Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

In my opinion, it is all right if an author is interested in politics (and expresses her or his opinion in their works). Most authors are interested in politics indeed, and I am not an exception.

This presidential election will be interesting, I do believe.

I’m ok with anyone in the public eye when it stays “this is what I believe.” When it crosses the line into “this is what I believe AND anyone that disagrees with me is uneducated and ignorant” then I hit the mute button.

I am also one of those people that stops financially supporting people when I think they are asshats. It’s happened with something I read here on this very blog. Haven’t bought another one of said author’s works since.

Wow, suddenly everyone’s talking about that Scalzi article. I blogged about it here, and Jordan Summers did here.

I am also one of those people that stops financially supporting people when I think they are asshats.

And therein lies the problem for writers, especially women. Say what you like, but if we don’t like how you say it, then we’ll punish you for it. Funny how no one ever grandly tells John Scalzi they won’t ever read his books again because of his opinions.

Personally, I’ve decided I agree with Scalzi, I don’t give a monkey’s left testicle if people dislike my method of expression or the subject of my expression, and expecting authors to churn out stories and sit in a corner wearing a painted on grin and a gag the rest of the time, is an insult. Politics and opinions go with brains and talent and creativity. Deal with it.

And deal with the fact that what you think is the correct mode of behaviour in any given situation, is only applicable to you and possibly your offspring. Unless you’re my mother, don’t tell me how to talk and what about. ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone was nice’ works in a Disney movie. It’s not the law of the land.

Now cue a whole bunch of people lining up to say, “oh, we believe authors should be able to say what they want, but we want them to be polite about it.” I’ve spent most of the day reading variations on that theme.

Politics in romance novels ahs worked for me sometimes - like Karyn Langhorne’s Unfinished Business or Jennifer Crusie’s Strange Bedpersons. I think it was because those were both evenhanded: it wasn’t the author on a soapbox, it was two real characters with two really different opinions and netiher one was presented as being a terrible, evil person for believing that way.

But both of these books were explicitly about people who were exact opposites, including politics - and it even says that on the back cover blurb. In other situations, especially ones were a person’s politics are supposed to serve as shorthand for whether or not they’re a good person, it’s gratuitous and anoying. You know - “Jenny disliked him on sight - an oily, smarmy, slicked-back businessman who probably voted Republican and evicted babies in his free time.” Or the ones where the discussion has no connection to the plot and exists entirely for the author to stick their personal cause in your face. ("The jewel thief sighed as she pocketed the bracelet, and wished that more people would buy fuel-efficient vehicles.")

Romance novels often deals with difficult subjects like depressions, rape, childlessness and death. These are sensitive subjects, and if you are able to handle them, then why shy away from politics.

I as a reader don’t care if a favorite author thinks differently than me on certain matters, if I enjoy the books, I’ll still read them. And I might enjoy the debate.

Why shouldn’t authors be able to make their voices heard, when actors and other celebrities can? I would say, bring it on, express your opinion.

I am not an author. But this is an issue I’m struggling with in my own life as an academic.

I live in a key swing state (PA), and would love to volunteer for the Obama campaign. There are two problems with this. First, I’m OMGHOLYSHIT drowning in work. That’s the main problem. Second, I’m afraid my political activities, if discovered by students, could be used as an argument against me, should they decide to challenge their grades.

In the classroom, I do my very best not to show my strong preference for one candidate or political party over the other, to the extent that I think I sometimes overcompensate in trying to be nice about McCain. I’ve slipped up from time to time, like when one of my students said something about Hillary fans going for Sarah Palin, and I replied, automatically, “God, I hope not.” And then I apologized.

There’s still a lot of controversy over the supposed liberal bias in academia, and someone like me, just at the start of her career, has to be very careful about not coming off as attempting to “indoctrinate” her students. And because the university I’m at has faced a lot of scrutiny from David Horowitz’s academic “freedom” group, I feel like Big Brother is looking over my shoulder all the time.

