I am a woman of very strong opinions. I have an opinion on everything, from the economy (it could easily be fixed if everyone wasn’t so damn concerned with lining their own pockets) to politics (Lord save us) to celebrity gossip (I love Brangelina and think Jennifer Aniston is a crappy actress), and I don’t have a problem expressing them. It should come as no surprise then, that I have very strong opinions about things that go on in Romanceland. Whether it be about a book that sucked (or didn’t) or an author who acted like a jackass (or didn’t) or a blogger who got too big for her britches (or didn’t), I pretty much always have something to say about it.
Back when Rowena and I decided to break away from SF and start Book Binge, we discussed where we wanted the blog to go – what kind of blog we really wanted it to be. Someone told me once that they like visiting us here because it feels like a bunch of friends sitting down and discussing books. That’s exactly what we wanted for the site. We wanted this to be a relatively drama free place where we could talk about books, publishing news and the like where everyone was welcome. I think we’ve succeeded in that.
Does that mean we don’t have opinions about stuff? snort
But we choose not to bring our opinions/issues/etc to the blog. Well, for the most part. Sometimes we lose our cool and rant and rave about this or that on the blog. Seriously, stupid people piss us off and there are times we can’t help but tell all of you about it.
Most of the time I just email Casee or Rowena about it. Or ping Sybil. Or call MM (my DH) and rant to him about it (he loves that, btw, in case you were wondering eg), because I don’t want even one of our readers to feel like s/he isn’t welcome here, or this isn’t a place where they can be comfortable.
So we censor ourselves. We have no desire to become a snark blog, or to write “mean” reviews full time. We refuse to compromise ourselves and the things we stand for just to bring traffic to this site. We aren’t going to start picking on authors or floating around to other popular sites and engaging in online debates and flame wars because we want to feel special. We let other sites take care of that.
That does not mean, however, that we will not voice our opinions on subjects, write reviews for books we didn’t enjoy (or just flat out hated), or post about people acting like morons. That’s the beauty of having our own site. It is ours, and therefore we can do and say what we want on it. If you don’t like that, you’re more than welcome to go elsewhere. I currently subscribe to more than 150 romance related and/or review blogs in my Google Reader. I’m sure, if you look hard enough, you can find one that suits you better than this one does.
But just so you know, when we do choose to say something: We will be honest. Always. No matter what the subject, whether it be about a book (either purchased or given), a romance related topic, or just about life in general, we will tell you the truth. I wish I could express to you how serious about this we are, but I just don’t know how to get it through to you. Whether good or bad, we will not shy away from the truth for any reason. And we always stand by our words. We said them, we own them. We also stand behind each other. Wena said it? We all own it.
Anyway, the point is, sometimes I think silence is the way to go. We won’t ever compromise our integrity or our beliefs or our point of view to gain traffic, or to stir up drama. Sometimes we’ll feel the need to vent, or rant, or rave, but in the end that’s not what we’re about.
You? Strong opinions?? Really? I would have never guessed. 🙂
Shocking, isn’t it?
It just doesn’t fit with your personality 🙂
That’s because I am all that is sweetness and light. 😀
Long time reader pops out to say – I always appreciate the book reviews here and I sorta knew from reading them here that you were being more than honest in your reviews. It’s nice that you took the time to confirm my impression that you weren’t pulling any punches…but I would’ve stopped reading a while back if I even thought that was so.
My, I’m feeling quite chatty today..this is my 3rd post to a blog and that is way over my quota for 2008.
Hi Peg!
Thanks so much for de-lurking today. It really means a lot that you did.
Now that you’ve come out of the closet (so to speak) it should be easy for you to continue to comment, right? ;0)
I had no idea you were opinionated! *gasp* I’m unobservant like that. *hangs head in shame*
Why else would people visit a blog, if not to get the blogger’s opinion, wonders me?
😉
PS: “all that is sweetness and light”?? I’m glad I had already finished drinking my Coke. (((Holly)))
I’m so comfortable here that you guys would have to ask me to leave. And I so love when you guys break out the can of whoop ass!
I have opinions too but I mostly just stare at the computer screen and mutter *that is one bat shit crazy person*. For the most part I have to ignore the stupid people or my head will explode. Seriously. I let petty stuff go, life’s too short, but you get into human rights and life and death and I about keel over when people say stupid shit. Poor Bob has been on the receiving end of rants on that kind of stuff.
And that’s about the depth of me 😉
And you know, it’s nice to come to a place and be part of a discussion and not have someone go ‘stalker’ on ya.
CindyS
Opinionated? 0_0
Holly?
Well, now, that’s a shock.
😀
Hmm, I’m getting the impression here that I didn’t have to tell you all that I was opinionated. *grumbles* I’m not that bad. Jeez.
Sweetness and Light, I tell you. All that is Sweetness and Light.
Cindy,
I love that you said that! And I so love it when you start ranting and raving and opening your own can of whoop ass.
HUGS!
Great post. And it’s why I love you gals so much
What brought this on? Did I miss something while I’ve been attempting to earn my keep at work?
mph
I love it here and am very glad that you all tell it like it is. I wouldn’t want it any other way! 🙂
mph,
This was more a reminder of what we’re about, mostly for ourselves, because there have been some things lately that I’ve wanted to comment on, but chose not to.
I just thought it was good to put it out here, just in case there was any doubt. 🙂
*chuckle* Doubts? Never.
Just as I thought – this post was a fair warning to anonymous offender(s).
Shoot – hope I’m not one of them.
*laying low*
mph
Never you, Sugar Plum….Shoot, we’re still determined to bring you over to the dark side. 😉