  Drama
This week: We Shouldn't Let Our Voices Fade... Edited by: Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline  
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When publishing our work, we are likely to attract negative reactions. That doesn't mean we should censor ourselves unnecessarily.
This week's Drama Newsletter is all about the realities of publishing, and the importance of freedom of speech.
kittiara |
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As writers, our output is bound only by the limits of our imagination. What we do, what we express to the world, is sometimes personal and sometimes reactionary. Our words have meaning. No creative person spends hours, weeks, months or even years nurturing a piece if they do not have passion – if they do not believe in what they're about to share. It's the act of sharing, however, that can be problematic. Even dangerous.
On Writing.Com, the rules are straightforward. Write and share what you like - so long as you're not breaking any laws, and you attach the correct intro and content ratings to your item, you're fine. Not everyone may like your work, and that is fair enough, because tastes differ. This realization is good practice for when we want to get published. If reviewers get nasty and personal, you can report them, and the report will be dealt with in a fair manner. As websites go, Writing.Com is a safe place to be. Other places are distinctly less safe.
The dream of publishing your work is one that many writers share. I've nurtured that dream and, partly thanks to the practice I had on this website, I've realized it. I've always had a passion for standing up against what I believe to be wrong, and for speaking up for those who aren't often heard. When I had the opportunity to publish political commentary, I took it. Of course, dreams are often different than reality, and that was certainly the case here.
Quite aside from editors altering my work without consultation, I soon discovered that when you stick your head above the parapet, you will upset some people. You will receive horrible comments and if you are unlucky, you will receive frightening threats. I've been fortunate to not have to go to the police, but I know people who have had no other option than to do so. It happens to both men and women, though women with an opinion attract a whole new range of unpleasantness.
There is a choice to be made when that realization sets in. Do you carry on publishing your work? Do you censor yourself to try limit the amount of vitriol? Do you give up? Whenever one of my pieces was published, I dreaded checking for comments. Family and friends recommended I proceed anonymously, or to tone down my words. The last few months, life's gotten in the way of my writing, and I don't miss the nastiness, but I know that, eventually, I'll return. I'll write again. I'll publish again. I have things to say – things that I feel are important – and I cannot allow myself to be ruled by fear.
That is not to say that I shouldn't be sensible. There are times when I do hold back and edit myself. Where do you draw the line, though? I never set out to be deliberately controversial, but I may take the occasional measured risk (like writing this newsletter), if it means that I am standing up for what I believe in.
Causing offense just for the sake of doing so isn't right. Causing offense to make an important point is a balancing act that should be subject to thorough consideration. When offense has been caused, however, and the offended want to take action against it, that action should be proportional. In the case of my writing, people should feel free to complain to me, to the publication, to those in charge of press regulation, or to their political representatives if not satisfied by the response. People are free to ignore my work if they see that a piece has been written by me, and they generally don't agree with what I have to say. The work that I share is subject to the laws of the land, and I expect any reactions to my work to be equally within the laws of the land.
Tragically, that is not the reality we live in. There will always be those who do not agree with freedom of expression, and who will go to terrible lengths to try suppress it. My response to that is – write on. Keep on creating. Keep your imagination alive.
Where, when, and how to share your work is up to you. If you have an opportunity to enter the public domain, inform yourself. Prepare yourself. Even writing innocent children's fiction can attract strong views. The problem with sharing your work with people is that, well, you're sharing your work with people. Some of those people will want to censor you.
The world needs its writers, its artists, its creative souls. It needs different voices, both subtle ones and ones that issue a challenge. Ideally, there would be pleasant, constructive interaction between artist and audience, as is generally the case here on Writing.Com. In the light of current events outside of Writing.Com, however, I hope that our voices won't turn into timid whispers...
kittiara |
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The Drama Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
len_gray - This year I've learned the importance of being enough.
Last year, I was a mess! I was so worried about what everyone thought about me, my writing, my life, and everything in between. However, after finding my dad and knowing that he was proud of me, no matter what, I started realizing that I'm enough. That this moment, whether I'm spending time with him, working out, watching a movie, or writing a story for him to read, is wonderfully and amazingly enough.
What a wonderful lesson in life! It is one that I am trying to learn. I am very glad that you found your father, and am very happy to hear how proud he is of you. I hope that the both of you will have an amazing year ahead!
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Drama Newsletter Team.
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Drama: January 14, 2015 Issue [#6773]
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