(Heh. Not signed in, and my captcha? free31. Appropriate as always)

I think authors are as entitled to take public political stands as anyone else.
In fact, many of my books end up political, even when they don’t mean to, simply because the characters are gay.

I post a lot about politics from the PoV of a queer, blue-collar pagan women. Because politics directly affect me, directly affect my kids (queer=/=not married) and directly affect my job.

I try to stay calm and level-headed because ranting and raving accomplishes nothing.  I’d much rather read a well-thought-out piece that is totally wrong-headed than a piece I agree with that froths at the mouth and chews the walls.

And, of course, I reserve the right not to financially support authors whop are trying bring about my destruction. (Orson Scott Card, I’m looking at YOU!)

out38… yep. The bot nails it again.

my .02…

My LiveJournal is titled “where personal and professional life collide” for a reason—we cover a wide spectrum of topics, including food, politics, religion and yes, writing, mainly because those are all things I’m interested in.

My feeling is that I’m here to learn as well a pontificate, so I ask people to bring their best game to the discussion.  The rules are simple: play nice, respect the other person’s idiotic opinion, and don’t be a schmuck.  So far, it’s been working....

If a reader can’t differentiate the-person from the-books, then they probably should stay away from blog in the first place!  There are a number of writers whose personal beliefs are so counter to mine as to be alien. They’re still fabulous writers and most of the time I can tune out what they’re saying and just read the damn book.

I keep my political thoughts AWAY from the computer because it is essentially my workplace. I think there’s time and place for everything, and voicing my political opinion doesn’t belong in my workspace. FOR ME. Not in the normal discussion that politics typical occur (which is usually off some tangent that didn’t have any point to the main blog thread). If I was to come across a political blog, then I’d be more likely to comment.

I also have the mindset that I don’t want to give readers a reason NOT to buy me when I do sell. It sounds farfetched, but it’s not. It’s happened with me with an author. There’s an agent I was liking. Until she started showing her political colors. In both cases it wasn’t WHAT they were expressing but how (as mentioned above) they did it that rubbed me wrong. I don’t want that rubbing against the grain happening with someone else because of me.

If I was established, I might have a different mindset.

right58. Hm. It’s my right to voice my opinion 58 times, or not if I don’t want to.

The billionaires, they don’t lose their shirts or invest in sub prime mortgages in Harlequin Presents’ world.

Gotta love boredom at work - http://pics.livejournal.com/lezlishae/pic/0026zg75/

I’ve been struggling with this, discussing it with other writer friends who blog.  We all go back and forth about the worry over alienating readers.  I have very strong feelings about this election, but I’ve done little more than put up an Obama icon and twitter a bit during debates. 

There are days I want to do a lot more, but my agent is currently marketing my first book and the possibility of alienating an editor is making me hesitate.  I’ve worked too hard to blow it over my urge to run my mouth. ;) And right now, that can be so, so difficult.  Especially when my children tell me the horrifying things kids are saying at school.

I blogged a little bit on my recent political awakening after I was lectured in my own basement by the furnace repairman. This is an extraordinary political year with a sharply divided nation. I’m pretty strong (if quiet) with my convictions, and I remember my parents telling me to NEVER discuss politics and religion. I haven’t always paid attention, but in this case, I think they’re right. There is little I can do to persuade someone whose mind is made up. There is another infamous pig saying---never wrestle in the mud with a pig; you’ll both get dirty and the pig will enjoy it. I think it’s best to keep one’s politics to oneself in Romancelandia, particularly if you are published and don’t want to alienate readers/buyers. Maybe that makes me a chicken---or a pig. But I’m doing a voter registration drive in the high school I work in.

I’m going to look at this from a different angle. YES we all have the right to our own opinions and can blog about it all we want.

