Thursday, September 10, 2009

3 Things you should never blog about

Some days it seems people are willing to share everything. I do mean everything from their yearly visit to the ob/gyn straight through to politics, religion and their sex lives. I've read the post and skimmed the blogs and discovered there are some things I never needed to know. Such as the exact nature of how your doctor does his testing behind that closed door. Yikes, I may be a female, but I still don't need to share your every discovery.

So here's my random and pretty useless list of things I never want to see blogged about or on.

#1 Exactly what goes on behind your doctor's closed door. Leave us some mystery and our lunch.

#2 Politics. Yes, I am very well aware that America is a free country and founded on the principals of free speech. Yes, this is really happening with romance writers and their blogs. I don't get it. You want to ditch talking about your latest release or work in progress to trash a member of Congress, health care issues or whatever? Readers of your blog aren't interested in your political views, they are interested in how alpha you can make your hero or when your next book will be out or even better how hot you can make them sweat with your next love scene. Leave political opinions off your blog and everyone will be much happier. There's a time and place for everything and unless you're a political writer it has no place on your blog.

#3 Other authors, editors or publishers unless it's flattering don't tempt it. Some people forget that whatever we sent out into cyber space is never lost and available to general public anytime. Careless comments have a way of biting our butts when we least expect it. E-mails written to a friend in private can sometimes end up public fodder. I've seen and read many examples of writers venting in a letter to a trust friend, things they'd never say in a public forum. With one wrong click of the mouse or a carelessly typed address that venting has turned to bashing and there's no way to stop it, take it back or delete it. It's forever out there in cyber space waiting for just the wrong person to read it and start the cycle all over again. Be safe instead of sorry, keep your e-mails friendly and saving the trashing and bashing for your cell phone. After all, no one is perfect and we all need a stress outlet from time to time. Just remember to speak it, not type it and your butt and other body parts will be safe from any further chewing.

10 comments:

jean hart stewart said...

Great blog, and so blasted true.Jean

Teri Thackston said...

Here, here, Allie. I agree with all your choices.
Teri

Unknown said...

Well said, Allie! Those are definite topics that should be avoided.

Desiree Holt said...

What can I say except...Right On!

Allie Standifer said...

Thanks, ladies. It may get me burned but I had to say it.

Cerise DeLand said...

Oh, you are sooooooo right.
We do not need to know the stuff about personal health, as in TMI. And politics? omg. I don't even talk about them with my friends. Did lunch the other day with a friend-client and kept my big mouth shut as she began...and then realized, as she always does, that I was not going to engage on this. No way I am ruining an other-wise terrific friendship with topics that neither of us will budge on. Ever.
And publishing issues, too, are best left...for the bedroom!

Kathy Kulig said...

Great advice, Allie. Once it's out in Cyberspace you can't take it back.

Afton Locke said...

I heartily agree. We all have opinions, even strong ones. But there are probably several readers with opposite views and we risk turning them off and losing them if we go too much out there, especially if we only present one side of the argument.

Marianne Stephens said...

Yes, yes, and yes. I agree with your choices. Also add religion as a fourth.
Watch what you say in cyberspace...it can come back to haunt you!
Nice reminder!

Mia Watts said...

I'm guilty of the wrongful click. It's horrifying, especially when you regain your senses and wish to hell you hadn't vented.

Politics? Not interested. However I don't agree that all people wish to hear about is my writing. I had more hits to my blog writing about the people in my apartment building than I have writing about my writing. While that sounds unflattering, I still have hefty hits.

Doctors? Ew. Total agreement there. I won't lose my lunch but as a visual thinker, there are things about you I never need to imagine.

And might I add: blog wars. Fascinating at first but trying overall if done repeatedly.