This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.
This month’s question — Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?
No, no and no. I’m very conservative in my writing (and life). I don’t like confrontations, arguments. I don’t like upsetting people. I’m happy to make readers think but not at the expense of their peace of mind. I like logic, rationality, connecting the dots, that sort of stuff. I want the elephant behind the door to show itself so no one is surprised. I’m not afraid to fight but I’ll always fight fair (even if you don’t).
I hope that shows in my stories. I think my prehistoric fiction theme works perfectly for my natural inclinations. I have had some pushback from creationists (because my early man characters lived 1.8 mya and 850,000 years ago) but our discussions have remained amicable and knowledge-seeking.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on this. Another interesting topic, Alex!
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Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
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I’m so adverse to confrontations, I don’t even like to have my characters face them either. Not good for reader enjoyment.
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That’s interesting. But, if you read through these comments, you’ll see an awful lot of people agree with you which make a mild character compelling.
Waiting for your first book, Ken.
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*sticking my hand up* Me too, Jacqui. But I am trying to be brave and take a few more chances. Will see how it goes (and how long I can be brave for).
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Me too, little by little. Sigh.
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Simply writing and publishing are risks in themselves, putting your work out there. Well done to all who do this.
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I didn’t think of the self-pub until someone mentioned it. You’re right. Self-publishing a novel for the first time is beyond stressful! Thanks, Joanne.
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You are such a nice – and versatile – person, Jacqui. While I am not averse to sharing my opinions and using my own unique voice in writing, I actually hate confrontations as well and it is never my intent to offend anyone. You might be straightforward in your writing, but the worlds you create offer lots of adventure!
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That is so kind, Liesbet. I definitely try. Here’s to more courageous adventure!
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Interesting to read your comment as I see you and your characters as risk takers. I know the setting of period for you stories are about survival but they take risks each time they journey to find a home. I see that in you.
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I guess I do my risk taking vicariously through my characters! Same with my thriller characters. They are much braver than me.
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It’s a bit like killing characters, I have particular people in mind when I write the scene. It doesn’t get me in trouble writing about it!!
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I was a little surprised by your answer, Jacqui. I think writing prehistoric fiction does require a leap of faith (a risk) to some extent. But I know what you mean by avoiding controversy. That’s not really my thing either. Happy Writing!
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Well, as I think back on it, you’re right. I wrote the first prehistoric fiction book over 20 years ago, too afraid to publish it because who would read it? So I wrote my two thrillers, worked up my courage and published the prehistoric fiction. To my surprise, it’s a niche read but people who like that niche are devoted! Nice.
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Thank you for sharing!!… I try to refrain from confrontations, rantings, etc also.. BUT life is either an adventure or it is nothing and sometimes one need to leave safe harbor… YOU do so every time you pen your thoughts and share them.. and I have no doubt as long as you let your fingers do the walking (typing/writing) while your heart does the talking, you will not go wrong… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May your day be touched
by a bit of Irish luck,
Brightened by a song
in your heart,
And warmed by the smiles
of people you love.
(Irish Saying)
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I do too, try to avoid confrontations. It does seem a lot more difficult to do than it used to be.
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Like you, I hate controversy, arguing. I try to be tactful. Unfortunately, some people are so direct they don’t get tact. Still, in my writing, I’m not afraid to try something new. That could be considered risky–to, say, change POVs. I do have fun doing it.
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Times are challenging. Keep my head down takes on new meaning!
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As soon as I saw the question I immediately thought: “I’m a risk taker by WRITING and then by SHARING my stories! Phew. That’s risky right there. 🙂
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That is risky. And then publishing!
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Ack! Riskiest ever….
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I’m not sure if I am a risk taker in my writing, but I know in my life I am a risk taker.
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Yeah you are! Look at the big change you just took!
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What a great question, Jacqui. I was much more of a risk-taker in my younger days. Now at almost 70, I’ve become more cautious and logical. I love making my characters take risks and can live vicariously through them now. 🙂
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Me, too. That’s where most of my risk taking occurs. But I’ve noticed as I get older, I am less concerned about speaking out and what that will do to my career or life in general. Do you see that?
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Most definitely. I won’t hesitate to write something gritty or out of the box.
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This is actually quite a tough question for me, Jacqui. If your answer is no then I suppose mine would also be know given that I’ve just finished reading your book The Quest for Home and I think you touched on some quite controversial topics. I think you have to in order to make a book interesting and a good read. That being said, you never know how some people will react to certain topics.
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That’s interesting, Robbie. I feel insulated from the tough topics because of the timing of my books. I’ll have to think about that.