BUT I think we’re in the world of romance where readers want an escape from hearing about politics and even arguing about them. What are romance books? An escape. A chance to read something that will whisk us away from this world to another and has a HEA that makes us feel good. Then it’s time to go back to the real world and deal with real world problems.

Our job as romance writers is not to preach, but to give our readers something that makes them feel good.

Another thing is that all of these topics are being talked to friggin’ death on every TV channel, every radio station, every newspaper you read. God, can’t we have a friggin’ break?

IMO that’s what we provide. A break. For those who want to blog about it, go for it. But I think we’re doing a disservice to our readers who’ve had enough of all the $%&# going on right now that they need their “Calgon take me away” moments. I sure don’t want to hear about it everywhere, including romance blogs.

I sure hope SmartBitches doesn’t start providing info or debate on politics. I think this blog is just right the way it is. It’s fun, informative, and very rarely is there ever any kind of debate. Please, no more debates!

My word is wrong52, meaning mixing politics with romance readers is the wrong thing to do!

I think there is also a difference between “politics”, which is everything to do with how people and groups relate to each other and how the society and the economy in which we live works (and so natural territory for any writer of fiction), and “party politics” which is about factionalism and which individuals are up and down in a particular political party. 

I suspect that too often people who say they are bored or alienated by politics, or who have the reaction “this person speaks/votes this way so I hate them” are thinking only in terms of “party politics”, not of politics in the wider individuals/society/government sense.  And I can see that a “commercial” author might be worried that they could lose readers from these groups if they become known for political opinions.  But it’s a shame.

And then of course there’s the whole “can’t tell the difference between real life and the actions/statements of fictional characters” issue.

And I love how Scalzi concludes with a “blow me”. Ha!

Unless I’m tiptoeing around a friend’s feelings, I’ll say what’s on my mind. If it’s not acceptable to someone else, that’s all right. I’ll live. I also believe there’s a difference between sharing an unpopular opinion online and going totally crazy online. Still, I think both have the right to be immortalized on the internet, even if being linked to one is much preferable than being linked to the other.

Angelia, I was just thinking about Orson Scott Card!  There was a big fuss earlier this year in the American Library Association when he won an award for lifetime contribution to young adult literature.  Librarians are a pretty liberal bunch, and there were a lot of people who felt that someone with his opinions didn’t deserve any kind of award, whether or not his opinions were apparent in his work.
I haven’t actually read any of his books (*blush*), although my husband loves Ender’s Game, so I don’t feel qualified to speak to whether his opinions show in his work or not.  But it is an interesting case.

I hate that two people with different political viewpoints keep quiet when around one another because they might...disagree.

Except when visiting my folks, when this is essential. Craziness.

I start my shift volunteering in Obamaland today. Will I blog about it...? Maybe. I think my blog readers know where I stand, mostly coz of choice Daily Show clips I’ve featured, but I don’t make a huge deal out of it in public. Do I obsessively check wonkette and the numberstuds at 538.com? Yes, but that’s my own problem. Anyway, I’m not going to convince anyone via my blog. It’s antagonistic to those who’ve already decided, and my little fangirl squees when Obama takes his coat off (7:30 in on this clip) aren’t going to sway anyone who’s undecided at this point.

Joe getting choked up last night. *sniff*

And, of course, I reserve the right not to financially support authors whop are trying bring about my destruction. (Orson Scott Card, I’m looking at YOU!)

Yeah, I’m looking at him, too.

Scalzi, he rocks. Been reading that dude’s blog for over a year and I still rub my hands with glee every time there’s a new entry on Whatever. He says what he wants to say without ever sounding like a frustrated fathead (unless he means to sound like a frustrated fathead).

I think I agree with Scalzi’s article.  I just draw the line when a story stops being a story and starts being a political endorsement.  If authors have something to say, I think they should say it--isn’t that why they’re writing?  But I can’t stand it when it turns from “this is what I believe” into “vote for [insert candidate] if you want to live.”

