Susanna Calkins, Author
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The willingness to self-censor...How does this impact writing?

11/30/2012

4 Comments

 
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Why are some people able to openly share their thoughts and ideas, without worrying about what others think? Why do others hide their opinions and views, to be shared only with those most closest to them?

While civility and social contract theory may explain this phenomenon in part (no one wants to be a jerk, right?), an interesting construct may explain this more fully:  The Willingness to Self-Censor.

According to psychologist Andrew Hayes, some people are more willing to withhold their opinion from those they believe might disagree with that opinion. Rather than sharing their opinions freely, they wait until they are in a comfortable place to speak, where they are free from being critiqued. Or they simply do not reveal their true thoughts at all.

This theory, I believe, has important implications for writers. Some of us (and I put myself in this category), might score high on the Willingness to Self-Censor Scale. While we may feel we are protecting ourselves, we should consider:


1. Not surprisingly, as Hayes explains, self-censors are more likely to be "more apprehensive about communication." Are we writing as well as we could be, if we are constantly censoring ourselves?  Maybe we are limiting our voices by not digging deep enough, by not bringing every emotion and opinion to the page, by not freeing ourselves. Maybe the fear that people won't agree with us, or that they won't like what our characters do or say, keeps us from writing at all.

2. Self-censors also "fear negative evaluation to a greater extent" as compared to those less willing to self-censor. So not only does self-censorship negatively impact the ability to write honestly and deeply, but it also impairs the self-censor's ability to withstand critique. So perhaps, writing more honestly will help free us from our fear of other people's criticism.


But what do you think? As a writer--are you writing as openly (less willing to self-censor) as you could be?  As a reader--do you appreciate openness and rawness on the part of the writer?





4 Comments
Jim
12/6/2012 11:29:54 am

Great question. Do you think that this concept is what is meant when people are described as 'not having a filter'? I don't think self-censorship is necessarily a bad thing. :-)

Reply
Susie Calkins link
12/6/2012 12:21:46 pm

Jim, maybe (and again, that might be helpful for writers). I don't know if emotionally driven writing is necessarily "better" than less emotional writing--but it may not be as authentic or raw. Again--not everyone wants to be raw when they write--it may be the type of writing.

Reply
Fiona
12/10/2012 12:24:29 pm

Really interesting. I'm someone who finds feedback and evaluation to be extremely difficult. I suppose that is probably one of the harder things for an author--taking a personal journey of writing and then sharing it with the world.

Reply
Susie Calkins link
12/10/2012 02:39:27 pm

Fiona, I think that's true. However, every day I feel privileged to do what I'm doing, and so if I feel a little uncomfortable from time to time, its totally worth it!

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    Susanna Calkins

    Historian. Mystery writer. Researcher. Teacher.  Occasional blogger.

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  • Home
  • Lucy Campion Mysteries
    • A Murder at Rosamund's Gate
    • From the Charred Remains
    • The Masque of a Murderer
    • A Death Along the River Fleet
    • The Sign of the Gallows
    • The Cry of the Hangman
    • Death Among the Ruins
  • The Speakeasy Murders
    • Murder Knocks Twice
    • The Fate of a Flapper
  • Short Stories
  • Blog
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    • Event Photos
    • Archived Guest Posts & Interviews
  • The Roaring Twenties
  • 17th c. England
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