A friend and I were talking about blogs the other day. (She knows who she is.*g*) One of my favorite blogs to visit is John Scalzi’s blog because he covers a variety of topics and doesn’t let much get to him when it comes to comments. I realized that there are only a few ‘romance’ blogs that attempt that and even they don’t cover topics like Scalzi. It dawned on me that there were a couple of reasons for this, which is what prompted the conversation with my friend. One, is that most (but not all) romance blogs are operated by women and two, seems to come from the fact that they’re tied to romance.
It seems extremely easy to set off a firestorm on romance blogs. Anything with the slightest bit of controversy (ie politics, religion, books, authors, reviewers, movies, etc.) gets ripped apart. It kind of makes me sad because I wish that I could operate a blog like Scalzi’s, but I know it would amount to career suicide. It’s too easy to offend people without trying, and once you do, word spreads. Now I don’t know if sales are effected, but in these economic waters can anyone (especially an unestablished writer) really take a chance? 
I’ll have to check out John Scalzi’s blog.
Yeah, I tend to stay away from the controversial on my blog. I’m not sure how good a fire fighter I am.
by Ashley Ladd May 19th, 2008 at 7:38 pmWell, I think there’s always a good way and a bad way to discuss just about any topic out there.
But to keep things from getting combative requires a vigilance I personally wouldn’t want to mess with.
Without being very diligent about watching things, it’s too easy to let things descend into name calling and even if the author speaks up against that and tries to rein things it….well, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Dramas-I got a love/hate relationship with them.
by Shiloh Walker May 19th, 2008 at 7:58 pmAshley, My guess is that my spitting on the flame method of fire-fighting doesn’t really work. *g*
by Jordan Summers May 19th, 2008 at 8:15 pmShiloh, See, I’d love to discuss a variety of topics, but I won’t allow myself to get dragged into a fight. It’s not worth my time or energy.
by Jordan Summers May 19th, 2008 at 8:16 pmIt’s sobering to see a situation like the HelenKay Amazon retaliation…for something she didn’t even say. I’m not sure you can avoid controversy even by trying.
by Charli May 19th, 2008 at 8:27 pmIt’s a fine line to walk, isn’t it? (And there seem to be so many in this business).
by raine May 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pmI agree. I don’t mind touching on the controversial stuff occasionally, but we’ve all seen how easy it is to get out of hand. And that’s very sad, as is the fact that the simplest comment, taken the wrong way, could cost a writer/artist/public figure their career…
I wish there were more blogs like Scalzi’s, instead of the drivel most of them report on. Anything to start a shit storm. I feel like quite a few blogs revel in that. Providing a forum for people to act like fools and idiots. I try and stay away from most blogs except for friends’ blogs and I do read a couple of agents’ blogs.
by Vivi Anna May 19th, 2008 at 9:40 pmCharli, What happened to HelenKay? I hadn’t heard anything.
I hope it gets straightened out quickly. Sadly, it proves my point.
by Jordan Summers May 19th, 2008 at 9:43 pmRaine, Oh yeah. Very fine. Very slippery. I believe that’s the difference between blogs in the romance realm and those outside of it. I’m not saying that men are exempt, but they seem to have less of a problem in that area.
by Jordan Summers May 19th, 2008 at 9:44 pmVivi, Me too.
I have my usuals that I visit, but I rarely comment. And when I do, I REALLY think about what I’m going to say.
by Jordan Summers May 19th, 2008 at 9:45 pm*G* And that’s why I have a hard time avoiding blog dramas. I love to discuss-but it eats up my time like nothing else.
I’ve done better the past couple of weeks.
I think.
by Shiloh Walker May 19th, 2008 at 9:58 pmShiloh, I love to ‘discuss’ various topics, too. But they don’t seem like discussions on a lot of blogs.
by Jordan Summers May 19th, 2008 at 10:03 pmAfter what a few humorous comments did to Tess Gerritsen, I understand completely why even an established author would shy away from anything controversial. Simply commenting on a subject, without reacting angrily to a dissenting opinion, is an ingredient needed in a discussion. Remembering there are people who live to be offended helps too.
by BernardL May 20th, 2008 at 7:53 amI feel like I’m in the blog version of the French resistance most days, what with the constant troll patrols. Maybe I should start wearing a beret, smoking Gauloises, and muttering occupe-toi de tes oignons. But I look silly in hats, I’d probably set myself on fire, and when will anyone in publishing ever tend their own onions?
I think you do fine with the content you have. You’re an oasis of sanity in a very crazy online world.
by Lynn May 20th, 2008 at 8:35 amBernard, Yeah, I caught the tail-end of the Tess blow up. Not fun. Unfortunately, a lot of people can’t follow that simple discussion formula.
LOL, yes, there is that. I believe there are a lot of those folks around these days. Maybe it’s because they feel so helpless in their everyday lives..? This is their one chance to vent.
by Jordan Summers May 20th, 2008 at 10:02 amLynn, LOL! I’m picturing that outfit. *ggg* I think they have to find their gardens first.
Thank you. I just wish I could throw more out there without having to worry about it.
by Jordan Summers May 20th, 2008 at 10:04 am