isn’t the same as assaulting them (TM Robin). I hate that two people with different political viewpoints keep quiet when around one another because they might…disagree. Argue. Debate. Oh, shit, dialogue. That’s just terrible. Can’t have that. Holy crap.
So if you’re an author who is very politically exercised right now, do you keep silent on the subject? Do you keep your political commentary in a specific environment, such as your personal non-author-related blog? Does your political activism on your author blog extend to encouraging voting and political involvement but not discussions of a particular candidate? Does the relative prominence of your name as an author mean you’re less likely to be outspoken about your personal feelings about the current campaigns? Or do you prefer that romance be a politics-free zone, from the authors to their blogs?
What’s the fallout if an author you like takes a political stand that you don’t like, and really, does it matter? Is an absence of politics the only way to go when you’re trying to sell something, because we’re so polarized that alienating the sales base is bad idea jeans? What’s your take?
I’m another person who won’t buy a writer’s books if I don’t like the writer. I might get the books out of the library, but I won’t purchase them.
And in fact, hilariously enough, John Scalzi IS one of the writers whose works I won’t buy!!! In that Bedlam-ish brouhaha over the Open Source Boob Project, Scalzi had a couple of really unfortunate posts about the whole thing, and it turned me off so bad that I’ve never bothered to read his stuff since, let alone pay for it.
It goes both ways, I guess. I won’t chide the author for having opinions. Don’t chide me for refusing to buy that author’s works. There’s no law that says I have to.
I don’t think it’s a matter of telling authors what they can and can’t talk about. Or actors or musicians or any other entertainer. JMHO is that much of the public see us as entertainers and that’s what they need from us—entertainment. Not something they can see on television, read in a newspaper, listen to on the radio, read on the internet, read in books.
I’m fine with people expressing their opinions. Barry Eisler is an author with very strong political views and he blogs about them regularly. I like how he does it. First of all he makes a statement about what he blogs about and then he rationally discusses the topic like last night’s VP debate. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=73911562
I think that’s key, too—if an author does want to discuss their opinions, do it rationally and professionally. As in not “J. Jones is such a fhead” but “I strongly disagree with J. Jones on X topic.” Or whatever.
Sure, flip out, be angry, shout your opinion—but think about your audience and what they are there to hear. Barry does a great job of it. A little snippet from his blog intro:
Barry is a NYT thriller novelist (former CIA and lawyer) and has a movie from his assassin series coming out in 2009 starring Gary Oldman.
Yes, he’s an author stating his political views. But he’s also not in the business of HEA like we romance authors are. I’ve been on a panel with Barry and he thought *he* had a lot of sex in his novels. We romance writers had him blushing. (Just a sidebar—he’s damned cute and nice on top of that.)
I SO believe in freedom of speech and anyone expressing their opinion. I just feel that in romance, a lot of readers need a haven, someplace they can enjoy themselves, get a laugh, find out something interesting about the author or her/his books. Romance is about HEAs. Arguing about religion and politics—some people like to argue. Some like to discuss. Some like to listen. Some would rather be some place else where they have a “safe place,” so to speak. And can just have fun and not have more negativity shoved in their faces.
On the general subject of political opinions, anyone who is not yet familiar with this site
http://www.politicalcompass.org/
ought to have a look, do the test, and look at some of the other material. Interesting, enlightening,often surprising, especially in terms of national and international perceptions.
whereas it’s ok for actors to embrace activism, for authors of commercial fiction, it’s not ok at all.
Ummm….says who? The media?? ‘Nuff said.
Oh, and just as an afterthought, perhaps it feels shoved down my throat because it seems very few people discuss anything but politics these days, or at least, people have no compunction about discussing politics with strangers. I grow increasingly weary of meeting new people and having them make political jokes or comments within the first few minutes of our acquaintance, and going on and on about their particular viewpoint. Since odds are I disagree with them at least half the time, I’m forced to either smile weakly and change the subject, or disagree and face an argument. It’s rude, and priggish, and I really wish people would stop doing it.
I’m all politic’d out, frankly.
Before this election, I avoided talking politics on my blog. I didn’t want to alienate readers or potential readers who disagreed with my political views, so I just kept my thoughts to myself.
