Writing But Not Getting Enough Responses? Try Controversy.

“I don’t see how you can write anything of value if you don’t offend someone.”― Marvin Harris

I like to write “safe” stories, but I love to write about a controversy. Controversial topics make me think. They force me to look at two sides of an issue. And they drive me into playing the “what if” game.

“What if I were black? How would I feel about the BLM movement?”

“What if I were a woman? How would I feel about Roe v Wade being overturned?”

“What if I were a police officer? How would I feel about defunding the police?”

The stronger the emotion, the greater the reaction.

So if you want your articles to get a lot of response, you need to dive headfirst into controversy.

The risk of writing about controversial topics

Our brains are hard-wired to seek safety and avoid risk. So it inclines us to write “safe” articles and avoid stories that could bring confrontation.

When I think of safe topics, the first thing that comes to mind is recipes. Everyone loves to try something new to eat, so it is a safe topic. The worse response is from someone who didn’t like it.

But when thinking about risky topics, I think of politics, religion, and current events. If I write a critical article about Black Lives Matter, for example, I before writing one word that people are going to react with harsh comments.

“If you have to say or do something controversial, aim so that people will hate that they love it and not love that they hate it.” ― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Controversial topics will come from three groups of people: One group will love it because they believe in it. One group will hate it because it goes against their beliefs. And both groups, whether they hate it or love it, will share it.

If you are sensitive to criticism don’t write about controversial topics

“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” ― Elbert Hubbard, Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great Vol. 3: American Statesmen

When I was a salesman, I had customers who weren’t shy about calling and complaining. They had telephone courage. But when I met them face-to-face, they were cordial and friendly. I had the same experience with email or voicemail. People feel more comfortable being critical when they are at a safe distance.

So publishing controversial articles is risky. First, even though you’ve thought the topic through and done your research, you may be wrong. And people won’t hesitate to let you know where you’ve gone off the rails. And second, no matter how much you’ve thought about the topic and researched it, people will disagree with your conclusions. Third, some people are intolerant of any opposing view.

No matter the reason for the response, controversial topics will draw out people who will be critical of your writing by making negative comments.

In my experience, most critics come in 3 types:

• They want to appear smarter than you.
• They want to silence you.
• They want to negate what you’ve written.

If you are sensitive to negative comments but want to write about a controversy, start out with minor topics and build up your resistance to criticism. Once you’ve developed a thicker skin, and you will, you can launch into the big controversial topics.

Know the controversy inside and out

You must know your audience and topic. I’ve read many controversial articles where the authors were wrong. Either they didn’t understand their audience or they didn’t know their topic. Worse, they sometimes missed on both counts. They may make excellent and convincing points, but they filled their stories with unfounded claims and no documented support. This emotional writing allows the writer to vent, but it isn’t helpful to their readers.

I read a lot of articles because I want a summary of the issues. The topic may not be important enough for me to make dig into it myself. But I want the information. So I depend upon the author to research the topic thoroughly before writing.

And when I find the author wrote from emotion without facts, I no longer trust that writer.

Keep in mind that facts won’t silence critics, but they will make people think twice before responding. And to answer a critical comment, you need to have your facts straight.

Don’t write about controversy just to be controversial

There are many controversies in America. As I write this article, there is a presidential election that has divided the nation. There are racial issues that are splitting cities. And a politicized pandemic is polarizing neighbors.

In watching the news, I see overwrought people who are rioting, hurting people, and burning down buildings. They scream in police officers' faces. I’m not commenting on whether I agree. That isn’t my purpose. But I am stunned by how many people, when questioned, don’t have a good reason for being involved. I’ve watched people say, “I’m here to support the cause.” But when asked about the cause, they mumble or swear or threaten but ultimately walk away. They are there to be controversial without being informed about the controversy.

I’ve also seen people who can’t answer why they dislike people running for the presidency, or why they don’t like a supreme court nominee.

Writing about events is important. I want to know what people are thinking. It's important to understand the various causes. But writing to inflame passion without knowing the facts doesn’t help.

I want writers to explore controversial issues. Then I want them to explain to their readers the issues in a way that everyone can understand.

Not everyone will agree with a writer’s conclusions. But understanding the issues is the beginning of making things better.

Be honest when writing about a controversy

Stirring up people just to get a bunch of responses is cheating. And it’s unfair to readers.

My number one goal when writing is telling the truth. If that causes controversy, it’s fine. But I never write intending to rile people up for no other reason than that my story will go viral.

Let your writing inspire people to think through controversial issues. And if your readers disagree with you, learn from their disagreement. Your future writing will benefit and you may change your mind.

I began this article by saying I like to write safe stories. They’re easy to write, and people will usually make friendly comments. And I’ll make a dollar or two.

But it’s more fulfilling to write about challenges that we as a people, a nation, or a world are facing.

And if people disagree reasonably, everyone can benefit.

If you aren’t getting the responses to your writing that you want, look at your topics. Are you writing safe softball articles or are you writing about tough hardball topics? If your stories aren’t confronting issues that make people emotional then choose more hard-hitting topics.

But always stay honest to yourself and write what you perceive as true.

People will appreciate your honesty, and they will respond.