ARE YOU RELUCTANT TO EXPRESS YOURSELF IN PUBLIC OR IN BOOKS THAT THE PUBLIC WILL READ?

 

Voltaire is wrongly attributed to have said:

"I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it."

That sentence is found in THE FRIENDS OF VOLTAIRE.  

Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote the book under the pseudonym S[tephen] G. Tallentyre,

Oh, do any of you use pseudonyms?  

As a mask of protection or for something else entirely?

https://www.amazon.com/Stars-Bleed-At-Midnight/dp/B09NRKWZTZ/

I once had my Texas Ranger protagonist use "Oriental" for a people and a locale in my 1895 historical fantasy

and received a tart email saying "Asian" was the proper term now. 

I replied that I was writing through the eyes of a 1895 lawman who had never been accused of being proper.

Do you hesitate to write about certain topics or use certain types of characters: trans, gay, racial minority, political party member 

for fear of possible backlash?

(Sold for $46 million at auction in 2013)

Every 6 weeks or so I treat myself to an expensive kind of meal. 

So today, I went to a restaurant recommended to me.

After surviving two hurricanes, a freeze, and a tornado last year and my wipers dying as I drove on the interstate in blinding rains yesterday, 

I felt it was only right to say "Thanks" over my meal.

Silent, of course in these touchy times, but with head bowed, eyes closed, and hands clasped.

I was startled by a rough hand on my shoulder shaking me hard.

I looked up. 

A very sharply dressed businessman. "That's offensive, and you know that!"

I sighed, "I know I obviously offended you."

"That's right."

"Then, look the other way."

The businessman gestured to a man in a tie coming out from the back. "This man is engaging in offensive behavior!"

The man looked like he was having a very hard bowel movement, obviously knew the businessman, and wanted to keep him happy.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to leave."

"I just got my meal."

"That was not a request."

I sighed, got up, and left my waitress a tip. There was no point that she got punished along with me. She hadn't prayed ...

although with such a boss she might have stood in need of it.

SO, HOW WAS YOUR DAY?