But this election is too damn important for me to remain silent.
So yes, on my blog, I’ve been blogging about certain candidates and my impressions, all the while linking to sources to back up my statements. And I’ve gotten accounts at political blogs and have started commenting there as well. Regarding the economy, which is such a key issue in this election, I’m encouraging people to go out and read, read, read the numerous blogs dedicated to explaining what these otherwise overwhelming things actually mean, and then come to their own conclusions. We can’t make informed decisions, let alone have informed opinions, unless we understand the argument from all sides.
I realize that blogging about my reaction to specific candidates may alienate some readers, and may even have the net result of me losing readers. That’s a risk I’m willing to take.
That being said, I won’t discuss politics on other people’s blogs (except, cough, when asked for my opinion about authors discussing politics).
I SO believe in freedom of speech and anyone expressing their opinion.
I am as well. What I am against is “celebrities” who state their opinion and IF/WHEN their “fans” voice their dissent, said “celebrities” get totally bent out of shape and bemoan the fact that they’re not entitled to their opinion. @@
If there is one thing I learned in the military is I think that authors are probably very correct not to talk about three things that I won’t talk about in a professional environment either.
Sex
Politics
Religion
If anything I think we know waaaaay too much about other peoples opinions about these things in the wrong places.
I think making a revealing comment on any of these topics in maybe a blog devoted to talking about those subjects is one thing but presenting it on a professional blog devoted to your books and your livelihood is another.
Your opinion does matter in my view but in the appropriate context not at the office.
I grow increasingly weary of meeting new people and having them make political jokes or comments within the first few minutes of our acquaintance, and going on and on about their particular viewpoint.
My mom and dad told me early and often, NEVER discuss politics and/or religion with anyone! Easiest/quickest way to lose friends and make enemies.
I’m with you, Lori! And Colbert right along with Stewart.
December, I’m right there with you at this point. Is it time for the election yet so we can express our opinions at the polls? I wish. One more month . . . We need to get our butts out there and VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!
Writers, like actors, singers and others in the public eye, are CITIZENS, and are entitled to express their opinion. However, as Natalie Maines and The Dixie Chicks found out, sometimes expressing those opinions has consequences. The Dixie Chicks received death threats, their children were physically threatened, and they were certainly hit in the pocketbook when people didn’t agree with their statements. On the other hand, some of us DID agree with their statements, appreciated their guts in speaking up, and actually bought their records when we otherwise might not have. This cuts both ways.
Ultimately it’s up to each citizen, artist or not, to decide which consequences they’ll accept, what they’ll risk, by speaking their opinions or beliefs aloud. These opinions might lead me to some conclusions about a writer’s personal worldview that I might not agree with, but if the writing’s good, the writing’s good.
I don’t mind the author talking politics, in fact I encourage everyone to talk politics! The more people talk politics the more informed everyone is (if nothing else, they research to present a rebuttal to their opponents)
However, here’s my hypocrite card – though I encourage authors (and everyone) to talk politics, I desperately avoid reading the views of ANY author I love. Whether it’s on politics or anything else for that matter. I hate it when i love a series of books then I read something the author has said and it make me cringe or enrages me. If it’s really bad it would colour the books for me and I’d never be able to read them the same way again
Lori asked:
Nope. I’d take her books out of the library if I wanted to read them, but I wouldn’t give my money to causes I actively oppose. (Which is why I don’t belong to Curves.) Now, obviously, people give money to all kinds of things, and usually we don’t know what they are. But if an author takes a stance that she’s going to promote those causes—which is what she’d be doing making a statement like that on her blog—that’s different from giving to them privately.
Naturally, a writer with considerable commercial success already has less to worry about than one who’s on the beginning of their career. One with multiply bestsellers is less likely to suffer the consequences of, for example, putting a “donate to defeat California’s Proposition 8” button on her website than is an author with a shorter history.
I tend to think authors should keep ranting politics off their blogs, or put them in a separate section so that those who are interested in seeing that side of an author can do so, but those who are not don’t have to. If you feel strongly about something, you do want the freedom to express that, but it doesn’t have to be on the front page where people who come for a little escapism have to deal with it. Perhaps an internal page called “political ramblings” or something, so that people who want to know what feel can find out.
