I think we’re all aware that these are very dynamic if not outright volatile times in politics and that we’re deeply divided into camps. People feel the need to speak out and – whether well informed and polite or raging and ignorant – discussions often seem to reach an impasse.
I’ve been rightfully told I might lose readers over voicing political opinions. Yet, I wonder if that’s important at all. I believe that what some people call my political colouring (whatever that is), that colouring will find itself in my writing one way or another. How you portray the poor or the rich, the privileged and the disadvantaged, how you show human conflict and dilemmas – all that gives your attitude towards others and society in general away.
I don’t consider myself right or left necessarily. You wouldn’t find me in an anarchist bar, nor at a neo-Nazi rally. I side with evidence and reason and drift in both directions from a firm centre position. Still, I find myself called leftie when speaking to the right, and rightish when speaking to people from the left.
Celebrating diversity, integration and tolerance will be integral part of all my work, compassion and reaching out are what I strive to capture in my novels, which are humanitarian values, not political ones.
Now to the second criticism I got recently, which was that I was using politics to sell my novels. (That one did amuse me, because I had just heard that I would lose readers, not gain them through politics.)
The thing is that I don’t write primarily to make money, nor expect to make the bestseller lists. I write novels because I want to tell the stories and in some cases, because I want to send out a message. These messages will probably all fall in a political camp, one way or another, although I personally see them more as humanitarian. For every reader gained through this, I risk to lose one or two in exchange.
I am a writer because I care. I write those novels and messages to maybe help changing perspectives and make the world a better place, in the little way that I can. I’m not promoting policies on taxation or welfare in my books but very basic values. I’ve written about the holocaust not to make a quick buck as someone suggested – wouldn’t I be writing romance and vampire books in that case anyway? – but to make sure we don’t forget and learn from the past. To share what I learned myself.
Taking positions, such as standing up for Muslims, Jews, the disabled, the mentally ill, for fairness, equality and freedom shouldn’t be regarded as political. Through human history it wasn’t just politicians who influenced the world but people in the limelight (and outside of it) who had the guts to stand up and show opposition, show those in need of support that they were not alone, those discriminated that there are people who don’t agree with it, show others that they care. Silence can be read as agreeing and infers complicity.
If the above mentioned values of mine now are left and liberal territory, then there has been a shift to the right that puts me into a corner I haven’t actively sought to be in.
My message today is to be yourself and to stand up for what is right. In times where simple 140 character messages become the answer to highly complex issues, we need to take a step back and analyse, take a breather before shouting outlandish demands and simplistic or simplifying ideas that mask the problem instead of solving it. We need to stop our selfish instincts and not lose our humanity and compassion.
If this is political or wrong to you, you’re unlikely to enjoy my writing. If you hear my voice, then you’re probably already familiar with my views, and being still here, you are likely to at least mildly agree with them. The reason that I say all this again is so that my voice is being heard amidst the voices saying the opposite. Let the hate fuelled shouts not be the only ones filling the air.
Have a wonderful Monday. Here are the final words of Monty Python’s “Meaning of Life”
“Try to be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.
….
…
[And, finally, here are some completely gratuitous pictures of penises to annoy the censors and to hopefully spark some sort of controversy, which it seems is the only way these days to get the jaded, video-sated public off their fucking arses and back in the sodding cinema. Family entertainment? Bollocks. What they want is filth: people doing things to each other with chainsaws during tupperware parties, babysitters being stabbed with knitting needles by gay presidential candidates, vigilante groups strangling chickens, armed bands of theatre critics exterminating mutant goats. Where’s the fun in pictures? Oh, well, there we are. Here’s the theme music. Goodnight]”
Reblogged this on LibDem Fischer.
I think you’re absolutely right — some things are far more important than a few WordPress followers having a fit of the vapors. Here in the US we’re facing a very real threat of the country collapsing into fascism, yet far too many Americans think what’s going on is just business as usual. (Reaction of a Republican [probably ex-]friend: “Well, guess what, we didn’t like your guy these last eight years.” All that was missing was the kindergarten playground cry of yah boo sucks.)
Potentially far more damaging than even the prospect of fascism is the crackdown on science, and particularly on climate science.My guess is — and I’m not clever enough to put figures to this, although the climate scientists assuredly are, and are saying much the same thing — that four years of US inactivity on this front, and, worse, a reversal of all policies to curb the problem, will be enough to see everything come tumbling down.
So much for the human experiment. It really is that bad, and that imminent.
Alongside this scenario, who cares about a few reality-denying WordPress followers?
Oh, and no: Since they’re intent on shortening the life of my beloved grandson, I don’t believe I have the slightest reason to “show respect” for their views.
Agreed. Thank you !
I don’t fit neatly into left or right labels, either. I think that’s proof we need more than a two party system…something that combines the best of both. It won’t happen any time soon, so in the meantime…we need to speak our hearts and let things fall into place after that.
Thanks Jami!
Reblogged this on O LADO ESCURO DA LUA.
Thanks for the reblog 😉
“Taking positions, such as standing up for Muslims, Jews, the disabled, the mentally ill, for fairness, equality and freedom shouldn’t be regarded as political.”
