Putting Ourselves Out There

I'm sort of in the same boat.
As far as my writing goes I feel like I'm just getting started. I've been here a while though (this is the only writer's forum I visit and the only writer's community I'm a part of) and I feel rather at home here. For better or for worse I'm quite comfortable with expressing myself here.
When I feel I'm on deep waters, I try to remember to point this out. I mention that I'm "young and inexperienced" (though not young) and that I'm aware I might be wrong but that what I say makes sense to me as I understand things. - Sort of a disclaimer if you will.

This is really important. Acting unprofessional can get you into all kinds undesirably situation. Look up "ocean marketing" on google and see how it ended up when someone didn't act in a professional manner. That's a few years ago now and it's still used as an example of how unprofessional behavior can lead to bad publicity and how not all publicity is good publicity.

Being wrong about things is something that happens to everyone (even me). Owning up to it, admitting you were wrong and learning from your mistakes grants you respect. Trying to cover up your shortcomings by attempting to silence or abuse those who point them out is going to get you ridiculed.

 

If you want to put your opinions out there, I think you can avoid looking like a buffoon by being humble and respectful. IMHO speak from your personal experience, not what you read or heard. It doesn't always make for good press, but don't speak in terms of absolutes, or lift yourself up as an authority. Do your research and form your opinions and when possible state your sources. People may not agree with you, but at the very least they can see how you formed your opinions based on the interpretation of a source.

One of my favorite people to hear talk about writing is Neil Gaiman. He speaks from personal experience and though he's confident in himself, he doesn't sound like he's trying to be this authority. He just talks common sense that he's learned along the way.

 

Here's a suggestion. Ask questions. More than that, when you ask a question, say where you have already looked, and why you think the question might be worth answering. This lets the other readers know that you aren't just talking off the top of your head. I hate it when someone says something like "I wonder where the word 'jalopy' comes from" when a few minutes of searching would produce either an answer or else a whole new set of interesting questions.

The notion is that you are inviting people into a conversation, whereas opining tends to make people choose up sides. I learned this long ago from some writer I've long since forgotten, who advised me to ask people about their jobs. Don't tell them about your job, ask them about theirs. People love to tell you about themselves. Little do they know they are providing raw material!

At any rate, asking questions is rarely perceived as rude. And if you show that you have done some preliminary research, then you won't appear lazy either. Plus, you might be surprised at how much serendipitous knowledge you acquire in the process.

hth!

 

Agreed PenPilot. The only thing I'd add to this is keeping an open mind. Be tolerant of opposing views. Be persuadable. What's the point in debating someone who is beyond persuasion? You're better off smashing your face against a brick wall, it's more malleable.

 

I try to stay out of discussions that are too divisive, but I do speak up and make my opinion known when I feel strongly about something. As writers, I think our egos can be rather fragile, so it's easy for arguments to get started up, especially on the internet. It's just good to be mindful of listening to other people's opinions and trying to get something from them if possible. Even if you disagree, you can still have meaningful arguments about a topic.

If you are worried about your opinion being ridiculed or anything like that, it's important to think, "How are people going to react to this?" when you type anything. I don't think you need to be PC at all times, just be aware how something may be misconstrued. I feel a large percent of arguments on the internet especially happen because of miscommunication or misinterpretation. So, yeah, it happens. As a writer, if you put yourself out there, just expect backlash if you're tackling controversial subjects.