One thing that’s notable here—authors fall into one distinct political persuasion most of the time (as long as we mean American party politics). You’ll see it in your comments here, too. I’d be interested to see if the readership splits down similar lines. Or if the political beliefs of readers are related in any way to the kinds of books they read or subgenres of romance. Obviously, paranormal romance, for example, won’t appeal to someone with a hardline Christian conservative voter, but I wonder if there are other differences that make it more or less dangerous to talk about your beliefs because it is more or less likely to alienate your audience.
TeddyPig: what’s interesting to me about your comment is that in general company, that’s totally true. But in RomanceLandia, there’s already a weird presumption of intimacy between readers and authors because the authors are writing about two very intimate topics: sex and relationships. Think of how many readers tell erotica authors about their sexual escapades, or how many readers feel a true kinship with their favorite authors (and then accompanying feelings of betrayal if they disagree). The mixed intimacy of the reader/author relationship in Romance is very peculiar.
So mixing politics into it becomes problematic for a lot of reasons, like dark spots before a soap bubble pops. The sexual discussion is frequent and appropriate in context, but the intellectual intimacy of discussing and debating political views is not.
I sometimes express political opinions in my professional blog, but I usually keep them confined to my personal blog. People who know me know how I feel.
I did post a link at my Darlene Marshall Facebook fan page to “SayNo2”. I don’t think mean spirited amendments that penalize adults—gay and straight—for who they love belong in our Florida state constitution.
Sarah, I honestly wish I knew less about my politicians on these subjects too.
Nothing floored me more than McCain and Obama talking at a Pastor’s Forum in Southern California like it was a debate.
I thought church and state was supposed to be kept separate? Why do I get a bad feeling that we are turning into a theocracy? I don’t want a Religious Right or a Religious Left.
I want “answers to hard questions” in plain language from both candidates but I guess that’s like this Bailout Bill a bunch of high dollar promotion and pork without much actual realistic solutions.
From Forbes.com
I think this intimacy thing is more about wanting to feel like best buddies and professionally I think that is not appropriate and fake.
Sarah, I honestly wish I knew less about my politicians on these subjects too.
Nothing floored me more than McCain and Obama talking at a Pastor’s Forum in Southern California like it was a debate.
I thought church and state was supposed to be kept separate? Why do I get a bad feeling that we are turning into a theocracy? I don’t want a Religious Right or a Religious Left.
I want “answers to hard questions” in plain language from both candidates but I guess that’s like this Bailout Bill a bunch of high dollar promotion and pork without much actual realistic solutions.
From Forbes.com
I think this intimacy thing is more about this misguided need of wanting to relate to an author and professionally I think that is a mine field. I am not saying “Don’t be nice” or “Don’t be supportive” or “Don’t be yourself” I am just about keeping an appropriate distance. Especially on the internet.
From an email from an author who wishes to remain anonymous:
Sarah, I honestly wish I knew less about my politicians on these subjects too.
Nothing floored me more than McCain and Obama talking at a Pastor’s Forum in Southern California like it was a debate.
I thought church and state was supposed to be kept separate? Why do I get a bad feeling that we are turning into a theocracy? I don’t want a Religious Right or a Religious Left.
I want “answers to hard questions in plain language” from both candidates but I guess that’s like this Bailout Bill a bunch of high dollar promotion and pork without much actual realistic solutions.
From Forbes.com
I think this intimacy thing is more about this misguided need of wanting to relate to an author and professionally I think that is a mine field. I am not saying “Don’t be nice” or “Don’t be supportive” or “Don’t be yourself” I am just about keeping and maintaining a certain distance of respect. Especially on the internet.
I am a little conflicted here. On the one hand, I absolutely believe that all people should follow politics and vote. On the other hand, it irritates me when people want to vote for McCain. There, I said it. I haven’t run into any authors who mentioned this fact, but it would irritate me, and I am not sure I could read the books without remembering the fact. I read a enewletter from an author who mentioned her strong Christian beliefs that led her to believe (small minded, bigoted thing) and that ruined the likelyhood that I can read her books without throwing them against the wall.
