lifestyle

Why write?

The world is full of books, papers, journals and now, web sites. 

Q. What sort of a fool would say that we need more? 

A. The sort of fool who is sick of seeing the same copy-cat writing produced over and over again.  Can’t we do better than that?

The trap is that we believe that there is a direct relationship between what people want to read and what is currently being written.  There is a certain kind of twisted logic out there that tells us that because there are countless dollar formula paperbacks in print, that the world needs more dollar formula paper backs.  So writers set to work, and write some more. 

This is the Production Proves Demand paradigm.  It is all back to front.  The popularity hasn’t driven the production.  The production has created the demand.  The simple fact that formula paper backs are available everywhere for such ridiculously cheap prices, creates the desire to buy and read (to consume) them.

Is this the best way? 

Your other choice is to first work out where you have a unique perspective - what do you know.  When you have found what you know, then find out who wants to hear about it, how they want to hear about it and then set to work. 

Your unique perspective is a powerful thing.  You may see one aspect of the world in a way that has never been explored before.  Even something as mundane as your own personal hobbies or relationships can, if written carefully and thoughtfully, help others.

The best news about this is that there has never been a better time in history to be writing.  We have never been more connected as a species than we are today.  You can write for a worldwide audience no matter how small, and instantly climb into their consciousness via the internet.  While previously, your specialisation would have left you standing alone, today it is possible to link up with others in similar situations and share whatever you have learnt.

You may not write for a big audience, but if you write a careful and authoritative article about the breeding habits of caterpillars that are eating your lettuces then someone somewhere will value your work.  You can contribute to the pool of knowledge that is floating around the world and others will be able to put your work to the test.

The first stage in this process is in finding what you have to share with the world.  This is where blogging has developed from self conscious obsession towards genuine communication.  

A blog was a place where people would write simply because they liked the sound of their own words.  Times are changing.  Quickly we realised that blogs like this are never read and they only benefit the writer.  There is nothing wrong with this, if it is all you are after.  However if you want to share what you know, then the first step is to consider everything that you know and then subtract everything that is already been thoroughly written about. 

For example, I know a lot about long distance running and marathoning.  My first blog is still online (though rather dusty and neglected) at www.runningmonkeys.com.  I enjoyed writing it because I loved to write about my running.  After about 6 months I realised that out of everything that I had written only about 10 articles were actually unique, and I could see very few new unique articles in my future.  The problem was that I was simply writing about a fairly conventional, racing runner’s life.  The readers that I hoped to attract already knew what I had to say.  I had very little to write that was actually new to the world.  10 articles padded out with 100 others doesn’t make for compelling reading.  I decided to stop writing on runningmonkeys and focus on an area where I had a unique voice.

My second example is www.NoodlesandRice.com.  This is a blog that I took on because I wanted to share with the world what it is like to live with Japanese food.  I decided that the vast majority of Japanese food was being ignored by the world and that there would be real value in describing it, writing up recipes and making it more accessible to as many people as desired it.  Every week I write 6 short posts about Japanese food and I feel satisfied that I am able to share my unique perspective (An Australian House Dad living in Japan) with the world.

Finally my real passion is www.LifeGoalAction.com.  When I became disillusioned with writing about running, I decided that I should find out what I had to share with the world that would make a difference.  I decided that after years of defining and refining my life, I had learned some valuable lessons that were not widely available.  My lifestyle, situations, history and future gave me an uncommon perspective on how to achieve extraordinary things.  As I looked around, I saw some valuable things being written in the personal development sphere.  I found a market that was crowded with any number of different life philosophies and techniques.  I decided that what I had learnt would still be valuable if only I could break through the noise with my unique voice.  That is what is finally happening today.

Once you have found what you want to share with the world, then it is crucial  that you practice your presentation skills.  If you are writing, then this means master your use of words.  Polish up your grammar and your layout skills.  Grapple with vocabulary and practice economy.  Don’t wait until you arrive before you start to publish, but start progressing straight away. 

Then, when you have something to share and are polishing your writing skills, find yourself an audience.  Share what you know and share it well.  The simplest and most effective way that I know is to borrow someone Else’s audience.  This is my slant on guest blogging that I will write about another day.  Find an audience and speak to them.  Then you can communicate with the world.

If you’d like any help with identifying your expertise, putting it into writing or finding an audience then let me know.  I’d love to help if I can.  Otherwise please leave a comment below if you have found a way that helps you write for the world.

Thanks

Tom