Rebel from the crowd by writing in your own authentic voice.
Here's a scenario: You are a writer whose interests include baseball, classic rock music, and James Bond movies, but you're bewildered by the popularity of TikTok videos and avoid them at all costs.
Your employer has named you "Employee of the Month." It sounds great until you find out you are expected to write a 500-word article by the end of the week on the pop-culture topic of your choice to appear in the company newsletter. One stipulation is that it must convey something unique about your personality.
In this hypothetical scenario, your employer is in the health insurance field.
Which of the following writing topics do you select?
A. How baseball was more exciting in the era of great base stealers.
B. How Van Halen was the bridge between 1970s glam rock and 1980s hair metal.
C. Why Sean Connery was by far the best 007.
D. How TikTok influencer videos can positively impact health and wellness.
If you've chosen option D, congratulations! You've displayed your incredible talent for shape-shifting, transforming your writing persona to match the popular trends. You get extra points for unabashedly catering to an audience of health insurance professionals in the company newsletter.
I mean, who needs personal integrity and a genuine voice when you can jump on the TikTok train, right? It's not who you really are, and your individuality may be compromised, but hey, at least you're keeping up with the times. And with the obligatory healthcare twist to boot, no reader of the company newsletter can accuse you of disloyalty to your professional domain.
Never mind that your work is on the verge of becoming indistinguishable from your sense of self. While the writer Franz Kafka grappled with how employment threatens to consume an artist's identity, you find solace and security in blending in with your professional peers. Anyway, you're not pretending to be a seminal 20th-century Bohemian writer known for your surreal, existential works.
On the other hand, what I wouldn't give to read a 500-word Kafkaesque appreciation of the base-stealing immortal Rickey Henderson:
Who is this enigmatic phantom lurking in the shadows of the diamond? What fervent purpose propels him to challenge the suffocating bureaucracy that seeks to confine him to a solitary base? And how does the haunting specter of mortality cast its pall over his relentless pursuit toward the eternal home?. . .
My apologies; I occasionally get carried away trying to write like Kafka.
But if you are meant to be a writer, you will feel what Kafka* felt. Conformity is the path toward writing mediocrity.
Now, before you accuse me of sounding a bit harsh, understand that my bluntness stems from years of wading through the treacherous slush pile as an acquisitions editor.
Oh, the trials and tribulations! The countless proposals that flooded my desk, each one attempting to ride the coattails of the latest trendy bandwagon.
So many writing jacks-of-all-trades were masters of none, offering a monotonous rotation of uninspired and lackluster ideas that made my eyes ache from the sheer boredom.
If I were ever unfortunate enough to find myself cornered by one of these aspiring authors on the phone or at an event, pleading for an opportunity, I would inquire about their intended subject matter. In response, they would echo the iconic words of Marlon Brando in "The Wild One": "Whaddaya got?"
Ironically, a phrase that symbolized raw rebellion when delivered by Brando's character, in this context, represents bland conformity, and is the very antithesis of what a self-respecting literary curator stands for. Nonfiction publishers, acquisitions editors, and especially readers value writers who convey their specific subjects with conviction, authority, and genuine enthusiasm.
My point is, you need to write for yourself. It's the only way to sustain a meaningful career. The hacks, the ones who try to be all things to all people, eventually reveal themselves for what they truly are. Discerning readers and publishers alike can spot the charade from a mile away. It's only the ones who write for themselves, honing their unique voice and vision over time, who tend to survive as lifelong professional writers.
*Now here was a guy who knew a thing or two about shape-shifting; "Metamorphosis," anyone?
Writing is a process of selection, or rather, curation. As a writer, you play the role of curator, carefully choosing the words, details, and ideas that make the cut. If something piques your interest, it deserves a place in your writing; if it fails to captivate you, it's better off discarded.
The selection process starts, of course, with the topic. It's essential to focus on topics where you possess confidence in your own judgment. You don't necessarily have to be an expert, but your enthusiasm and interest in the subject are crucial.
However, if you find yourself assigned a topic that bores you to tears as a professional, it may spell trouble. Nevertheless, in most cases, you retain the power of choice, allowing you to select subjects that resonate with your passion and curiosity.
Undoubtedly, novice writers often grapple with the delicate balance of what to include and what to omit in their work. However, this is precisely where the invaluable guidance of an experienced editor comes into play.
Seasoned editors possess the discernment to differentiate between imposing their own preferences and improving the writer's work. Their expertise allows them to navigate this fine line, offering constructive suggestions and revisions that respect the writer's individuality.
The goal is not to impose a different style or narrative, but rather to refine and elevate the existing work.
So, my writer friends, remember to embrace your unique perspective and let your passion guide you. Be wary of trends and the temptation to conform. Stay true to yourself and your voice, and seek the support of an experienced editor when needed. Together, you can create impactful and authentic work that resonates with readers and stands the test of time.
Keep writing, keep refining, and most importantly, keep being true to yourself.
If you are looking for an editor to help unlock the potential of your true, authentic voice, I happen to know one.
By the way, any discerning Bond fan knows Sean Connery will forever be the best 007.
Comments