What I love is when authors use two or more characters to debate different views.  When you can see both arguments and be informed about both arguments and then chose which side you’re on, that’s just cool.

whereas it’s ok for actors to embrace activism, for authors of commercial fiction, it’s not ok at all.

Except, or because maybe...by and far politically active actors make a lot more money than the average writer.

Out of curiosity then: if a writer you really loved and bought the moment the books were released blogged that she always gave 15% of all monies she earned to political movements againstabortion/anti gay marriage/fill in your own hot button issue are you still going to buy her books?

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

Aww, but din’cha hear?  That’s what whose there mavericks do when a question gets a little un-comfy.  They’s make up their own rules--and are darned proud of it, I’ll tell ya.  Smile big and wink!

I’m going to have to go with Cheyenne here. I never blog about politics; I don’t even like to talk about politics (although I do have very strong opinions and love watching debates/news commentators/whatever), and I dislike having someone else’s political opinions shoved down my throat. I think it’s rude. Didn’t our mothers teach us not to discuss politics or religion in mixed company?

When I go to an author’s blog I’m looking for stuff about their lives and their books. I want to get to know them better, I hope to have a little fun. I don’t want to be greeted by paragraph after paragraph of “That other party is a bunch of morons, and I can’t believe how much they lie, and they’re all wrong wrong wrong.” It turns me off. Even if I agree with their opinions it turns me off. And I very often won’t buy their books if they say something that really offends me.

I have a hard time believing that someone who can only see those who disagree with them as evil lying blackguards without brains will have the ability to create full, interesting characters in their work. It just strikes me as unimaginative, and why would I spend my money on that?

It’s not that I don’t think they have a right to discuss politics on their blogs. Of course they do, it’s their blog. They have the right to discuss purple-headed sheepcows on their blogs if they want. But I have a right to dislike it, and to stop reading their blogs and their books.

Frankly, I feel the same way about actors being activists. Shut up, I don’t care what you think. When I want to know who you think I should vote for, I’ll call you up and ask. Until then, talk about the movie, talk about your wonderful new marriage or tv show or dogs, and keep your opinions about who should be president to yourself. I’m perfectly capable of making my own decisions without consulting Matt Damon or Bruce Willis.

(Oh, and again as Chey said, I hope SB doesn’t go political. I love being able to hang out in non-political places when elections loom.)

I think we’re in the world of romance where readers want an escape from hearing about politics and even arguing about them. What are romance books? An escape. A chance to read something that will whisk us away from this world to another and has a HEA that makes us feel good.

Romances don’t generally have much about party politics, but they do have a lot in them which is political. Tycoons, billionaires etc don’t just appear out of nowhere: they’re part of the capitalist system. Dukes etc in historicals would have an automatic right to vote in the House of Lords and lots of inherited wealth and privilege. A heroine who has to acquiesce to the hero’s demands because she can’t afford to pay for the urgent operation her child needs to survive make me think about health care provision in whichever country the novel is set in. I recently read a novel in which walking, rather than taking the car, into the centre of a small town in the US was presented as an innovation. That made me think about dependency on petrol and what effect this has on climate change. There’s the almost complete lack of heroines who’ve had abortions but lots of heroines who accidentally get pregnant and then either have secret babies or marry for “convenience.” And then there are the many, many SEALS and other military romances. What do they have to say about the way the US sees itself in the world? Even what the characters eat can be revealing. How many vegetarians do you find in romance, for example?

Lori said:

Out of curiosity then: if a writer you really loved and bought the moment the books were released blogged that she always gave 15% of all monies she earned to political movements againstabortion/anti gay marriage/fill in your own hot button issue are you still going to buy her books?

YES. I always fear this or something like it when I find a new writer that I really love. Could I love the work of someone who supported X party, or political way of thinking, when I am a fervent supporter of Y?

