Hello, Ukraine!
So, I've been looking at where most of the people are who read this blog. Surprisingly, it's not the United States.
Hello, Ukraine!
This has made me think about audiences. When we write, we always think we're writing for those people like us—people who are in the same geographic region, or things of that nature. But when you realize something that goes against all your expectations, it can get a little... mind-blowing.
I didn't ever expect this to happen. I took it for granted that my main audience would be in America, since that's where I live, and—I assumed—where most of my comments would be most accepted. Or acceptable? Hell, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that when we're writing and publishing, we don't pick our audience. Our audience picks us.
Take for example, Murasaki Shikibu, the author of The Tale of Genji. The book is not only 900 years old, but was also written largely to an audience of literate aristocrats that lived in the same geographic area and shared the same values she did. But here we are, 900 years later. I studied it in my Japanese literature class. Would she have ever imagined that? Hell, no! Is it an awesome achievement? Sweet heavens, yes!
So I guess that's my takeaway point this week. You don't choose your audience. The readers that find you and like you are the ones that ... well, find and like you. A writer is a public figure, and there will be some who don't like the style, the genre, or whatnot. But that's not the point. The point is that you have an audience. Whether they speak a different language, have different skin colors or live on a different freaking continent is something that—to me—is exciting beyond all measure.
Dear Ukraine, thanks for wreading. I hope you refer some of your friends!
Everyone else... thanks you for wreading as well. Again, refer your friends!
Jeff
Hello, Ukraine!
This has made me think about audiences. When we write, we always think we're writing for those people like us—people who are in the same geographic region, or things of that nature. But when you realize something that goes against all your expectations, it can get a little... mind-blowing.
I didn't ever expect this to happen. I took it for granted that my main audience would be in America, since that's where I live, and—I assumed—where most of my comments would be most accepted. Or acceptable? Hell, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that when we're writing and publishing, we don't pick our audience. Our audience picks us.
Take for example, Murasaki Shikibu, the author of The Tale of Genji. The book is not only 900 years old, but was also written largely to an audience of literate aristocrats that lived in the same geographic area and shared the same values she did. But here we are, 900 years later. I studied it in my Japanese literature class. Would she have ever imagined that? Hell, no! Is it an awesome achievement? Sweet heavens, yes!
So I guess that's my takeaway point this week. You don't choose your audience. The readers that find you and like you are the ones that ... well, find and like you. A writer is a public figure, and there will be some who don't like the style, the genre, or whatnot. But that's not the point. The point is that you have an audience. Whether they speak a different language, have different skin colors or live on a different freaking continent is something that—to me—is exciting beyond all measure.
Dear Ukraine, thanks for wreading. I hope you refer some of your friends!
Everyone else... thanks you for wreading as well. Again, refer your friends!
Jeff
Comments
Post a Comment