And, How One of Those Lives Changed Could Be Your Own… - I recoiled at the arrogance, thinking my writing could change lives. But the alternative is worse...
For me, it's akin to self-marketing -- it feels a little dirty... lol
You and I have had similar discussions in the past. I've never wanted to be the Voice from the Ivory Tower for several reasons, not least of which I don't have the convictions or the credentials.
But there is a middle ground, I think. Simply sharing ideas that we ourselves believe in, for example, can change lives. This sharing doesn't have to be a foisting. And, just as not everyone will pick up what I'm sharing, not every reader's life will be changed.
I'm actually more interested in what this philosophical shift does for the writer rather than the reader. I'm not actively trying to change lives per se. But I am trying harder to connect with the reader. My thought is that it's not about changing lives -- or minds -- as much as it is about engaging readers.
I'm also fairly certain that won't happen every time. But just this little shift in approach has, I feel, improved my writing.
Speaking of changing lives -- I have a photo I need to send you connected to your last post! Hope to get to that later today...
Oh, and I’ve got a follow-up coming on the green buddy, believe it or not. I wish people could submit photos in response to a post—that would enliven many a comments section.
Yes, I sense we probably feel the same. I try to express my ideas as truthfully and interestingly as possible—to be true to my vision—and trust that if I’ve done that well enough, it will connect with someone else. But I can’t know who or how, really, and if I think too much about the reader, it will just distract me. That’s the beautiful alchemy of communication: it takes both a writer and a reader to make meaning.
It feels a little grandiose for my tastes.
I know, right?
For me, it's akin to self-marketing -- it feels a little dirty... lol
You and I have had similar discussions in the past. I've never wanted to be the Voice from the Ivory Tower for several reasons, not least of which I don't have the convictions or the credentials.
But there is a middle ground, I think. Simply sharing ideas that we ourselves believe in, for example, can change lives. This sharing doesn't have to be a foisting. And, just as not everyone will pick up what I'm sharing, not every reader's life will be changed.
I'm actually more interested in what this philosophical shift does for the writer rather than the reader. I'm not actively trying to change lives per se. But I am trying harder to connect with the reader. My thought is that it's not about changing lives -- or minds -- as much as it is about engaging readers.
I'm also fairly certain that won't happen every time. But just this little shift in approach has, I feel, improved my writing.
Speaking of changing lives -- I have a photo I need to send you connected to your last post! Hope to get to that later today...
Oh, and I’ve got a follow-up coming on the green buddy, believe it or not. I wish people could submit photos in response to a post—that would enliven many a comments section.
That would be good. I can, however, post a link to a photo if that helps!
Yes, I sense we probably feel the same. I try to express my ideas as truthfully and interestingly as possible—to be true to my vision—and trust that if I’ve done that well enough, it will connect with someone else. But I can’t know who or how, really, and if I think too much about the reader, it will just distract me. That’s the beautiful alchemy of communication: it takes both a writer and a reader to make meaning.
Exactly!