AUDIENCE OF ONE
Friday Mar. 15, 2019
What kind of writer are you?
I am often asked this question – sometimes be people who really want to know, sometimes as a way of moving a conversation along. But it bugs me sometimes that I don’t have a short simple sweet pure answer I can blurt out any time to any audience to describe “this is the kind of writer I am”.
I find out. Every day. True, I write columns, articles, short stories, poetry and business communication in many forms – I’m telling stories, making a point, advancing a conversation in pursuit of some result, decision or closing some deal …
Essayist is a word I like. When I’m long gone, hopefully some of my writing remains – I’d like the description to call me one of those. More like 16th century essayist Michel de Montaigne (father of Modern Skepticism), less like 17th century diarist Samuel Pepys. I’ve been compared to Pepys by well-meaning folk because of his style resembling the style/nature of my daily columns. I read somewhere that Pepys wrote about Montaigne – perhaps like me, envious of that clear voice, but more likely that he yearned to be read and celebrated long after he was gone. Like Cervantes – we, meaning Montaigne, Pepys and me …
Imagination bogles at the notion of writing some piece today which might impress anyone let alone many, but to have one’s words preserved, read and celebrated centuries later. Well, that kind of immortality is ever writer’s dream.
But writing every day is not for the masses or posterity – it is for an audience of one. Two actually if I include myself. But there is almost always someone I’m writing to, or for, or about. That person is my audience – customer if you will, for my work. Perhaps I should expand so I can sell more copies of a book one day. That’s just distribution. Or voyeurism.
I write to, for or about someone – anyone can listen in …
Reader feedback:
TORTOISE vs. HARE
Hey Mark, hope all is well, not sure how many years I’ve been receiving Mark Musing…..like 13 or 14? Tortoise and Hare really caught my eye as I wind down and look forward to retirement (April 2020). I see life after ending 46 years of work taking up the majority of my day (and energy) as a decision between ‘I’m nearly done’ time, or an ‘I’ve just begun time’. Trying to prepare my state of mind to be the latter. Thanks for the great words to ponder, TK, Edmonton, AB
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
None Unfortunately I cannot agree that the world is smarter than ever. Too many leaders in all categories are in it for themselves not their public. LH – Lethbridge, AB
NO STRESS TEST
lol :) The million dollar question, isn't it?. It is emotional, it is passionate, it is uncomfortable; why live any other way? People who love you must always love you exactly the way you feel :), AG, Cancun, Mexico
