THE WRITING ASYLUM

Writers, do you want to bring people together with your writing or piss people off?

It’s a question every writer should consider. We live in a time where keyboard warriors are rewarded and trolls like to flash dance. Yes, I’m thinking of the flasher in “Gremlins”. 

The world seems to be cloaked in dark clouds. Every injustice is under the social media microscope. It’s become a pastime to scapegoat different demographics; left, right, race, sex, orientation, religion, age, disabilities, UFOs… It’s not my place to tell you how to think. The world’s fabric is rich with cultures, dark histories, and different living experiences.

For me, the most beautiful thing is when people from all over the world read my story and have a laugh. It’s kind of like going to the pub and having a drink with a friend. Except better for my liver. All walks of life are welcome to read my smut. You have to bring your dirty brain, that’s my requirement. The connections I develop with people go beyond identity politics. Just don’t be a dick or worse, a hypocrite. 

In layman’s terms, I want to bring people together. 

The Choice: To Bring Readers Together or Piss Readers Off —What’s Your Writing Purpose?

Every writer needs to make their own choice. Opinions and passions are strong for creatives. This week, I stumbled upon many opinionated contentious issue stories. Writers write to express themselves and that’s their right. As a reader, I can troll or politely fuck off. I hate conflict, and silently fuck off and stew. Then, I have to decide if I will block or ignore the writer… mostly I give them another chance. We all have the morning-after-regret post. 

Here’s the thing, as a writer you don’t need to share all my views. Diverse, educated opinions are mind-blowing, orgasmic — okay that’s taking it too far. It’s the aggressive language that shits me and I don’t give two flying bats what team you’re hitting for. You’re dictating to me how to think. You set it up so readers can’t even offer a counter-opinion without risking a monkey-style turd-flinging match. 

In other words, you created an echo chamber. If that’s your audience, then go for it. Share your rants with the understanding you will only be followed by your clones, and yes, you will probably make more money from your writing. But you won’t change any minds to your way of thinking because you’re appealing to the already converted crowd. 

To the minds you want to change, you come across as hateful and negative. No one likes to be insulted unless it’s some kind of sex kink. No judgement from me, just sayin’. 

The Art of Swaying Opinions

The writers who make me change my position are well s̶p̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ worded, reasonable, thoughtful bastards. As writers, we, more than Joe Blow Me, should understand there are many different sides to every story. The world is beautifully complex and new details can alter an opinion. The older I get, the more I release I know jack shit. Yet once upon a time, I knew friggin everything! Oh to be a spring chicken again. 

People generally find it hard to admit they are wrong. They need a gentle space to explore new ideas. Understanding comes from building metaphorical bridges from a middle ground. Together you can stone the actual trolls below. Most people will consider your opinion if you consider theirs. Not many people are as extreme as you might think, most live in the middle ground range. At least that’s always been my experience in real life. Online is a warped reality.  

Hate is Clickbait

Stereotyping any demographic is easy and lazy. And yes, there is hate everywhere online. Hate is clickbait. The question is, do you want to add to it? Do you get off on pissing people off, like the ones that piss you right off? Ask yourself if want to be known as angry or insightful. Online posts can haunt you forever.

And if you make friends, are you prepared to hurt their feelings? We don’t always know how our friends “identify” or who they care about. Life is a web of connections. 

How Do You Want Your Reader to Feel?

When readers read your shiz how do you want them to feel? Negative or positive emotion? If outrage turns you on, go for it. That’s your prerogative. But as a reader, for my sanity, I have to bow out. Every time I get sucked into the negativity and it lingers like one of my cats using the litterbox — you know when the doo-doo is fresh and warm 🤢. Kills my mojo. Smut and snark only come naturally when my mind is free from world woes. Politics and unpleasantness are kryptonite to The Muse. 

I want to offer my readers escapism. A mental holiday. Have sex with their mind. To come away with a smile at least. There are enough horrible nasties going on in the world as it is.

In the end, I am for Team Muse — leaving her mark, one filthy joke at a time.