In the past, I’ve written posts about the importance of passion in your writing. I know that some of my best writings have been done when I feel passionate about the subject. When I go to other blogs, I can sense when a post was written with great passion and I can sense the posts that were merely “written”.
I don’t think that most of us write from a place of passion every single day, every single time. I think the percentages probably favor passion when we are new, when we are fresh. As times goes on our sharp edges round a little bit and for the most part we get into a groove that’s comfy – kinda like a favorite pair of slippers.
When you do write a passion post, I’m curious which pool you dip into. I seem to have morphed a bit from when I first started. Initially, my most passionate posts came from a pool of inspiration. I had an idea about a topic and I felt a great need to get it out there and share with other writers. In fact, the initial tag line for the tumblemoose site included “inspiring writers, every day”.
I have to confess that recently, a lot of my passion posts have been fueled by anger. As I see injustices or come across something particularly inane and troublesome I feel the need to write about it. These posts usually have great passion and my sharp tongue comes out swingin’. I have to say that to some extent, I don’t like that very much. It was not what I had envisioned when I started this blog. And while the topics are generally appropriate for the writing niche, I wonder if maybe it would have been best to not write the posts. I will say that often, the writing of the angry passion posts have been cathartic. Even so, I don’t get the sense of joy and excitement that I normally have when I publish a passion post pulled from the inspiration pool and I have to wonder
Is that okay?
The answer is an absolute yes. No. Uh, maybe. Heck, I just don’t know. On one hand if a post fueled by anger has got meritorious points, why shouldn’t I publish. On the other hand does that belong on a blog born of inspiration? As well, does the feeling of dread, shame and this-is-wrong give me a clue about if something should be published?
It’s an interesting quandary. I wish all of my posts came from the inspirational pool. I just wrote one for a client this weekend and it felt great! It took all of about twenty minutes to write the 700 words and things just flowed from beginning to end. It also felt great to publish.
The thought has crossed my mind to start another blog for the anger fueled passion posts. Maybe thingsthatpissgeorgeoff.com? Oy, the thought of starting another blog sends shivers up me spine, mates.
Maybe I should just quit whining about it and post whatever the heck I want. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead, blah, blah, blah.
So, I’m curious about how my fellow writing bloggers feel about this. Do you ever write from anger? How did that feel? Do you do it often? Do you ever feel a sense of regret after posting? Do you always pull from the inspirational pool or do you mix it up a bit.
My first response is to tell you to “post whatever you damn well please!”
But, I know the conflicted feelings we all can get about our writing. So, I say with less anger and more inspiration, “post whatever is in your heart and be your authentic self.”
So, did I say anything different? I don’t know. I’m conflicted too. I just know that if we try to be as authentic as possible, and give thought to what we write, most of the time it will be okay. We all go over the edge at times and have regrets, but we do the best that we can at the time.
So, if we have injustices to defend, then it may call for passionate anger. If it gets others to act in their own lives or in the world, then the writing hit it’s mark.
Since I know you to be a caring person who tries to always be aware of his impact on the world, I guess I don’t worry about you. I just worry (don’t read) the crazy ranting type who is more unglued and can’t stop their anger in their writing or in their life.
Anne Tyler Lord´s last [type] ..Fun: Summer Kickoff Party
Hey Anne,
That there is a great comment. I appreciate the thoughtful response. I’ve always tried to be a bit balanced here and I agree that there are some sites that just spew forth every single time. Those get a bit old for me.
And, kudos for the Malibu rental this summer. I love that place. Rescued a pelican there in my younger days. Soak up some sun and waves for your Alaskan bud, will ya?
George
I would say I swing from one extreme to the other – especially when I write Poetry (which I rarely do). I write poetry when I’m inspired – sometimes of the silliest things like weekends or a fly on the window. I’ve also written some Poetry while I was fueled by anger and frustration – I would say they were not necessarily better, but with a much more serious tone.
In normal blog posts, I’ve experienced beginning a blog post fueled by passion, excited to write down my thoughts on whatever specific emotional outburst I was having at the time – and then after a few lines the excitement fades and all I’m left with is a.. well.. a draft. :p
reyjr´s last [type] .."Earning 10 in 2010" – May Online Earnings Update!
Rey-rey!