I feel the same way about religion. I am an atheist, and I tend to assume most people in the US, romance writers included, are some form of Christian because statistically, that’s probably what they check off on the census. However, Jesus talk on your blog makes it unlikely I am going to come back.
I wouldn’t. This wouldn’t be terribly difficult for me, as I don’t buy that many books brand new- and the only way the author could donate that 15% was if I bought the book brand new. It would disappoint me if, say, SEP’s secret baby fetish was the result of a loathing of abortion. I can’t say I would burn my signed copy of It Had to be You, but rereading it, I would probably be a little soured, and notice more things that bugged me and judge it harshly.
Laura Vivanco- absolutely agree. Romance novels are very political in ways we don’t necessarily pay attention to. I have a difficult time reading about heros or heroines in the military, but I might be the only one, given how many books there are. The fact that there are so few gay characters says something about the world these characters inhabit, or the lack of bisexuals, or interracial couples. I can’t think of a single bisexual in a romance novel (evil killers excepted, Cheryl Holt). The way that no one ever says, hey, the condom broke, let’s go get Plan B. The apparent lack of buses. Its really irritating.
I think I prefer a separation. When I am “novelist” I am creator of my own mental backyard where I let others come and play. It is a secret identity I put on to be in my happy place. In my own backyard I am benevolent dictator and queen of all I survey.
In politics I am just another voter. If I am writing about politics for purposes of publication, I am writing non-fiction; that is a whole different gig. As in GHOSTBUSTERS I wouldn’t cross the streams.
Using celebrity in one to try to substantiate the other strikes me as weak minded and sloppy. It would be like saying, “I am a pharmacist so I am also a good cook” that goes right back to your symbolic logic from yesterday’s discussion. It just doesn’t pan out.
If you want to talk about politics, join a political chat or blog or twitter or whatever. If you want to PURSUE politics, make a MySpace for that. A link between them would be fine. If a reader pursues my political mumblings through a link and gets offended, he asked for it.
One final (incendiary) thought. If you think there is no difference as a writer between writing good fiction and good non-fiction, you have another think coming.
Good non-fiction requires an extreme mental and verbal clarity that is its own gift; creating a realistic, believable fictional world whether it is Victorian London or the Dreadful Planet Snookums is a different one. (Not mutually exclusive)
I actually don’t care one way or another if the authors express their political opinions outside of their books. I mean, if you’re just reading a person’s working for the sheer entertainment value and a happily-ever-after, why are you even paying attention to what they say in a blog or anywhere else? If that’s all you’re looking for from the authors, just put an alert on amazon.com or some other similar site so you know when they have a new book coming out and go along your merry way. There’s nothing saying that you actually have to pay attention or read about what an author’s doing or supporting in their personal life. It’s the same with actors – I know this might be a shock to some people, but ALL TVs have an off button. If you don’t want to hear it, you don’t have to listen to it. I do feel they should be calm and rational about it rather than insulting, but I believe that of EVERYBODY, no matter what line of business you may be in. People are more likely to listen to and respect your opinion if you state your opinion in a logical manner, even if they don’t agree with you.
As for having it in the books… Well, I’m a political science major in college right now. I love politics. I see it as a way of life – it affects EVERYTHING in our world. Most people don’t see it but it does, in everything from what we are legally able to do down to the price of our groceries. Because it’s a topic I enjoy, I’m honestly more likely to purchase a book if it has a bit of politics in it. My ideal happily-ever-after includes a behind-the-scenes political career and success for my personal causes. It thrills me to death when I actually find it or something similar in a book. I realize this is my personal preference, but that’s the great thing about books – if you don’t like the topics addressed in one, you don’t have to buy it. There are PLENTY of options out there at the bookstores.
Just for the record, 100% of all the monies I earn on books goes directly to shoes.
So it’s ok for someone to say what they like, but I can’t express my disagreement by withholding my financial support? That sounds somewhat uneven. If someone expresses an opinion in a manner that makes me think less of them, what is so wrong about choosing not to support them? For me it’s not about punishment, I don’t expect someone to change who they are or what they think because I stop buying their book, but it is about not helping fund someone who I dislike. It’s my money, I should be able to decide who I want to give it to and why.