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I think we all cringe when we read bad reviews, Jacqui. I do take some risks, although my poem I just posted about Covid is as edgy as it gets, at least for now. Although increasingly, devout Catholicism is getting edgy as the pendulum moves left.
If it’s any comfort, Catholics should have no theological issues with your early man/woman series. We’ve long taken a hybrid approach to creationism, viewing the seven days spoken of in Genesis as seven time periods. Given that viewpoint, evolution and creation can dovetail nicely. I was taught this back in the seventies, so it’s hardly new thought in the Church. : )
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I love hearing you say that. Instinctively, that is my feeling–that time in the Bible isn’t as structured as we think of it today. So, my 850,000 years could be God’s one day. Who knows! Thanks for adding some meat to that idea.
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Creationist pushback? It takes all types to make the world go round… I suppose.
Humans need to accept that diversity is part of life.
When we learn mutual respect for differing world views, things will be okay. However, we still have a long way to go.
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I inherently respect all opinions. I think it’s part of being a lifelong learner. The more I learn, the more everything–really, all ideas–make sense. But yes, we sure do have a long way to go.
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Beautiful blog
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Thank you!
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Please read my post
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The conservative way is a far more peaceful way. I’m not big on surprises either 😉
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Well said, Lynda.
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I enjoyed your post. The only risk-taking are my characters in my novels and stories. I don’t like confrontation or risk-taking.
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It’s fun to do through our characters what we would never otherwise do.
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I’ve definitely been a risk taker in life and in writing, but like you, I avoid confrontations, arguments, and upsetting people. I’ve started my adult life over/reinvented myself completely three times, but it all worked out. I avoid arguing with Creationists, if at all possible. It’s like getting pulled into a power struggle with third graders. Give them a way to save face and exit; there is no reasoning with them.
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I avoid arguing politics! I feel about them they way you feel about Creationists. Yikes!
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Your personality sounds like mine, Jacqui. I’m not a pushover, but I sure don’t go looking to instigate trouble. The people I find the most tiresome are those who never seem happy unless they’re in the middle of a bunch of drama. My least favorite thing I ever did in education was to serve as bargaining chair for one year. Life is so much easier when we just get along with those around us.
As far as taking risks in writing, I haven’t done it long enough to determine that. My sense is that I’m more willing to take risks in writing than I am in most other areas of life, as I plan on broaching some topics that might make others uncomfortable.
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I think us both being teachers, we’ve learned that truth is often dictated by your lens–parents, teachers, admin, cultural experiences. I try not to get too vested in anything as long as we all stay respectful of each other.
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You’ve expressed my sentiments exactly.
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Great answer, especially the fair part.
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Thank you! Fair is hard to come by so it’s not as easy as it sounds!
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I hate confrontations, too, but I guess I am a risk-taker. I write about some tough subjects, but I love to do it. 🙂
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You do but I don’t see them as confrontational. Most people would agree with them.
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I am not generally a risk-taker. However, I did take a big risk when writing my historical fiction short story and novel. Mostly ignored by those who didn’t want to hear about the injustices in life and those good people who were causing much of it…
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I think we Indie writers took huge risks. I should have mentioned that in this post. Being self-pubbed is a huge risk.
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Agree!
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Pushback from creationists? They apparently didn’t realize you were writing fiction, not rewriting the Bible? I wish we had more people with your attitude in charge of things. We could do with a bit less incendiary emotion in the world.
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OK, I’m going over to follow you, Lee. You have all the bravery I wish I had! I thought about saying that and… kept my mouth shut!
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Creationist pushback. I love that. Well, without diverse worldviews where would we be?
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I can actually see room for both but it must be challenging for them when my characters are unabashedly early humans from ancient times. Not apes by any means (though I love the great apes) but not quite us either.
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Sometimes I take a few risks, but I rarely publish those kinds of experiments on my blog. Some of my unpublished poetry takes a few risks, but so far I’ve only done that kind of work in poetry workshops.
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Well that’s brave enough, Andrew. The older I get, the more courageous I am.
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Jacqui, you and I could be twins in our attitudes about writing and the things that are related to it.
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I love hearing that, Anneli. And when I see all your gorgeous friends on your blog, I could be your neighbor, too.
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That would be so wonderful!
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I may be a risk taker when I ride on the wings of words but I am a realist. 🙂
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That’s good enough, Balroop. Actually, I see you as upbeat, positive, forward-looking.
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I’d never thought of this before; what a great question! I enjoyed reading your answer and especially like what you said about fighting fair.
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Alex is amazing with his questions. I don’t know how he comes up with so many good ones.
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I used to follow the IWSG but I kind of left off it.
