Responsible Writing: by Jon Swanson
This post was written by Jon Swanson from Levite Chronicles in response to the writing with responsibility theme. It started as an e-mail response, but I wanted to share it with you here, and Jon kindly agreed.
Here it is.
Responsible writing means I cry first.
I can make people cry. I can make people laugh–or at least smile wryly. I can make people mad.
I know. No one can make anyone do anything, but because of some things I’ve learned about people and writing and life and emotion, I can say things for which the most frequent emotional response is to cry or laugh or rage.
Most of us know how to do these things, to greater or lesser effect, with larger or smaller audiences. There is at least one other person we know well enough to annoy or delight or amuse.
Writing responsibly for me, knowing that I can create these emotional responses, means that I need to cry first.
Because I am about lives, I cannot, I dare not, write for the sake of creating emotional responses, for easy emotionalism. That is irresponsible.
If I know that a post will make someone cry and I think, “that’ll get them,” or I check the traffic waiting for a link from someone who likes that style, then I’ve been irresponsible.
If I go for an easy laugh, or poke at something just to make it explode, then I’ve been irresponsible.
If, am typing about an idea and end up in tears, if I find that I have to type gently because I’m speaking to a holy moment in someone else’s life, then I’ve been responsible.
If I’ve expressed great annoyance with someone in writing and I don’t save it and read it again before publishing, then I’ve been irresponsible.
If someone says, “That post mattered.” and I feel smug, then I’ve been irresponsible.
If someone says, “That post mattered” and I say, “For you, too?”, then I’ve been responsible.
Of course, if I send an email to a friend with a possible post, just for linklove, then I’ve been irresponsible.
But if that friend has challenged me to think about what matters, then she’s been responsible.
And I can learn.
Lemme first say, “Ouch!”
Very thought-provoking piece, Jon! Thanks for sharing these words with us.
And glad you recognized the power and truth in them, Joanna!
Cheers!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..It’s Time
Hi Jon, As a writer who often tries to inject humor into his work, I find your post a welcome reminder that humor can hurt, which is never a good outcome. I need to always keep that in mind. Your words today demonstrate how the pen is truly mightier than the sword. A lot of responsibility is required to handle either instrument!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..The Best Marketing Advice that Came My Way
Jon, thank you again for sharing these words with me, and letting me share them here. Much food for thought. I too had a twinge of ‘ouch’ at the reminder appeal responsibly to the emotions. If you’ve got skill as a writer and know how to touch people’s buttons – you need to use it with care.
Robert, I’m glad you found it of value. Jon is a writer who always manages to get me think deeper, differently, harder.
Brad, although humor can hurt it can also bring so much fun and laughter into the world. As far as I can see you always use it with good intention. That’s the most powerful sense I get from reading your blog anyway.
Thank you. This theme that Joanna suggested has been working on me since I saw it. It is way challenging. Thank you all three of you for the interaction.
jons last blog post..dying trends
Joanna, thank you so much for sharing Jon’s words and allowing us to learn from them. Jon, I am a follower of your blog (a silent reader) and your words above are so apparent in the wonderful writing you do. This post really moved me and dared me to think before I hit publish.
Karen Swims last blog post..How Santa Busted My Recession Blues
Karen, thanks for taking the time to share this feedback. I am so blessed to have such thoughtful readers and collaborators.
Jon, I loved the sentimental side of yours and this is what we called “The genuine blog writer”!
By the way, Joanna thanks for sharing this great article with us!
wilsons last blog post..You Should Be Done it Before it’s Too Late!
Wilson, thank you once again for taking the time to read, and comment. It’s much appreciated by me and everyone else who writes here.
[...] couple weeks ago, I wrote about writing with responsibility for Joanna Young. I don’t think I told you about it. Now I [...]