It’s interesting that you mention the fading excitement. I’ve done that too. Had an outstanding idea for something I figured would be a chart topper. Got through the first paragraph and went, “Heck, that is all I really wanted to say.” Into the draft pile it goes…
Good seeing you here.
George
Haha! Exactly! “OK so I’ve said what I really wanted to say… what now?” lol.
I have numerous drafts now. :p gah.
reyjr´s last [type] ..The Uber Prestigious Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2010
I try not to post in anger. I don’t think anger is a productive emotion to tap. Yes, the words fly off my tongue (or fingertips) but they often turn out to be words I will regret.
My aim in an argument is to sway people to my side, not impress them with the virulence of my emotion. I think about it this way: if I express my anger there are three most likely outcomes.
1. I may rouse people who already agree with me – nothing gained for my purpose.
2. I may get into a shouting match with my opponents – nothing gained for my purpose.
3. I may put off those in the middle who might have been swayed by level headed arguments – HUGE LOSS from my perspective.
Now, if instead I aimed to rouse people to start carrying signs and impressing the world with their virulence, then anger would have a place in my arguments. Or if I hoped to incite my opponents into virulent behavior themselves, anger would work.
Focused on the third group though, the people in the middle, I see no place for anger in my arguments and I work to temper my emotions.
Besides, more often than I care to recall I have found when the anger passed, that the emotion had clouded my original judgment.
Tammi Kibler´s last [type] ..Self Brand Tips for Writers Crafting Their Personal Brand
Tammi,
Ding,ding, ding! Folks, we have a winner. I love what your comment has to say. I had never thought of things from that perspective but it makes perfect sense.
As far as anger clouding judgment, oy. I cringe when I think of how often I’ve had to be taught THAT lesson.
George
Oooo, did I win the all expenses paid cruise to Alaska?
Trust me, this is a lesson learned many times while wiping the egg off my face. I will learn it again before the year is through, I am sure.
Remember Roseanne Roseannadanna? I think we all have our “nevermind” days.
BTW, thanks for hosting a place where I know I can disagree and not get flamed.
Tammi Kibler´s last [type] ..Ideal Customers – Miss This and You Will Miss Them
Tammi,
Uh, yeah you did. Keep an eye out in your email for the check…
Man, I hadn’t thought of Gilda in a long time. That brings a smile to me face.
And you are most welcome, Dah-link. It’s nice to have you around.
George
George, as long as you are being true to yourself, you should write whatever is on your heart and mind.
Carrie
Carrie´s last [type] ..The Road
Hiya Carrie,
Thanks for that. I do make an effort to be real, because I think the other path is hollow. There are some things I would do differently I suppose and I’m learning as I go but I will always be George in my writings
G
I try not to write in anger because if I did I would never stop. There are so many things in the online writing world that anger me and the constant complaining and grumbling that goes on really annoys me so I prefer not to comment or add to them by writing about them. When it comes to writing with passion I have found that with my new website. I am writing for me. I am writing what I want to write and best of all I am writing from my heart. For me I think that if you have a business blog it is a good idea to consider having a personal blog too where you can write what you want without having to take SEO into account. This should be a place where you passion pours out no matter what subject.
Thanks so much for reminding me of the joy and passion I have once again found in my writing George and I hope that this passion follows through to everyone else that reads your blog too.
Amanda
Amanda Evans´s last [type] ..Ghostwriting Success Without Marketing
You are so kind, Amanda.
I have found that it is all to easy for me to get sucked into something that I find on the web that gets my goat. Lord knows there is no shortage. Thanks for reminding me about the true passion that I’ve tried to keep around this place. This week I’ll post my 250th (!) post here and I hope to keep the passion for another 250!
George
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Anger fueled posts can sometimes give readers a better idea of your personality as blogger. If handled right it can attract you more followers especially when you’re breathing fire for the right reasons and not for every little nuisance that gets in your way. Just because you can rant doesn’t mean you always should, right?
I”m not worried at all about your recent outburst. It’s warranted and well written. The greater crime for me is to be dreadful and boring. And guess what, you are not guilty of that.
Hey Jan,
Thanks for dropping by. I think you are correct in that it is all about handling things the right way.
Ugh. Dreadful and boring, no thanks!
BTW, did you change your subscription process? I haven’t seen exhale in my inbox for quite a while
George
Off the top of my head:
Passion, anger, love, defeat, experience, solution, explanation..and on and on. All are valid for writing your columns EVEN in a publication that is suppose to provide inspiration.
