Yesterday, I alerted my network about a guest essay I wrote for a blog called Daily Signs of Hope. I didn’t add that it contained a Christian world view, and not just the occasional shout out to God. No, this one detailed some of my faith beliefs, so I’ve thought about the readers who dutifully trotted over the see what I’d written. If any was not interested or turned-off by blatant Christian content, I’ve yet to hear. But it got me thinking. And asking a lot of questions.
Writing Tip for Today: When you are involved in a writer’s group, how easy of difficult is it to ignore the underlying world view?

• It’s easy to reject out of hand a subject like religion, sex or politics. After all, America has many faiths, many political beliefs. But what about subjects most consider inappropriate or even evil? If a writer brings in porn, violence or even profanity that’s gratuitous (that is, not integral to the character & story), what should you as critiquer, do? Excuse yourself? Try to focus on sentence structure and flow? Should you tell the writer you disagree with the content?
• If you come across great writing that is diametrically opposed to your own views, how much does your disagreement enter into the critique? Or do you try to ensure that you only critique with members of the choir to prevent these kinds of disagreements?
• Do you think insulating oneself against offensive or other content helps or harms you in your writing life?
• Is it possible to review or critique great writing without regard to the content? What about so-so writing? Mein Kamp is a classic even though it’s filled with nutty ideas and a lot of ego.

These are only a few of the questions that arise when you join a group with a lot of different ideals, morals and creeds. I’d love to hear your take.