Photo courtesy of Peter Griffin
Well, we all talk about “writer’s platforms” and such-like, amassing “followers” and utilizing social media in order to tell people about us and what we do. Ultimately, however, the goal is to sell our product, whether it is fiction, non-fiction, print, electronic…well, you get the idea. Not saying that’s the main motivation or the only motivation, but let’s be honest here — we all want to make a living from what we love to do. There’s no shame in that, no blame in the game.
But what I do want to talk about is sometimes when we set ourselves up as “experts” or “gurus” (I know, I hate that word too) sometimes we forget we’re just like everyone else out there — trying to wrangle a living and we don’t know everything. I read a lot of blogs, and I’ve seen people become so impressed with themselves they can’t take constructive criticism, they get very defensive when someone disagrees with their viewpoint, instead of embracing the concept of intelligent discourse. Instead of keeping an open mind and taking a step back, right away it’s a flame war, sometimes subtle and sometimes right in the face. It distresses me, and those blogs are ones I do not return to read. Who needs that crap?
Words are so powerful. I think as writers working with them every day, we lose sight of that fact. We lose sight of the fact these are not merely words on a page, but there are people behind those words. People with feelings, people who have opinions that are valid, people who are different with different viewpoints that deserve to be heard. If all you want are people who agree with every pearl of wisdom that drops from your lips, more power to you, but you’re missing out. And you’ve lost a reader, because I was never one to refrain from speaking my mind if the situation warrants. However, I have learned to walk away and not to sow pearls before swine, so-to-speak.
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It has been 202 years since the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, bless his twisted and demented heart. Unfortunately, the “toaster” who has for the last 60 years left roses and cognac on the grave, has been absent for the second year in a row. I suppose one could speculate about the reason for the absence — which sounds like a good prompt for a story. Hmmm.
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And just because I think we all need a reminder (and it applies to everyone, not just “Big Girls”):
But I AM an expert, and I’m always right. Heh.
Yeah, you make a good point. The best thing one can do is to share their particular perspective with the titanic caveat that what works for one writer might not work for someone else. It’s easy to see what’s working for you and assume that it should apply to everyone; not so. There is no right way. There are only a lot of right ways and a few right ways that are temporarily derailed. Learning the business of writing is very much akin to learning how to write; it can be learned, but it most certainly cannot be taught. If one approaches their assistance to others with that truism firmly in mind we’d all be a lot better off. Put out good information, let the reader take what they are ready to assimilate and leave the rest. I’m still learning from my attendance at Clarion West back in 1995. Some advice I received back then is only now starting to make sense.
We learn when we’re ready to learn. Arguing with someone who isn’t ready to learn is a fool’s errand. It pisses them off and frustrates you. Listen to what they have to say but be careful, you might learn something from them.
If, that is, you’re ready to.
You are, and you are. But I have never seen you throw a hissy fit because someone simply disagrees with your POV. Plus, you have the chops to back up what you say. Some people are in the business of dispensing “advice” when they haven’t accomplished much of anything, so I totally question their claim they are an “expert” on their chosen topic. Especially writing.
I read too many blogs. I should probably stop that. Heh.