Writing Excuses 9.14: How to have an Opinion as a Public Figure

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Writing Excuses 9.14: How to have an Opinion as a Public Figure

From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2014/04/03/writing-excuses-9-14-how-to-have-an-opinion-as-a-public-figure/

Key Points: When you say something on the Internet, it can affect your writing career. Sometimes you want to state your opinion about controversial topics. "Don't be a jerk." Sometimes you are misunderstood. When you have an idea, stop and think. Research. Have somebody check it. Stay calm and check Snopes. Be prepared to make enemies, and decide how you are going to deal with detractors. Avoid personal attacks. Do learn to apologize. 
( Write, then delete? )

[Brandon] Excellent. All right. Well, this has been a great podcast. Mary, you have our writing prompt.
[Mary] Yes. For your writing prompt, what I want you to do is I want you to write out an opinion on something. Pick some extreme topic, preferably from secondary world fantasy or science fiction, so you don't accidentally post it on the Internet. I want you to write it in three different ways. One is I want you to write it furious and let the fury show. I want you to write it in a helpful tone. And then I want you to write one that you can show your mom. And then I want you to delete all of them.
[Chuckles]
[Brandon] This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses. Now go write.
[Howard] Go write and then delete.