So far it hasn’t happened yet. The writers I really love seem to either keep their political thoughts private (like Neil Gaiman, correct me if I’m wrong) or write books which would seem to indicate that they think the same way as me (Terry Pratchett’s Jingo is a good example - but I don’t know, or really want to know, anything about his personal politics).

I would not buy books by someone who donated all monies to a cause which I disagreed with, but I would want and expect them to publicise that intention. I would wholly support their right to support that cause… just not with my money. In such a situation, I’d just buy their books second-hand, or borrow them.

I’m not sure why people here are off on a tangent about authors discussing their politics in a novel: I think the point of the discussion is about authors expressing their views in other media, such as blogs, interviews and the like.

Although, even in novels, you can certainly get a flavour of someone’s political leanings - gays/blacks/whathaveyous are mentioned positively, women aren’t doormats, men aren’t all Alpha Fuckwits and so on. But I agree that a novel isn’t exactly the place for overt politics, unless it’s a satire or roman a clef - the author is creating a world that we should be entering into. Alluding to current events drops that illusion and really quickly dates the book.

Onto the actual topic. I’m happy if authors talk about their politics. They’re humans, citizens, who presumably have the right to vote (except in some states in the US if you’ve had a conviction 500 years before, apparently) - they also have a right to express their views. I tend to pay attention to how their views are expressed as well as the content. Someone can be a conservative Christian who yet has the proper charity for others and expresses that; yer Falwells et al can burn in the fiery pit they’re so quick to consign others to.

I won’t buy Orson Scott Card either, due to his stated views. But since I don’t like his writing - yes, his religious views seep through his fiction in the way I mentioned earlier (learning about his religious and political background was a big AHA! moment for me) - it’s no loss. I love Laurie R. King (in a pure-yet-authoriarily-devoted-way, and I am nodding along assiduously to her blog posts on various things, including her political views. Although her views are similar to my own, I also appreciate the fact that she doesn’t put others down. Expresses anger at the effects certain views have, yes, but doesn’t descend to their level.

Knowing someone has similar views to my own is just icing on the cake. I only stop reading if someone wants to deny me my civil rights or expresses those few views I can’t compromise with in any way, or is irredeemably sexist/racist/homophobic… and those things seem to show up in their fiction in any case, and renders it unpalatable enough without knowing the specifics.

December, if authors can’t talk about politics, and actors can’t, then who can? Do you really want to leave politics to the politicians?

Political matters affect everyone, in every country. We non-Americans are passionately obssessed with the elections in the USA because it directly affects our future. Frankly, it’s insulting to tell anyone not to talk about something so important. Authors are some of the best educated, thoughtful and open-minded people in a society. Why would you not want them to have views and share them?

My politics, my views are core to who I am and what I write. If someone only wants to talk the bits of me that appeal to them as entertainment, and lock the rest away, then that diminishes my value to society to approximately that of an hour of the Simpsons. Bugger that for a lark.

I don’t really talk about politics, in public or private, but that’s because my strongest opinion on the subject is that they’re all a bunch of asshats.  At least in the US of Holy Shit you have an exciting election race: over here it’s all I can do to stay awake.

Issues are different to me than politics.  I don’t really care which party you vote for, or if you vote at all, but if you tell me gay people should be shot and that you go out of your way to run over cats, I’m afraid I will have to eviscerate you in fiction.  I’d eviscerate you in real life, but, you know, it’s really messy, and I have deadlines.

Nonetheless, I have learned that authors who express strong opinions often discover a pressing need to return to the day job.  Disagree with a reader and they’ll swear to devote the rest of their life to making sure no one evah, evah buys your books again.  Since I don’t write books aimed at petty children, I’m not terribly worried I’ll lose any devout fans, but I figure in general the reason authors keep quiet is that they have bills to pay.

spamfilter: brown57.  How did it know Gordon Brown is the person I was thinking of specifically when I said politics made me sleepy?