Personally, I think celebs/authors have as much right to their opinion as anyone else. And I reserve the right to dislike them and/or their opinion just as I would anyone else on the street. True, I don’t effect most people’s income when I choose to disassociate myself from them, but then most people I meet don’t make their money from me.
I try not to buy products from companies who’s practices I disagree with, why should an author’s product be any different?
Honestly, though? I don’t pay much attention to an author’s political, religious, or sexual preferences. It’s not really my business. It would only really effect me if they they were using the proceeds of books to fund something I disagree strongly with, because then it’s kind of like I’m supporting that cause when I wouldn’t want to.
Everybody has an opinion about politics. That is just life. And no one should be punished because he/she isn’t in agreement with someone else.
Just so y’all know I am usually die hard republican.
However, this race is one that is hard to choose. Both candidates are worth their weight in gold. It has been a long time since we saw truly good candidates (not whiners and puppets; how I viewed our last election) and sometimes we need someone else’s negative and positive viewpoints so that we don’t miss things. Constructive criticism is a GOOD thing!
The only time I get upset (not angry) with an opinion is when A) it is being shoved down my throat big time or B) someone doesn’t have all the facts and refuses to quit attempting to shove something at me when it may be not the whole truth. Notice I say whole because political statements always have some truth.
As to writers being punished? I will continue to buy books from any author I like until their writing style turns into something I don’t. (Not naming names; have had a couple authors who took a left turn and left me behind because I didn’t like where they were going. None of those were political changes). And honestly, politics adds a whole new dimension for some books that can make it even more interesting.
To the teacher further up, though we appear to stand on opposite sides of the fence here, I am truly sorry to hear that you have to suppress your political feelings at your job. A university should be more open in my opinion. Everyone needs to be heard regardless of his/her stance
Respect for a diversity of opinion should be a hallmark of political discourse. In my opinion that is where a disconnect often occurs. I love interacting with people that see things differently from me….as long as they don’t demean me in the process. Sadly, when discussions turn to politics or religion, many individuals exhibit alarming intolerance for people who strongly disagree with their point of view. Frankly, no one segment of society has cornered the marked on intelligence or rational thought.
Hmmm… I try to remember to subscribe to Voltaire’s view on democracy, but in our society it seems to have been forgotten by supporters of both sides. Whatever happened to
(or write, depending on which translation we are dealing with)?
I am fine with other points of view. I may debate them but I try to remain respectful. Polarization is one of the downsides of a two party (as opposed to multi-party) system. But I cannot respect the hate that seems to spew from some (on both sides) when their stance is questioned… if we did not have someone to take the opposing stance, then it would not be a democracy would it?
Considering this involves both books and politics (and recent discussions here), an on topic debate could be banned books, and the firing of Librarians who oppose censorship.
I have to say that I agree. I don’t really frequent the personal boards and blogs of authors, in general. It’s not a conscious decision, because I have gone to a few author blogs. However, I find that I don’t tend to frequent them regularly, if ever, after the initial visit. Conversely, I stop by SBTB several times a day. Thinking about it, I think it’s because I simply don’t want to know. If I love someone’s work, I don’t want to know that they are voting for McCain or think Palin is just the bestest thing ever. I don’t want to know if they are stridently vegan or donate 50% of their earnings to PETA. I don’t want to know if they think that the earth is flat or that dinosaur bones are God’s way of testing your faith because the earth is only 5000-6000 years old. I don’t want to know if they are planning a visit to my lovely state just so they can finally take in the wonder that is The Creation Museum (The must-see vacation spot for people who think that The Flintstones was a documentary, apparently.)
On the whole, I don’t really think it’s my business what the author, as a person, thinks or believes or enjoys. I’m pretty much the same way about actors and singers, too. (Though, admittedly, it’s a lot harder to not hear far more than I want to about some celebrities and, sadly, in some cases, I really have a hard time separating the actor as a character versus the actor as a person when I see them in a movie or tv show because of it.) That said, I whole-heartedly endorse an author’s right to think or believe whatever he/she chooses and to talk about it and blog about it and if I come across it in the message boards I frequently, I’m fine with it. I just don’t go out of my way to seek out these opinions because I just want to enjoy their work without having anything color my enjoyment, good or bad.