AMEN TO THAT!
Except for issues impacting mental health, I don’t focus on the political on my blog. HOWEVER, like the way in which you describe the infiltration of words with POV, Christoph, my views surely must be clear to anyone paying attention (and certainly to anyone who reads the comments!)
I don’t write for reader approval and, aside from sanitizing sailor-mouth at times, I don’t “not write” hoping to avoid reader disdain. I join you in your feeling that sometimes one must speak out PERIOD. “We need to stop our selfish instincts and not lose our humanity and compassion.”
I lost only one follower (that I can tell) after my article on Censorship – none after the ACA articles, so it seems – for whatever that’s worth and whatever it indicates. Makes no sense to agonize over numbers.
If you write it, some will come — and some will click like from the reader. 🙂
xx,,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
Thanks Madelyn ❤
The only people who object to writers who write politically are 1) readers who don’t want to think, 2) readers who don’t want to think because they already have decided they’re right and you’re wrong.
I read Bill O’Reilly, Ann Coulter and Laura Ingrahm to at least give them the courtesy. I found their thinking facile and self-serving, but I gave them the opportunity to make their case.
All writing is political. Even writing purely marketed for entertainment is saying, “your attention should be diverted from thoughtful reading.” It doesn’t get more political than that.
Very true. Thanks for the comment!
Unless we write to a strict formula, how on earth can we /not/ express who we are and what we believe? Be true to yourself. Nothing else matters.
Agreed. Thanks!
As writers we walk a tightrope, Christoph & make our decisions based on many factors. The issue of how our political views affect our status as authors is tricky. Each writer has to decide for her/himself how much they reveal. I often find it tough *not* to be outspoken in public. I have strong views but there are aspects of political issues where we are damned if we do, double-damned if we don’t & likely to be shot in the back if we sit on the fence.
My books are female-centric & if a sense of my feminist values threads through them, my reader is free to decide if the book is for her/him. I don’t consciously set out to write feminist (& by definition – left-leaning) prose – I write from my gut & my strong heart.
Standing up for goodness & justice ought to be an act of *humanity* – you are absolutely right. Sadly, because a patriarchal world has emphatically & relentlessly treated me with contempt, as a woman I have little choice but to view *everything* as political.
The mantra I live by is one I borrowed from Nelson Mandela: Be kind. That said, in the event I come face-to-face with out & out ignorant lunacy, watch out!
Your piece is well observed & passionate – I would expect no less from you! xXx
Aw thanks Carol. I love your feminism from the heart ❤
Thanks, Christoph. Indeed we’re who we are and our books should (will) reflect that. Like you, I write because I want to tell stories, but the stories come from somewhere. It’s impossible to please everybody and we shouldn’t aim to. Ultimately we have to live with our own conscience. Although our beliefs might not fit in a specific political discourse, I realised long ago that indeed everything is political, and the personal is the political too.
Thanks Olga ❤
Anyone who quotes Python has to be right, so where do I join? Lovely thoughtful post Christoph; what’s not to like? I’m off to rub gravel in my hair….
Thanks Geoff. Enjoy the gravel 🙂
Time to go to a stoning with me later? Or fetch a shrubbery?
Only if it’s carried by a European swallow…
That’s easy while we’re still pre-Brexit 👍🏾🐦
Surely who we are and what our life experience is will colour what we write in some way. And why shouldn’t it? I hear what you are saying about potentially losing readers, but like others on here have said, is that a huge loss?
I’m a disabled person in a wheelchair, and some of my characters have disabilities. I also talk about living with Multiple Sclerosis on my blog, and don’t see that changing any time soon. Will that lose readers? Maybe, but it’s part of me (my one tiny issue, would be referring to disabled people as ‘the disabled ‘. Disabled people are not a separate group in society).
Like others have said, we have much larger concerns here in the UK and now across the world.
Thanks Steve. I agree that no group is separate in society, so of course neither are ‘the disabled’. I picked the term in absence of knowing a more apt one. My partner is ‘disabled’, so to me ‘they’ are not separate. Language is dynamic, language use sometimes falls behind, Apologies for any offence caused to readers.
Keep on with your good work!
No offence taken. I really enjoyed this piece, and I can see it being quite popular!
Reblogged this on Steve Boseley and commented:
An excellent article on politics and writing. Should we care if readers disagree with an author’s political standpoint?
Thanks for the re-blog 🙂
My sentiments entirely. You will no doubt observed that I do not shy away from political comment on my site. I have been a political animal for as long as I can remember. I was listening to “Any Questions” (because my mother did) before I entered my teens. I even tried being a politician for a while, but taking the middle course is the hardest in which to achieve success. My books don’t sell anyway so whether my opinions on current controversies gain or lose me readers is neither here no there.
Thank you 🙂
Reblogged this on Frank Parker's author site and commented:
A writer who worries whether or not his political stance will impact sales of his books has no integrity so far as I’m concerned. Well said, Christoph.
You are who you are, and it’s bound to make it’s way into your writing. Might as well embrace it.
Even if you’re not aiming to influence, you will.
“Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”
Thanks Petra 🙂
Reblogged this on firefly465 and commented:
Well said writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com
Thank you ❤
Your welcome Christoph xx
No-one alive is unaffected by politics…and none of us should be afraid to stand up for what we believe is right. Even knowing that some will disagree. Being able to voice those opinions, right or wrong (depending on perspective) is why so many have fought for democracy… even if we have never seem to have truly attained it.
Thanks Sue ❤
I agree we can have opinions on many things without adhering to a political party or a SIDE and often what seemed like a good idea at the time is ruined by human corruption. Most of us imagine we aspire to be on the good side, but it might not be so simple. I personally don’t believe in abortion being so easy, but I have never been in the the position of wanting one and I know that nature can be as destructive as humans. I do not want to turn the clock back to back street abortions or be on the same side as Trump! Do we all like to imagine that if told to take a gun and shoot innocent people or be shot ourselves we would refuse and die with honour? We don’t know what we would do if we have never been faced by that situation! By the way, I really enjoyed Ludwika and have put reviews on Amazon U.k. and Goodreads.. An excellent story about real people who were neither perfect nor evil, just trying to work out what they should do.
Thanks Janet. Totally agree about corruption being a danger to good ideas. Glad you enjoyed Ludwika, and many thanks for leaving the reviews. 🙂
Dear Christoph, please know that I read (and cheered at) every word before I say — that is a spectacular way to end this post! Beautifully said. Have a marvelous Monday. Hugs!
Thanks Teagan, I’m glad you liked that 🙂
Hugs!
I applaud your courage w.and your political posts. I don’t know if you remember a conversation we had in Prague about celebrities voicing their political platforms. I admire people with courage and a social conscience.
I think your writing and research of historicals makes it perfectly logical to be currently informed and to voice an opinion.
BRAVO~!
Thanks Catalina. I remember the conversation. It’s not a question of courage as much as of ‘can’t help myself’ to be perfectly honest. Standing by is unbearable. ❤
Standing by is unbearable.
Pingback: Writing and Politics: I write because I care – Defining Ways
Excellent article, Christoph. Thanks for addressing this issue. An author and respected member of my writers’ group told me that I should avoid blogging about religion and politics for the reasons you mention. I, too, write because I care. Religion and politics are integral parts of our lives in society. They infuse my writing, fiction or non-fiction.
Thanks Rosaliene 🙂
It’s been tough trying to hold my tongue. I am concerned for my country. Social Media has become a hateful landscape of half-informed opinions and fake news. Something has to change.
Agreed, Don.
Well said, Christoph. I don’t to go public with my own politics (I know you’ve said it’s not about politics, but it’s a useful shorthand), but I’ll defend anyone’s freedom to say what they feel is important. Obviously, what I do object to is when individuals harangue others and pester them. But when it comes to social media we have the same ability as we have with the TV set: we can turn it off or move on to the next post/channel.
Let’s face it, when you put a post out there, you don’t expect the Spanish Inquisition.
If you alienate some people, then you didn’t really want them to follow you anyway.
Do I unfollow you here?
Thanks Graeme. True words. 🙂
Bravo my friend! Kindness, compassion, humanity does not equal damn politics. ❤ xoxo
❤
We have the right to freedom of speech which was hard won. If people do not like what we have to say then they are welcome to switch off. However, standing up for those who are either unable to speak or stand up for themselves is not political it is humanitarian.. I stay out of politics as such online, as whilst I am very prepared to consider someone else’s point of view and listen to what they have to say, I am not going to change my standpoint if I am ranted at and harangued. Persuade me with constructive and factual data.. I think we all, as other’s have said, write our side of the story when we create our work. For centuries only the victors were allowed to write the history.. That is changing and millions of ordinary people without an axe to grind or an agenda are free to write their views. Thanks Christoph for creating the opportunity for debate which I see has been enjoyed by your other commenters.. I doubt you will lose many readers.. and thank goodness I am a very regular cinema goer…..xx
Thanks Sally ❤
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – 8th February 2017 – Dr. Dolittle, The Turin Shroud, Sexism, Politics and Emotional Beats | Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life
This makes perfect sense. I have been trying so hard over my three years of blogging not to make ‘political comments’, partly because I don’t feel sufficiently informed. However, this no longer feels like an option.
You are brave to venture into this arena, Christoph, but I suspect a vast part of the blogosphere will agree with you. I have tried manfully (!) not to comment on anything political and not to say anything about what I might believe because I’ve been physically threatened. It’s a sad world we live in.
Reblogged this on Freedom of the Press Guardian and commented:
Perspective from a fellow author.
https://dukecitytimes.com/2017/02/25/it-is-the-presidents-job-duty-and-obligation-to-utilize-the-press-of-the-american-people/
I really liked this post
If you like politics, check out my site at the link below!
http://braedenpoliticslife.com
Great read. Politics can be a difficult thing to discuss, especially with people that disagree; however, it is our duty to democracy to say what we feel is best. Silence doesn’t help anyone and the changes cannot be made through silence. So speak your mind and let your voice be heard.
Really a great read! Expressing political views is really important. it reflects that you care about the society and your involvement to make a better place to live.