A well rounded writer tackles topics from many different motivations and this is what makes them a well-rounded and competent a writer. If you inspire them to write regardless of the motivation, and you inspire them to spread their wings, you’ve done your job.
Course, I’m not much of a writer so I could just be blowing smoke.
Hey Valerie,
Actually I know that you have great writing skills, you silly. Passion is passion I guess and as long as the subject is done the right way, it’s all good.
I hope folks remain inspired…
George
I rarely write from anger because my blogs are more informational, more tips-based. But now that I’ve said that, I just realized that of COURSE tips-based articles can be passionate, and come from anger!
Interesting.
Thanks, George, you’ve opened up a whole new world for me
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen´s last [type] ..My 12 Favorite WordPress Plugins for Bloggers
Hi Laurie,
I appreciate the thoughts. Yeah, passionate writing could come from anywhere and be related to any kind of post. I find this whole anger thing to be very interesting.
George
I consider anger a passion. That being said, if I’m writing because I’m angry I usually put it in a draft and walk away for several hours. Then if upon rereading I am content with it I’ll publish it.
I think that being ‘angry’ doesn’t always translate into a post with angry words.. that intense emotion may fuel me to say something about a topic I might not have normally tackled. Or I may take a twist on the subject that is fueled indirectly by my anger. If something inspires me, as you indicated as well, the words flow and I know I’ve done a good job. If it’s a struggle and the words seem more rant than prose I normally won’t post it… though I have broken my own rule there before. Of course, this is more in how I do my anonymous blog (delicacies.wordpress.com) , for the blog I write under my real name, Walker, I am more circumspect as potential clients might be visiting!
Walker´s last [type] ..Wednesday Words
Hey Walker,
The walking away tip is absolutely invaluable. It is the same as firing off an angry email response at work. Best to put it in the outbox for later review prior to sending.
Hehe, yep. Gotta keep the clients in mind as well. Point well taken.
George
I’m trying not to draw from anger when I write. A few reasons:
1. When I go back and read those things, I don’t like them. They reflect a temporary state of mind, but they don’t fell as though they reflect who I am–or at least who I want to be.
2. I find that that the angry stuff gets more attention (positive and negative) but that it does very little to persuade the targets of that anger to see things my way.
3. I’ve found that I have the ability to be a Grade-A smart-ass. I can bring the snark, unleash nuclear mockery and belittle like a champ. I’m good at it. But it’s easy. Too easy. You mentioned the difference between writing with passion and just writing… Well, when I’m unleashing from an angry place, it’s not my best (even if it’s quality smack). I find that writing from anger tends to put me in a cheap-shot mode where I can get by without really applying myself, if that makes sense.
Great topic.
Carson Brackney´s last [type] ..Jim Joyce: WWJJD?
Carson,
Thanks for commenting. Spot on take on this issue. Ya know, I just get the sense that you could hang with the best of ‘em if provoked.
Yep, your take on this makes perfect sense to me.
Cheers
George
Good question George,
For myself, I don’t write from anger, especially knowing anything we publish online will be there forever. And for me, anger passes pretty quickly. I don’t want to look back on something I wrote last week and say, “what was I thinking?” when it was an issue that was quickly resolved, but meanwhile others are reading it for the first time and thinking I’m still upset.
P.S. I like the name of your “anger” site. Do it!
Barbara Swafford´s last [type] ..If Success Came Knocking…
Hi Barbara,
I’m wondering what kind of theme works for an anger site. I smile thinking about the possibilities!
George
Interesting question. I don’t think I’ve ever written a post from a place of anger (maybe I’ve found a post title or two but never hit publish). I take the time to think and find a lesson on something perhaps but never fully write or publish from a place of anger.
Ricardo Bueno´s last [type] ..50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Business
Hey Ricardo,
Welcome and thanks for coming by. Your point about finding the lesson is a good one. I continue to find and learn lessons from things all the time. I guess it’s a matter of keeping your eyes open for the opportunities.
George
Wonderful topic, George.
I can’t say I don’t write from a point of anger. Anger can fuel passion and inspire greater things, just as the warm fuzzies of life can inspire. The difference is knowing what is a knee-jerk reaction and what is carefully considered indignation.
