Defining an audience
I’ve been thinking a lot about defining my audience lately. All thirty-or-so of you. I’ve been thinking about defining my audience for one reason, and one reason only: so that I can feed you an overwhelming stream of ads and make hundreds of millions of dollars.
Seriously though, I’m trying to define an audience because I read somewhere that wannabe writers write for themselves, while true writers write to give something to their audience. It rang true for me, but I’m not sure where to go with it.
I know that my goal in writing fiction is to write stories that reflect truth. I guess I’m trying to figure out how that applies to this blog. In fiction, it’s easy: I want to reflect that good is good, even when it’s hard, that bad is bad, even when it’s easy, and that there are consequences to both. A little overly cerebral, perhaps, but still, fairly straight forward.
Currently, this blog is nothing but an attempt to share my thoughts. The problem is coming up with a value proposition for it… that is, what’s in it for you? I can tell what’s in it for me. You read me, you like me, you help me get better at writing, one day, hopefully, you buy a book I write. What’s in it for you though? My ramblings are not so exciting or brilliant as to be worthwhile in and of themselves.
So, I guess what I’m telling you is, I’m trying to come up with a reason to come back everyday, too. Maybe I can make my ramblings into a focused, valuable resource. I’ll give it my best. I’ll try to make it worth something for you.
I think you have a unique perspective on the confluence of art, business, community, and faith. Specifically I think you bring a lot of knowledge from the world of publishing.
Also, you have a lot of wisdom of the Proverbs-good decisions kind. This should be balanced with Gospel so you don’t promote a feckless Moralism. But wisdom is worth a lot, and you have a lot to offer.
Also, tips for writers.
I simply enjoy the way you put words together making sometimes complicated ideas easy to follow. As you know I am not into most of the music, nor too many of the books you cite. On the other hand, I enjoy the way you express yourself even in those areas. The principle enjoyment I get is the wisdom above your years that is apparent even in your unasuming, sometimes self-debasing style. Makes me glad to have you guiding my favourite daughter’s life. On top of that, you are there everyday AND I like hockey too!
I enjoy getting a little slice of you every day – and I get grumpy when you choose to take Saturday off. I have learned some things I didn’t know, and thought about some things differently as a result of your posts.
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I wish I had seen S.D. Smith on Sunday so that I could have talked to him about feckless moralism
Aunt Debo
Thanks for the kind comments… You’ve helped me to think through what I ought to be reading and writing–a little more focus, perhaps.