I think what bothers me most about politics in general and the presidential election in specific is that it sometimes seems like the greatest proportion of the general populace completely slept through their government classes in high school. People act like every single thing that comes out of our federal government, good or bad, is absolutely and incontrovertibly the president’s fault (or triumph, whichever.) Sometimes, it’s like the Senate and Congress don’t even exist! And, granted, the president is responsible for a fair proportion of legislation, but not All Of It. Quite a bit comes out of the other branches, and they don’t all make decisions based on party lines. I understand that the president is a figurehead for the government as a whole, but I feel that there’s not enough emphasis placed on the rest of the system—maybe it’s because this is the only election in which both myself (in Washington) and my three closest friends (in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Tennessee) all have the exact same candidates?
I’ve also noticed a tendency among my acquaintance to vote by party, No Matter What, even when they disagree with the actual candidate on most major issues. I think that is where a lot of arguments happen among friends; when one feels that the other is acting hypocritically, and is trying to understand their position. Unfortunately, dogmatic individuals don’t operate under normal rules of logic, and get defensive when someone points out that they’re being…well, dogmatic.
The only time a writer expressing an opinion on a controversial topic will ever offend me enough to stop buying his or her work is if he/she implies that I’m in any way inferior because I don’t hold that same opinion. I respect everyone’s right to think and believe as they will as well as their right to express those beliefs. It’s one of the attributes that I think makes America…well, America. But I expect to respected in turn, and only those who are so egocentric as to believe otherwise will turn me away from anything having to do with them. I’m more likely to lose respect for a person – writers or anyone – based on their attitude towards other’s differing opinions and how they express their own beliefs rather than the beliefs themselves.
Too, as I expressed on my blog this morning, I think writers, as people with the special ability to express themselves eloquently, do a service to other writers when they express their opinions in well thought-out ways. By showing us viewpoints that differ from our own, other writers can help us break away from our own thinking to create characters that differ from us when the knee-jerk is to default back to our own beliefs when creating characters from scratch.
I think this is indicative of Americans’ desire to be nice and liked. Politics is far more openly discussed in other countries.
Would I buy an author’s work if I disagreed with their politics? I think it depends on what the issue is. I find homophobic/ racist/ elitist authors hard to read, but wouldn’t avoid the works of someone who is a fiscal conservative or libertarian. I don’t tell others how to live and expect others to respect my privacy as well.
My parents so didn’t subscribe to that rule. I’ll discuss politics and religion with anyone who wants to discuss. This doesn’t mean I’m going to start a discussion with strangers on the street (if I’m somewhere reading watching something about politics and someone comments on what we’re watching I won’t tell them to shut up, but I like getting into such discussions with people I don’t know) but if I’m in a group of people and the topics come up I’m not going to tune out or keep my opinions to myself.
And, somehow, I’ve yet to lose friends because I don’t believe in religion and they all do or because they’re all Republicans and I’m not. But this is probably because I’m sane and can respect their views even if I disagree with them and vice versa.
Ultimately I think it’s just a matter of what you enjoy. A lot of people don’t like or want to discuss politics and so when it’s election time and that’s the topic of the day it becomes obnoxious and people just don’t want to see the word politics anymore. I am not one of those people so I say let every one talk about politics if they want to and I’ll pick what I want to read and what I don’t.
I struggled with this myself, but I finally plunged in because this race is so important to me and I needed an outlet.
I’ve stated clearly on my political posts that opposing views are welcome and encouraged but there will be no flaming of any kind… I’ve had one anonymous post who disagreed with me but wasn’t ugly or inflammatory.
My biggest message overall has been to get out and vote, although I did jump in and explain why I’m voting Obama. And then my Obama yard sign was vandalized so I had to blog about that. Also, i went to oxford for the debate and I blogged about that with pictures.
I am of the mind that it’s okay if you disagree with my politics. I respect you if you’ll respect me. I’m not going to stop buying someone’s books because they’re voting for McCain. I would hope the fact that I’m an Obama girl wouldn’t stop someone from buying my books.