Emotions (good, bad, or indifferent,) life experiences (also good, bad, or indifferent,) and our observations of the world around us – this where we draw our unique voice and style, as writers. We are a collection of the emotion baggage with which we arrive at this spot in time. That baggage is what makes us who we are and give us the viewpoints we have about things.
I know I have certainly written posts that originally sprang from something that really got my knickers in a knot. However, there have been times where that initial anger is what helped me to see there was a greater point to be made – an issue that had merit for public airing/discussion.
Personally? With the exception of the “angry at the world about everything” folks, I want to see a whole person – warts and all. I want to know what gets your boxers in a bunch. I want to know what lifts your spirits. (“You” being a general reference to any writer I read.) I want to know the whole you – even on the bad hair days. (Sorry, George…bad hair or unhair days, as the case may be.) Seeing someone at both their best times and their worst is how you learn to identify with another person. You understand their motivation, their values.
How can you learn that, especially on a blog where you only see a two dimensional view of a person, if they only keep things light and rosey?
Sandi,
“knickers in a knot” – snort. That cracks me up.
Tons of insight in your comment here. In terms of personalizing the site, showing all facets is a pretty cool thing. I’ve never quite thought of things that way but now that you mention it, it makes perfect sense.
Hey, I have bad hair days, trust me. “I just washed my head and can’t do a thing with it.”
Lovely having you here, Sandi.
George
Hi George
Got to be passion, got to be.
Well it is for me.
I’m trying to give my readers all the info I have in order to make life easier for them.
Only time I feel anger is when it’s not working and I’m not saying what I want to say.
Even then the anger is directed at me and it soon passes as the words start to make sense again.
I can see that anger might be useful when you say…
“a lot of my passion posts have been fueled by anger. As I see injustices”
Different for me because I’m not dealing with injustice.
Good post – made me think!
Keith Davis´s last [type] ..Laugh and the world…
Hey Keith,
Nice to see you here, thanks for dropping by.
I think a lot of folks treat anger the same way.
Cheers
George
Hi George – I’m new here…But I have an opinion just the same.
Anger is emotion – passion makes good writing
if I read passion I am inspired.
I feel that one should edit themselves as
little as possible.
When I read – I am disappointed if I can not read it
all.. Happiness, sadness, anger, rage
all of it is what makes the hairs on my
neck stand up and causes me to feel something.
Emotion inspires me.
If I had to walk around in an edited world
I would feel like a painting that
was never able to leave the wall…
cheated.
Sometimes I read stuff that makes me want to
cry, choke, spit or scream –
but that is the same reason
I continue reading – the very same reason
that makes me check back to see if there is more.
I am disappointed when
it is over. … the same as I feel when I have
finished an awesome book -
I hold the book in my hand looking
again at the end page thinking is that it?
I close the book and open it again
perhaps fooling myself to think that more of the story
will magically appear if I just keep searching.
When a writer censors him or herself
perhaps the reader is being cheated.
Never mind what they think, think what they never mind.
Edie,
Wow. Great comment. So full of wisdom, so passionate. Really made me sit down and think and isn’t that what great writing is all about.
Welcome and I hope to see more of you here.
George
Great post, George!! I’m bookmarking this, in the hopes I’ll get time to come back and read the huge stream of comments you elicited by touching a universal nerve.
I haven’t been doing much blog writing lately, so I can’t speak to that. But a particular issue in my life has had me so darn angry, I had to get three chiropractic adjustments in a row (and do a bunch of maniac yelling in the bathtub while trying to soak my tense muscles) just to try to relieve the build-up. So finding your post was absolutely timely.
I say, YES, fearlessly write and post those angry little suckers, for two reasons:
– Trying to be nice all the time is repressive and bad for our health.
– Writers have the role of expressing what others are not always in a position to express. In the case of a blog designed to help writers, you may be expressing things that other writers have had too much shame or guilt to express themselves. By courageously posting your rants, you give everyone else the opening to rant too.
And sometimes we just need to rant, dangit!!
Thanks, George. You give such great value, no matter what mood you’re in.
Hi there Milli,
Nice to see you here and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I have been guilty of holding things in and I know that niceness can sometimes be bad for your health when you are using it to keep other emotions at bay.
I’ve found that my most popular posts are those that are written from a place of passion.
I’d much rather have rants take place here than Craigslist – now those folks are brutal!
George