I’m in the UK, so at least I get the option of other programs. We are watching open-mouthed, as the USA passes Socialist measures and moves further left, while China and Russia are moving to the right and becoming more capitalist than any other nation.
Weird times, folks.
And the US election seems to be going on forever. In the UK, when a General Election is called, the parties get three weeks (yes you read right, three weeks) to campaign and there’s a cap on their spending. Even that is a bit much sometimes, and you find yourself longing for them to just shut up and get on with it. The interminable year-long campaign with humungous amounts spent on balloons and such.
What I found the worst was the way they can phone you up in your own home and nag you for your vote. That was tried earlier this year by a political party, and the outcry was so bad nobody will try it again in a hurry. Bad enough to get junk mail, people at the door, TV, radio and such, but to call you on the phone?

I’m going to be truly awful and admit that if an author I knew and liked admitted that she was voting for McCain, I’m not sure how I’d feel.  It hasn’t happened--although I haven’t really gone looking--so I don’t know how I’d react, but I can easily imagine a very negative reaction and an inability to read her books from then on.  Then again, I might shrug and say “Oh well” and go on to enjoy future books.  But I’m not sure.  Does that make me a bad person?  Or just partisan?  And does that answer authors’ questions about whether they should blog about it?  I don’t know.

Has Suzanne Brockmann lost more readers than she’s gained by being so open with her politics?  Who knows.  I know I still reader, but then, she’s supporting my guy.  :)

I don’t care if people in general talk politics, declare their affiliations, openly support their candidates or whatever, no matter what the profession.  I think that folks who wear their political hearts on their sleeve need to be aware, though, that not only might some not agree with them (and the sharers must be willing to take whatever consequences - if any - that might bring, whether they be emotional or financial; sharing of any kind is a risk, after all) but that some might merely shrug and not engage and really only end up interested in the book, music, movie, whatever.  That has to be o.k., too.  If I don’t have a political litmus test for authors, I’d like not to be subjected to one as a reader (or listener or viewer or whatever).

and I dislike having someone else’s political opinions shoved down my throat.

Why is someone discussing their political opinions on their personal blog shoving it down your throat? And how is it any different (aside from the fact that politics in this country is always divisive but that shouldn’t stop people from talking about it for fear they might alienate a reader) than someone expressing an opinion about a tv show or their favorite book?

Personally I believe if an author or an actor or anyone wants to discuss politics on their personal blog they can. If they express an opinion I just can’t agree with (e.g. if they are anti-abortion rights) then I’ll stop reading their blog (life’s too short to read the opinions of someone when I know it’ll just make my blood pressure skyrocket) but if it’s someone whose novels I really enjoy it’d probably take a lot more than differing political opinions to make me stop reading them.

If I have the right to blather on about politics in my own personal blog (which I do because it’s important to me) then I don’t see why authors should be required to stay quiet out of fear of offending a reader. Obviously, if an author chooses not to discuss such a hot button issue that is their right but I’m not going tell someone they can’t write about politics in their blog.

Aww, see now, der I go, not answerin’ da queschun.

Me?  I’d love to get political.  I’d love to tell anyone who would listen what I think about this presidential race.  Unfortunately, I also want people to buy my books, and until I’m making George Clooney money, I need to keep the 15 fans I’ve got.

Besides, I’ve never understood the celebrity=political authority equation.  Despite who us Californian’s pick for governors, I can’t seriously see myself voting for anything short of maybe a piracy law because Susan Sarandon thinks I should.

Of course, Jon Stewart, well...he’s a totally different story.....

Great conversation, Sarah. I’m glad you started it.

I’ve stayed away from talking politics on my blog (at least overtly saying who I support, although if one reads carefully, one can easily figure it out~~especially from today’s post) for the most part.

It’s been a conscious decision not so much because I’m afraid of alienating readers, but simply because I like to keep things light and entertaining and I simply don’t want it to devolve into a flaming argument. That’s always been the purpose of my blog--light and fun.

