Writer’s Perspective

Every writer has their own approach to their craft.  Imagination, observation, and personal relationships are just a few of the sources that writer’s draw from to create their work.  However, as acquaintances of writers, are we allowing ourselves to become their subjects for creative development?  In her article “Opting for Invention Over the Injury of Invasion,” Carol Shields reflects on the struggle to limit the damage to personal relationships that can be caused when they are used as inspiration in fiction writing.

As she opens her article “Opting for Invention Over the Injury of Invasion,” Carol Shields recollects a time when she met a friend at a shopping mall who had just purchased a green nightgown and was on her way to find green candles to match her new intimate wear.  Intrigued by this look into the corky characteristics of others, Shields added this detail into the novel she was currently writing.  Upon reading her draft, however, Shields removed the node to her friend in fear that she would be uncomfortable by the reference to her unusual color coding practices.  Shields reflected that many writers face such a challenge between utilizing real life human inspiration and offending friends and colleagues by adapting their traits into their fiction work.  In her discussion of this struggle, Shields notes that, “For I am convinced that no one wants to make an appearance in someone else's fiction, whether in the guise of a slightly demented shopper or equipped with heroic raiment” (Shields, 2000).  Shields states that every writer will address this situation differently, but I agree with her assessment that we should consider how others will be affected by the use of their personal interactions and experiences for fiction writing.  No matter how innocent or flattering a reference may be, it could still invoke a sense of embarrassment or a feeling that their privacy was invaded.

The sentiment which Shields describes can also be related to writing for the social media environment.  Writers of online content face a similar dilemma: how will what we write affect those that are involved?  The Society of Professional Journalist’s Code of Ethics asks writers to “minimize harm,” but that can sometimes be difficult with the rapid speed of information sharing through social media.  For example, when Joe Paterno’s death was falsely reported by a small local media outlet, the inaccurate report went viral and soon national news outlets were publishing the report as truth.  This premature report not only affected Paterno’s family, but also affected the victims of the sex scandal at Penn State that clouded Paterno’s successful coaching career.  It is important to ensure that the information we are sharing on social media is accurate and well researched or it can have damaging effects on those that are involved.   

In closing, it is important for writers to consider the affect that their work will have on their audience when they are preparing to release it to the world.  In her reflection on fiction writing, Shields noted that people are reluctant to have details of their lives shared, no matter how small or identifiable they may be, so one must balance real world inspirations with personal relationships.  In terms of writing for social media, writers should also be aware of how their reports will affect those that are involved before sharing information on a global platform.  No matter what the genre or publication platform, writers should always make sure to address how their audience will react to their content before they publish it.