As readers of this blog now, I’ve been on a funk-induced partial hiatus lately. This morning, while choosing a few random blogs to check in on, I read a thoughtful post about a writer’s choice not to post something they planned. The post would be controversial and would offend someone, so after receiving advice against posting, she refrained. I know nothing of the content or how it would be delivered, but something about the choice compelled me to come out of hiatus and write.

I’ve read several posts from this blogger that I enjoy, and I have to admit, whether I would be in agreement with what she was about to write or not, I was looking forward to hearing what she had to say.

I do respect her decision to avoid offending others. Many people on the interwebs have completely removed their polite filter as they hide behind their monitor, so it’s refreshing to see someone think before they “speak”.

However, should writer’s avoid posting anything that could offend their audience for the sake of their brand?

Not necessarily.

There is a big difference between being offensive and writing something that might offend. We all have read or heard someone who is being offensive. When they state their opinion, they do it by insulting the opposite side of the issue. If you aren’t with me, you are an idiot, a moron, and your mom dresses you funny.

They draw a line of us and them with any stand they take. Their love of Corn Flakes is so obviously superior to your preference of Cocoa Puffs*. There is no middle ground. You must pick a side.

If this is what you are writing, then it is entirely possible that you might be alienating an audience. (You are also strengthening another one, but that is a whole other post…)

Then there is writing your opinion in a well thought out and reasoned way. It’s not about attacking the lovers of Cocoa Puffs, it’s about standing up for your beloved Corn Flakes and letting others think about them in a way they may never have. (“With bananas and honey, you say? Hmmm…”)

Both ways of writing may offend. No matter how politely you say it, someone who loves Cocoa Puffs will call you names, and tell lies about how the Corn Flake companies have you in their pocket.

Both methods may attract and repel readers. There are plenty of successful writers (and I include professional bloggers in the category of writers) who have the readership they have because they are offensive. And there are others that have readers because they aren’t. Most of the time, both successes depend more on how well they deliver those opinions, whether they be spewed vitriolic or laid out delicately.

As a new writer, it is up to you to choose what sort of audience you are looking for. I’d venture to say that attacking other’s beliefs, politics, and favorite cereals may not be the way to broaden your appeal. But refraining from speaking your mind at all could result in sounding like an encyclopedia.

I generally find writer’s most interesting when they are being themselves. It may be talk of their struggles with personal issues, humorous anecdotes about their bathroom habits, or talk of more controversial topics. Those are the things that make that person human. It makes them real.

If all they ever talk about is gardening** and their writing process, no matter how much I love gardening, it may not keep me interested. After all, I can read a million other blogs on the topic. What I can’t read elsewhere is a blog about who they are and what they think.

Personally, my pants would certainly be en fuego if I said I didn’t have strong opinions. (Thanks, Italian/Cuban/wee-bit-O-Jewish heritage.) There are plenty I don’t use my blog to voice, but if I feel that voicing them here will be an effective way of expressing myself, and perhaps be informative or entertaining to others, I voice them.

I haven’t suffered for it. On the contrary, I’ve attracted more readers***. Sure, I brace myself when I hit “Publish” on those days, and remind myself not to take dissenting views personally, but on the whole, I am happy with what I’ve expressed and don’t mind any consequences that may come.

And that is the decision each individual writer has to make. What do you want your “brand” to be? Your brand is you. It might be the glossier version, but ultimately, being you is what sets your “brand” apart from the generic one on the shelf.

So, be you. It may bring out a few haters, but you may be surprised with how much it brings out the fans as well.

After all, you are pretty awesome.****

* I do not endorse either cereal in reality
** no offense, garden related blogs. I heart you.
*** not an endorsement for writing controversy for the purpose of attracting readers.
**** …unless, of course, you are just a jerk.