Write about your unusual interests?

[Heather Froeschl]

How much of yourself do you share with the public? With readers? Do you write about your more unusual beliefs? For instance, I have a new blog www.SpiritualVisitations.blogspot.com where I introduce my anthology that will be out next year, a collection of true spirit communication stories (ghost tales). I share my beliefs in regards to spirits, openly, and willingly. (I'm also looking for guest bloggers to share their true ghost stories) If you have an out of the ordinary take on things, do you publicly write about them - on blogs, for anthologies,editorials?

[Heather Froeschl]

Thanks! I think there is always someone who could take offense at things though. I think if you're being true to yourself then who cares? Unless it might be something that down the road might hinder getting a book deal.

[Heather Froeschl]

Absolutely! I adore our freedom of speech. Do you worry though that something you write might hinder you in the future, become your reputation? (Not implying that you HAVE, just asking.)

[Ken Jensen]

I agree with Mari. If it's my site, then it's my words, my thoughts. But I also agree with KS. Have to be careful with politics and such. I think what it really boils down to is marketing. I have to share a lot of personal stuff in order to get my point across. I challenge a couple of pardigms to do it. But I believe in what I'm sharing. And since I want to be profitable I have to appeal to people just like me and prove to them that I understand their pain. But I have to be careful in how intensely I share. I can't appeal to everyone but I don't want to shut out too many potential clients simply to prove a point. I prefer to hint at some things so that I get my point across without directly assaulting someone. Personally I'm not afraid to share almost anything about myself. I'm fine with all my gory past. But I do have business needs to consider.

[Michael Martin]

Hi Heather! For me it's a matter of how one defines oneself in a particular instance, essay, or other project. If my material is autobiographical, I'm a memoirist for that piece. If I'm telling an eerie story, I'm a story teller. If I write a critique of some policy, I'm an analyst for that piece, and so on. I don't mean to be flippant because I know writers have to consider reputation and sales, but I don't have the talent to dream up and write down War and Peace, or even Harry Potter for that matter. So I do serious research, talk and listen with informed people, and try to present a coherent essay, article or book. My forte is social and cultural criticism and in that case a "bad" reputation can be a boon or bust. But I really can't care if I offend. Everything I write is backed up with accessible foot notes and sources. Policies I find worthy of critique and their champions are more than able to defend themselves. The question for me is, can they refute my analysis? This is sort of an opposite view but I hope it adds a different perspective to the very interesting question you pose. Thanks.

[Schuyler Thorpe]

Yes, yes, and yes to everything.

And did I forget to mention the word yes?

[Tony Cartledge]

The theme of my novel currently being shopped around is belief in the paranormal. There is much less evidence for paranormal claims than most people think. However, it doesn't stop my protagonist from searching. And he finds some intriguing possibilities. I have been thinking about starting a blog on the subject. Personally, I sit in the middle. I would like to find evidence of ghosts, ESP, etc, but it doesn't look promising. This subject is so polarised between believers and skeptics that a blog serving as a kind of referee between them might be interesting.

[Yvette Lynn]

If it's possible to worry about it, I've been there. I hear all the time, develop thick skin in this business, but it seems like a type of oxymoron when you're also told to care about people. I do agonize over what I write online, but I also like sharing ideas. I think that's why I write. I can feel like hey it wasn't me, it was Jane, the girl in my book, who said it. :) That's the beauty of it. Blogging is another thing entirely. I struggle with wondering what to write and what not to. So to your question, I say you'll always offend at least one person in the world, so do the best you can. Be true to yourself, so to speak. Besides, somebody out there may like your quirkiness.

[Lisa Logan]

My first novel deals with psychic phenomena, so I recently did a blog a day thing where I went from A-Z on mystical topics. So yeah, sometimes I do share a bit, but admittedly this had much more to do with offering a logical marketing tie-in than any burning desire to share personal interests with readers.

As for self-disclosure, I don't mind sharing some things but prefer to keep a bit of mystery going. Heck, I don't even write under my real name.

[Pamela K. Kinney/Sapphire Phelan]

I had experiences over the years, whihc is why when I wrote my book and people asked me do I believe in ghosts, i answer yes. even the first chapter on me and the last chapter are experiences I had.
And there are poeple who think you're going to the devil and need church, which is funny as I am a Catholic but this only happened to me once when mentioned writing Haunted Richmond, Virginia. Some fellow exerciser at Curves I go to told me in the parking lot that maybe I needed to go to chuch and that hers was a good one when she said didn't believe in ghosts but said yes, believed in demons and angels. But that was one person. We all have our rights to our beliefs.
Pam

[killian graham]

I like to get drunk and swim in the town fountain. The greatest part is that the fountain is right across from the police station. My defense, if caught? There is no sign that prohibits swimming. Otis Campbell had it made in the shade. KG