After my last post, I did a lot of thinking. I’ve learned some important lessons. This is what I came up with.
1. Never post an opinion piece in the wee hours of the morning.
2. If you’re putting your opinions out there, you’d better be ready for the fallout.
3. Read, revise, read, revise. One wrong word choice can completely alter the way your piece is perceived.
4. Timing is everything.
5. Realize that many will mistakenly think you’re writing about them, even though you’re not. One event might trigger you to reflect on a bigger picture, but they won’t know that. For example, you might see a mother reprimand her child in a store. Later, you think about similar situations taken to the extreme, and you write about the verbal abuse of children. You aren’t writing about the mother, but her actions caused an idea to snowball in your head.
6. Words are power. They can build up or break down. Exercise caution.
7. On the other hand, making people stop and think about something is worth the risk of making them a little uncomfortable.
8. If I worry all day because I suspect I’ve inadvertently hurt a friend, then perhaps it wasn’t worth writing.
9. Without passion, writing falls flat. Sometimes, we must draw on personal experiences for that passion, no matter how difficult that is.
10. Even the best journalists can recall times when something they’ve written got them in hot water. It might even be said that you can’t be good if you don’t occasionally take people out of their comfort zone. Rosie DiManno at the Toronto Star immediately comes to mind. If I’ve crossed a line, then at least I’m in good company.
ROADBLOCKS, DETOURS and ROUNDABOUTS 
These are wise words and all who wield a pen – or open a mouth to comment – might do well to consider the points you make.
Thank you Christa.
Fallout from your writing/publication means that you reached someone. Read, revise…is always a sound guideline, as is to sleep on something before putting it out there. Attend to these things and others — but do not let critics (others or your own inner critic) censor you.
And always remember that “the pen is mightier than the sword.”
The pen is mightier than the sword
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
“The pen is mightier than the sword” is a metonymic adage coined by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 for his play Richelieu:
True, This! —
Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! — itself a nothing! —
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike
The loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —
States can be saved without it!
Thank you for sharing that Margie. If only all conflicts could be saved with words.
all good points 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Michelle. I hope you’re doing well.
I read both of your entries and the comments and am surprised that offense was taken. Your point does not strike me as judgemental toward particular individuals, but a reminder to all about priorities and values. The fact is most people do take privileges and people for granted, despite good intentions. We are all guilty at times and a little tough love to highlight the fact can’t hurt!
Thank you for stopping by and offering your thoughts, Carla. I hope to return the favour soon.