Christian Author
Donna Dawson

It amazes me how such a smart dog can have so great a flaw as gossip but Duke the Chihuahua seems to be overwhelmed with the desire to expound on details of peoples' lives that are really none of his concern.  (He has just queried me as to whether my blog posting would be considered gossip since his affairs have nothing whatsoever to do with me and my cronies.  I have informed him that she who holds the keys to the feed bin has the right to comment upon the folly of her underlings.  I have also just come dangerously close to a well-deserved gumming about the ankles.)  I understand that he, his sister Amelia, Pugsley and his sister Molly have had an online bridge game going for quite some time.  And each week as the foursome gather online, the chat is rife with the misdeeds and misadventures of those around them.  Quite simply, they have become addicted to gossiping about their pet people (Duke gets quite incensed when I refer to him as 'Ed's pet dog' but doesn't seem to have an issue with referring to Ed as his 'pet human'.  Go figure!)  And how, you may ponder, does gossip tie in to writing?  Quite thoroughly, actually.

Writing is an expression of one's self.  Our beliefs.  Our views.  Our thoughts all pour out onto paper or blog and become fair game for public display.  Knowing that, it is our responsibilities as writers to make certain that we are telling complete truth--even in fiction.  For example:  If I were to write an article about animal cruelty and declare that it is extremely vicious to keep Duke in the house because he is a dog and dogs are meant to run free, and I were to incite people to rise up and rescue poor Duke, I would be spreading gossip and misinformation--and maybe even committing the act of libelling Duke's pet human.  (Duke's bug eyes have just gotten buggier with, what I can only guess as, horror at the thought of being turned out onto the streets.) 

However, if I were to say that Duke, while being quite content to curl up on his cusion on the back of the couch, wasn't permitted to go outside at all and was expected to cross his little spindly legs to prevent accidents in the house, and I had a veterinarian who was willing to go on record to say he had witnessed this indecent act, then I would have every right to report it so long as the offender (dear sweet Ed?  No way!) had been proven guilty and convicted and was in jail for the misdeed.  (Duke has just scrambled to the door and is staring outside with a look of panic on his bewiskered muzzle.  Don't worry Duke.  It is just hypothetical.) 

In the same way, if we are writing fiction and our main character is suspiciously like our neighbour who (pox on him) hates Duke the Chihuahua and would like nothing better than to see him stuffed and posed on a shelf in his game room, we are still gossiping and edging very close to libel again.  (By the way, Duke does NOT have a neighbour like that.  He is adored by all his human acquaintances.  The cats aren't exactly cozying up to him though and might be a wee bit delighted at the above mentioned scenario.)

When we write, we must always do our homework and we must leave our grudges at the office door.  It allows us to be professional and to write unbiased work.  (Yes, Duke, perhaps you should consider setting the example for your bridge buddies.  And when you are online with Pugsley again, send him my condolensces on the bone choking incident.  Perhaps a hint that he should eat a bit slower might be of benefit.)