However, I make no secret of my political affiliations in other public venues--such as Twitter, Facebook, etc., or even in my own yard. :-) It’s simply that I don’t blog about it, but believe me...I will talk and debate about it.

And by the way, Lori Borrill, you got a big-ass laugh out of me for this:

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

Aww, but din’cha hear?  That’s what whose there mavericks do when a question gets a little un-comfy.  They’s make up their own rules--and are darned proud of it, I’ll tell ya.  Smile big and wink!

spamword: street32: how appropriate for my blog post today about yardsigns.

Btw: go to yardvote.com and register yard sign sightings. They’re trying to track political climate by looking at who’s putting up signs where.

I rarely express political statements because I’m one of those people who loathes politics as they are currently practiced in the US of Holy Shit. Frankly, I expressed to a co-worker last night that I wish our everyday accountants would rise up and wrest the books out of the hands of Congress and straighten them up. I had originally said business leaders, but the only business leader who seems not to have his head in his ass and therefore running his company into the ground is Warren Buffet. And so, the one political statement I will be expressing this year - and every time it’s time to vote about something - is VOTE. You have no right to complain about the state of things if you do not exercise your right to vote. Don’t care much who you vote for, but if you start nattering on about how this country is falling to pieces and then proudly proclaim that you didn’t bother to vote in the last election because what good would it have done/insert lame excuse here, then I have no patience for you.

Political matters affect everyone, in every country. We non-Americans are passionately obssessed with the elections in the USA because it directly affects our future.

Absolutely.  We certainly have the right to express an opinion, because we are affected.  But try criticising either side of the American political spectrum (a somewhat limited spectrum that runs all the way from, umm, indigo to violet, since all American political positions are way to the right of centre), and they will all jump on you and sweepingly accuse you of being anti-American… I loathe most of our British politicians as well (and they are also all right of centre now) but that doesn’t mean I am anti-British.

It’s a bit like the way in which members of one family can quarrel bitterly amongst themselves, but will suddenly present a united front if an outsider dares to express a view.

Should authors be able to talk politics on their personal blogs without fear of repercussion?  Maybe in an ideal world, but that’s not how it works in reality.  There is also a difference between a personal blog and a professional one, and if an author is blogging on their official website or finds themselves mostly writing about their upcoming novel and their personal writing process, it may not “fit” to be suddenly proclaiming the virtues of Obama or McCain.

And on a more personal note, I don’t even live in the states, and I’m tired of hearing all the political hoo-hah.  The whole thing is starting to resemble a three-ring circus.  What crazy things will the candidates say today?  Frankly, I’m more than happy to hang out around blogs where the American election is not the word of the day.

Wow. I’m definitely in the minority here. I just read so many things that concern me. It’s okay to buy a writer second hand because you don’t want to give up their books but you don’t want your money to support their causes? Why should an actor’s (or author’s) opinion count more than mine simply because they’re in the public eye? Why is it all my liberal friends are so rabid they jump on every ALLEGEDLY wrongheaded thing the conservative candidates have ALLEGEDLY done? SUPPOSED liberal bias in education? AND the media? Oh, yeah. It isn’t supposed or alleged. It’s there. Why does one party get away with being sexist when the other is accountable?

I hate when this posts before I was ready. Grrrr.  Though I suppose that’s the Universes’s way of saying I should shut up now. By the way? I’m a Centrist. I vote for the candidate, not the party.

I didn’t say authors and actors can’t talk about politics, I said I don’t care what their opinions on those things are. I don’t actually need to know what anyone else’s opinions on political issues are (save, of course, those actually running for office, because I’m very interested in what they have to say. There are a few pundits/analysts on both sides of the fence whose thoughts usually interest, amuse, or enlighten me, and I’ll sometimes read them to get a fuller understanding of the issue from both of those sides before I make up my mind). Actors are free to discuss politics anywhere they like. That doesn’t mean I have to care what they say, or that I am required to listen.