Tina C. said:
I don’t either. Authors whose work I enjoy AND who write or blog about craft or the business of writing might get a hit or two from me, but otherwise… (shrugs).
I guess it’s about boundaries. As a reader, I don’t expect an author to be my friend. I don’t have to feel I have a up-close-and-personal relationship with a writer, or have deep insight into their personal life, to appreciate their work.
Political views are a matter of that person’s opinion. My own family has very diverse political views. I’m not going to stop loving my brothers because they believe and vote opposite of me. I’m going to go out and vote and cancel out one of them’s vote. Would I buy an author if they voted different than me on candidates or issues? I absolutely would. My requirement from an author is to tell a story that I can relate to. Do that and I’ll happily support you until the writing doesn’t appeal to me anymore. And in fact I do heartily support the right to arm bears. 🙂
Me neither. I’ve been on a bunch of authors’ blogs whose writing I loved loved loved and then over the course of reading the blog became very… disenchanted? I dunno. Blogging is a very strange animal. People’s personalities and characters are betrayed. It’s kind of weird. I often would end up reading a writer’s blog and going, “Holy crap, I wish I hadn’t read that” and then kind of frantically click on the X at the corner of the web page.
I’ve learned my lesson. There are a handful of writers/other public people whose blogs do not end up making me think I’ve just caught them naked and scratching themselves in the kitchen. That handful of blogs I will read. The rest, I avoid like the plague.
(Amusingly, I wonder how much posts like this reveal my e-dentity, such as it is, naked and scratching myself in the kitchen, for all the world to see. LOL…)
Not totally related to the issue, but I stopped watching Mel Gibson’s movies after The Passion of the Christ and his drunken tirade after being arrested. He actually makes me physically ill when I watch him on TV and he used to be my favorite pretty faced actor. The point that I’m trying to make here is that if an author/musician/performer expresses an opinion that is radically against what I believe to be right, I just can’t enjoy their work anymore.
Political/sexual/religious preferences different to mine? As long as they are respectful to others, I don’t mind at all.
I think it’s a personal choice for any author—or person—to make whether or not to discuss politics or not. For me, I do, but my family also talked politics. People are going to like you or not based on your books, and if they chose not to like you because you support one candidate over another, then that’s their choice. As to me, it’s a matter of retaining my rights as a woman, having equality for all people, and other issues I am deeply concerned about—-I support Obama all the way. If people chose to not like me or read my prospective books because of that . . . well, so be it.
I find AgTigress’ words really fascinating from a non-American perspective:
What’s interesting to me is that a) she’s right in a way because I was immediately a bit offended by that post, and b) it illustrates that a lot of American views are obviously not getting out to a worldwide audience.
I honestly don’t think it’s true that all American political positions are way to the right of center. I think those to the left have fallen into the trap of pandering to the right in speechifying, but I do think there are some pretty strong left-leaners out there in office and a LOT of strong left-leaners in the populace in general. AgTigress, there are a lot of us who are quite liberal indeed.
As far as authors posting their own views, I think an author should feel free to express herself or himself however they want. But realizing that standing up and expressing a strong viewpoint may indeed have some backlash. I’m sure all of us have certain hot-button issues that are polarizing for us. But for the most part, unless that political view is also jammed down my throat in the writings of that author, I can let it go.
Real world example, I almost didn’t read past Karen Traviss’ City of Pearl because it was so vegan/animal rights oriented and that’s a hot-button issue for me (I’m very pro animal welfare, anti animal rights). I decided the books were worth it and let it go, but it was a struggle.
Depends on the definition of “matter.” Will it change my book reading/buying habits? Not necessarily. Recently I read a science fiction series I liked and found out later that the author was a very conservative person. I’d still like to own the series. However, will it make me unhappy that someone who otherwise seems so very intelligent really isn’t? Yes, it will. And if that person also invests in political campaigns that, e.g., work to keep gay people from having the right to visit their sick partners in the hospital, then damn straight I won’t buy their books directly from the bookstore. I’ll try to get them used or in some other way that won’t enrich their anti-gay (or whatever) activities. Conversely, while I admire Suzanne Brockman’s support of gay rights, I find her books disappointing and will not buy them to support her correct view of this issue.