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I’ve dropped a number of blog hops. They just don’t work for me or the hosts are intrusive. This one matches my personality perfectly.
So what’s E for #atoz? I’ll have to come check…
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Epically Awesome. Literally.😉
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At the end of the day, you’re right.
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😂😂😂
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I took the risk of approaching some controversial subjects: forbidden love, prejudice, bullfights, tolerance…
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Is tolerance controversial? I suppose to some. I felt a bit ‘risky’ when I posted about ‘black comedy’, thinking some would misunderstand. I really need to be braver.
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I don’t stray from conservative either.
I do believe in Creation but I certainly have no issues with your stories!
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I my cerebral brain, I think Creationism and Evolution co-exist nicely because I believe time as an inviolable truth is a flawed concept. Who knows.
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I don’t like to argue either. And I like to fight fair like you.
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The easiest way to shut me up is to be irrational. I have no idea where to go from there!
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Jacqui, my answer is a perfect match for yours–No, no, and no! I know my strengths as I writer and I stick with them. My characters may take risks, but the gal penning their moves likes to play it safe 🙂
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That’s so funny. Me too! My females do lots of stuff I never would and I make sure they always work out. This fiction stuff is fun.
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I loved your response, Jacqui. Especially about fighting fair whether the other person does or not.
May your muse keep dancing on your shoulder.
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Thanks, Sandra. If I fight nasty, I feel bad inside. It’s just not worth it.
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I took a big risk when I made a commitment to write Einstein’s Compass. The financial investment alone is huge. I like being creative in my life and take calculated risks like travel to locations around the world. I changed my hair color to a brighter copper and Iove it. At age 70 I am not afraid to expand my imagination into the world.
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And you co-wrote Einstein’s Compass. To me, as a writer, that’s a huge risk. And it worked for you!
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I’m with you. I make my characters take risks because I don’t like to. And I don’t react well when I’m forced to make changes. I deal with it (it’s not like I have a choice), but I think I hate it more than most people.
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That’s my answer to, to change–I deal with it but don’t like it. There are people who revel in risk. Not me at all.
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I’m with you, Jacqui. I don’t mind exploring the human condition and sometimes complex emotions, but risk-taker? No, not me.
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The one thing that can push me out of my non-risk-taker mode is if I’m expected to do something because everyone does it though not necessarily right. Then, I force myself to be brave.
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In the last several years, I’ve been taking what I would consider risks in my writing. I’m taking a big risk with the new novel I’m working on, but if the risk doesn’t pay off, the novel can always be revised to become something else.
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Well I am intrigued, Liz. Hmm…
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I’m mainly venturing into forms outside of what I was taught in school.
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“No, no and no. I’m very conservative in my writing (and life).” LOL! Ditto! I knew we were kindred spirits, Jacqui.
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I had that feeling too, Jill. I like to think of it as a solid moral core but it could be a lack of bravery!
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Hi Jacqui – I too am not a risk taker … but I will jump into life and then get on with it as best I can … I’d have never gone off to live in South Africa for years, or taken that time out in Canada for a year … it’s life and we live, each to our own … I’d have said you’re a risk taker … especially with your Crossroads of Life trilogy and the research. All the best – Hilary
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How funny. And I see you as a risk-taker because you are willing to step into the unknown. Interesting.
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I have changed over time … that’s for sure – I’ll do things if I think I can cope easily with the change – sometimes not possible due to circumstances. But all fine – I certainly don’t stay in the safe lane! So you’re right in that respect … cheers Hilary
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You can pretty much find me in the safe lane or on my computer. Either place.
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Interesting. I would have said you are a risk taker for writing books like no other has done. That’s pretty innovative and risky.
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Well, I came to terms that I was doing it for me, for the Lucy in my subconscious, and didn’t care about the sales. My husband disagreed but there you have it!
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I guess if we take risks we feel comfortable with, we don’t really consider them risks. Others might if they wouldn’t take the same risks. Like mothers watching their child climb to the top of of a fort, higher than they can reach. We would consider the child to be a risk taker, but the child wouldn’t.
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Risk taker or not, you are who you are. Like Dr. Seuss said, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
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I love Dr. Seuss. Who can say truth clearer than he?
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Good answer! I’m not a risk taker in real life, either, but since I write ghost stories and gruesome things, I guess that’s where all my risk taking is.:-)
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Nice outlet, I’d say. Thanks, Priscilla.
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I am like you and tend not to like upsetting people. I tried something a bit different with Amanda in New Mexico: Ghosts in the Wind but it seems to have worked ok. As writers of course, we can’t please everyone.
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Yes. I cringe when I read bad reviews. I shouldn’t and everyone has the right to their opinions. Still, I cringe.
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