Empowered Voices: Celebrating Loud, Opinionated Women
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Being Opinionated
For many years, I struggled to finish my debut novel. After attempting to query literary agents, I ultimately chose to self-publish. Along the way, I connected with numerous authors who imparted a common piece of wisdom: I should prioritize making my work exceptional and refrain from sharing my personal opinions, particularly those that could stir controversy.
Their reasoning was simple: my primary role was to market my books, not to create conflict. They warned that voicing my thoughts on sensitive topics like politics would only drive readers away.
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Section 1.1: Suppressing My Voice
In an effort to fit in, I muted my own opinions. I surrounded myself with readers and friends who held views starkly different from mine. At the time, I was just beginning to distance myself from my parents' beliefs, and I felt unsure of my own identity. Each day brought new uncertainties about my views, making me reluctant to share them.
I was concerned about alienating others and hesitant to reveal aspects of my identity, such as my bisexuality or my support for same-sex marriage.
Section 1.2: A Turning Point with Trump
This silence persisted until the election of Donald Trump. I remained quiet for as long as I could, but I watched as friends and family adopted increasingly extreme views. Their remarks, filled with nationalism and hatred, frightened me. I could no longer contain my thoughts, feeling betrayed by those around me and by the broader direction of our country.
Slowly, I began to voice my opinions about Trump. I started blocking individuals on social media who seemed to blindly follow him and engaged in heated discussions with family. As an author, I began to speak out on various issues.
Chapter 2: The Double Standard for Male Authors
It dawned on me that the pressure to remain silent had stemmed from my identity as a woman. The male authors I interacted with never hesitated to express their thoughts, even before Trump's presidency. They often behaved in ways that were bold and dismissive of how I might react.
One male author, in a fit of irritation, scoured my Facebook posts and commented, "Shut up and make me a sandwich" on each one. He thought nothing of it.
I realized that despite my efforts to be compliant, I wasn’t making any significant earnings as a writer. With no established audience, there was little at stake in voicing my opinions.
Section 2.1: Embracing My Authentic Self
As a result, I decided to unpublish most of my novels and pivot towards non-fiction writing. Having been active on HubPages for years, I began contributing more articles there. Eventually, I discovered Medium, and with a new pen name, I aimed to reinvent myself. I finally allowed my repressed opinions to flow freely.
Over the past year on Medium, I have earned more than in all my previous writing years combined. Those who advised me to stay silent were mistaken. Rejecting the notion of being ladylike and instead embracing my opinions has transformed my life.
Section 2.2: The Importance of Speaking Up
Women often face societal pressures to be submissive, as it makes them easier to control. However, since I’ve started being forthright about my views, I’ve gained better friendships and increased financial success.
It's crucial not to let others stifle your voice. I still grapple with some anxiety about expressing my opinions daily, which I recognize as internalized misogyny. A man wouldn’t hesitate to be outspoken, so why should I?
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