Actors are famous because they are very good at acting. So if I am interested in that topic, I will happily seek them out and listen to whatever they have to say on the subject; it is one in which they have proven expertise, so their thoughts on it have value to me. Their thoughts on politics, an area in which they have to my knowledge no proven expertise, do not. I don’t see a need to apologize for that; I’m not interested in Otis the barber’s political opinions either, and if he keeps talking about them while cutting my hair I’ll stop going to him for haircuts. Nor do I care if the girl checking out my groceries wants me to vote for Obama or McCain, or what my children’s teachers think, unless an issue comes up which specifically relates to teaching, grocery checking, or barbering. If that were the case, I would happily ask them for their input.

I feel perfectly comfortable expressing my thoughts on writing, and what makes good or bad writing. It’s something I know a little bit about. I don’t presume to think my readers want to know my thoughts on the big issues; I’m a writer. I write genre fiction. I love genre fiction, but I don’t think having even small success at writing it means people care what I think about the election, and I think it would be presumptuous of me to start talking/blogging about it incessantly as if my thoughts and opinions mean anything to them at all. Yes, by virtue of being a US citizen I am qualified to discuss politics; I have the right to. I discuss politics with my husband, and with my friends. But I don’t think the general public should be forced to hear what I have to think, when I am no better or worse, no better or worse informed, than they are. They come to my blog to read about my books, and my thoughts on publishing, and sometimes funny stories about my kids or my clumsiness or whatever. My job is to entertain them, and that is what I try to do. Suddenly getting political feels like a bait-and-switch.

And as far as those opinions being shoved down my throat, I can’t help but feel when I go to someone’s blog and it’s full of invective and shouting and “Only a moron would believe this guy”, it certainly feels like I’m choking on something.

And therein lies the problem for writers, especially women. Say what you like, but if we don’t like how you say it, then we’ll punish you for it. Funny how no one ever grandly tells John Scalzi they won’t ever read his books again because of his opinions.

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:

This blog aims to be a haven from fulmination, disrespect, polemics, and other attack-style debate.

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.

Of course, Jon Stewart, well...he’s a totally different story.....

I’m with you, Lori! And Colbert right along with Stewart.

I’m all politic’d out, frankly.

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:

Out of curiosity then: if a writer you really loved and bought the moment the books were released blogged that she always gave 15% of all monies she earned to political movements againstabortion/anti gay marriage/fill in your own hot button issue are you still going to buy her books?

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.

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

In fact, some of the most basic details, including the $700 billion figure Treasury would use to buy up bad debt, are fuzzy.

“It’s not based on any particular data point,” a Treasury spokeswoman told Forbes.com Tuesday. “We just wanted to choose a really large number.

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

In fact, some of the most basic details, including the $700 billion figure Treasury would use to buy up bad debt, are fuzzy.

“It’s not based on any particular data point,” a Treasury spokeswoman told Forbes.com Tuesday. “We just wanted to choose a really large number.

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.

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

In fact, some of the most basic details, including the $700 billion figure Treasury would use to buy up bad debt, are fuzzy.

“It’s not based on any particular data point,” a Treasury spokeswoman told Forbes.com Tuesday. “We just wanted to choose a really large number.

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. 

Out of curiosity then: if a writer you really loved and bought the moment the books were released blogged that she always gave 15% of all monies she earned to political movements againstabortion/anti gay marriage/fill in your own hot button issue are you still going to buy her books?

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.

Out of curiosity then: if a writer you really loved and bought the moment the books were released blogged that she always gave 15% of all monies she earned to political movements againstabortion/anti gay marriage/fill in your own hot button issue are you still going to buy her books?

Just for the record, 100% of all the monies I earn on books goes directly to shoes.

Say what you like, but if we don’t like how you say it, then we’ll punish you for it.

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

I may disagree with what you say, but would defend unto my death your right to say it

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.

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

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