When I published my book of poetry and prose from the soul, I considered that some of the passages would be offensive or questionable, especially to my Southern, Christian family members. However, I realized, I had to publish those parts because my story, wouldn’t be true, and it wouldn’t be MY story without them. It got me thinking about censorship in writing, not only because of the reaction family will have to it, but also the public. Should writers still be censoring their books in 2020?

Books are often challenged by concerned parents and family members who desire to protect their children from the themes or content within books. Books can be banned for more than one reason as well. As of the ten years preceding 2016, the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom were:

1. The material was considered to be “sexually explicit”.

2. The material contained “offensive language”.

3. The material was “unsuited to any age group”.

 "About Banned & Challenged Books | Banned & Challenged Books". www.ala.org. (Originally found on Wikipedia.org in the article, “Book Censorship in the United States”)

Family Offense

There are often two reasons a writer may chose to censor their work and the first is to avoid offending their loved ones. This might be because their writing touches on or completely exposes a subject the family member is involved in, someone they know, or because the writing paints them in a bad light. Writers should never defame others in their work, but the truth is important to many personal stories. Another reason it may be offensive to family members is if it explores topics or contains subject matter that goes against family values such as sexuality, profanity, and more. While these themes can be controversial in a family setting, they’re most often called out in the public sphere.

Public Offense

Another reason a writer might chose to censor his or her writing is to avoid offending the public. They might do so to avoid public outcry regarding their book and its content and to avoid being banned. Books are still being banned today and even books that have been banned multiple times, in multiple places, are still challenged even in 2019, such as Harper Lee’s to Kill A Mockingbird, or George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

While book banning is a heated and controversial topic among publishers, consumers, and parents, it is important as writer, to consider what is most important: telling your story in the most honest way or preserving someone’s feelings. Should writers censor their work? What will friends and family think of the writing?

Repercussions of Censorship

There are many reasons we censor books, but I think the repercussions far outweigh our reasoning for the censorship to begin with. For one, we are stifling the creativity of writers. A writer should not live in fear that their novel could be taken off shelves because of its subject matter, but they should know that they can’t please everyone and some subject matter does warrant delicacy and grace when addressing it. Another reason we shouldn’t censor out  books is because it forces current and future societies to have an inaccurate portrayal of society, issues, politics, trends, and controversies. Imagine if we didn’t have Huckleberry Finn, To Kill A Mockingbird or the Awakening. These are just a few of the most often challenged books of all time and they offer important recounts of what life was like when they were written. Without them, we’d be left without not only some of the greatest American writing, but some important truths and telling portrayals of time during these writings. We must uphold honesty over preservation of feelings if we want to accurately represent society.

When I published my book, I feared I get some criticism for certain poems and passages of prose, but to my surprise the most commentary I got was, “there are so many mushy love poems in here” or something to that effect from my friend Bryan. As a journalist, it was important me to accurately and respectfully recount all the facts. As a writer, it means the world to me that my story is told the way I experience it and that is with all of the pieces to the puzzle. Of course, sensitive topics should be handled with grace and care, but I don’t think hard conversations should be omitted entirely. I think writers should reckon with whether or not honesty is important to their story. 

But won’t the truth hurt your loved ones? What if you changed the names—would it be difficult for family members to read?

Of course, but you must tell the truth despite this. Yes, you should use discretion here. Disrespecting someone, even people you aren’t in contact with, in your writing can hurt people. I’m not telling you to hurt your family or friends in your memoir for the sake of truth. But I think the honesty is important, especially in personal recounts. I’m not telling you to forget about what others think, entirely. We should be completely aware of the potential repercussions of our words. I think we should be equally aware of the repercussions of stifling the creativity of writers. Censorship is living in the dark. It’s time to write without fear—to write honestly, boldly.

Honest Writing Versus Censorship

So, how can you be an honest writer? I believe the following method can help you to pour out your soul whilst attempting (whether successfully or not) to prevent any family disagreements

1. First, rite the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Bleed onto the page, pour out your soul, and write with gleeful abandon. This is your story and you should tell it the way it was meant to be told, so don’t hold back.

2. Next, let your writing be alone with itself for a while. Give it a break and reflect in the meantime.

3. Finally, when you return to your manuscript with new eyes, gently edit it. I’m not saying to cut out offensive parts or chop it up. When you’ve revisited the manuscript after a break, you might see the value of the truth and you can better judge whether or not some parts warrant editing when you’ve had some time away from the piece and the pain. Editing sensitive sections shouldn’t be an emotional process; it should be delicate but surgical—what is absolutely necessary and is there any way to reword it so that it doesn’t ruin someone’s life? But when editing, make sure to consider this: If I delete or reword this, am I still telling the truth? Does it hold the same meaning once edited?

Censorship in writing is still a controversial topic, but I think the more we talk about the repercussions of it—stifling creativity, hiding the truth, and living in the dark—we realize how important it is to be truthful in our writing. As the years have passed, I’ve noticed a lax in censorship in movies, TV shows, and music, so I feel books are not far behind. Of course children’s books will be closely scrutinized, but I think middle grade, young adult, and adult novels will slowly but surely decrease in censorship.

“There’s just some magic in truth and honesty and openness.” —Frank Ocean

Take from the blog post what you will but know that you can either bottle up the truth forever, or you can outpour your soul on the page and heal and grow from the honesty. It’s your story, so tell it how it is meant to be told. Telling an incomplete, halfhearted, or dishonest story is almost like not telling it at all.

 "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." —Maya Angelou

I asked—then you asked, and I answered

What are your thoughts on censorship in novels?

You mean like starring out curse/crude words? My opinion is that it's not the best idea. If the word is extremely offensive (N****r or c**t, especially if used in a derogatory manner, for example) then it might be better to substitute for something that's still offensive but not as inflammatory for readers. Otherwise, if it's for an adult audience, use the word. They're adults and can handle it. If it's for a younger audience, then censorship isn't going to make it better, and/or will probably break immersion in the story. Take it out or use something that's not as offensive, like coming up with a unique curse word/phrase that fits the setting. —Lydia Deyes from the Developmental Editors Facebook Group

My response: I am referring to omitting swear words, controversial topics or subjects that might upset friends and family. I agree with what you said about leaving out swear words but what do you think about the other two.

Controversial topics/subjects I think would depend since they're on a spectrum. If it wouldn't offend the *average* person then I wouldn't worry at all. There's plenty of books out there that contain content that *would* offend the average person. If you're going for traditional publishing, you should look into the places you'll be applying to because they may have standards that would prevent your book from being accepted. There's restrictions on what's appropriate for younger audiences up through new adult, but if it's for adult and you're self-publishing, I don't think I can make a blanket statement that would say yes or no. It's important to get messages out about things like rape and mental health, for example. Kite Runner is a classic I had to read in high school that included both rape and suicide. —Lydia Deyes from the Developmental Editors Facebook Group

My thoughts are don't do it. Write the book the way you mean for it to be written. If you hold back, your readers can tell. On the other end, don't add sex, violence or crude words simply because you think your readers expect it. -Gina Salamon from the Developmental Editors Facebook Group

And that’s it for my hot take on censorship in novels in 2020! What do you think about censoring novels? Let me know in the comments below!

—Payton