Note:
In case you missed it,
I owe you an apology
Also in case you missed it,
The newest "agents/querying" post is up
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Nine years ago, I introduced my best friend Allen to another one of my best friends, Amanda. Two years ago, Allen and Amanda married one another (insert sentimental "Awww" right here). This last weekend, The Shutterbug and I went down to Dallas with Allen and Amanda to watch (what turned out to be) the Red Sox getting annihilated by the Rangers.
Whenever we go down to Dallas for a Red Sox game, we usually stay the night with Amanda's dad...who happens to be John Mauldin. And John Mauldin happens to be one of the most valuable financial minds in the country.
Mr. Mauldin always tries to spend a bit of time with us when we go down there. And this last weekend, on Friday - despite the fact that he writes his free financial newsletter on Fridays, and despite the fact that he was traveling the next morning to give a presentation to the Speaker of the House (yes, that Speaker of the House...after which he and the Speaker of the House sat down together to watch the Kentucky-UConn game) - he went out with us for a couple hours in the evening.
Now, I am a firm believer in the idea that you can learn things about life from anyone in the world - and I mean anyone, no matter their background, social standing, or level of success. But I also believe that it is a special treat to sit down with someone who has a vast amount of knowledge in a specialized area. This is why I so enjoy the opportunity to spend time around Mr. Mauldin whenever we go down there.
At one point, while we were out on Friday night, I grabbed a napkin off the table, pulled my pen out of my pocket, and started to write.
"Did you just get an idea for your next novel?" Mr. Mauldin asked.
"No. I'm writing down what you just said."
This is what he had just said:
I've seen people try to please their audience,
and they blow up.
You can never please your audience.
You have to be you.
Considering that these words came from a man whose weekly newsletter has over one million readers, and who has had multiple books on the New York Times bestseller list (including one that is on there right now - Endgame - and if you care about your financial future, you ought to pick up a copy!), I figured it was a good idea to pay close attention.
After he asked me to read back what I had just written on the napkin, he expounded.
"It's true. Too many people try to please their audience instead of writing what they have to write. And your audience can always tell the difference."
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As fiction writers, there are things we can all learn from this. And while the genuine treat of sitting down for a couple hours with John Mauldin and hearing his thoughts might not be yours, you can still rattle his words around inside your head before you put the proverbial pen to paper.
Never write to please your audience. In the long run, it will only cause you to blow up.
Instead, always write what you have to write.
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The first "book trailer" for The Great Lenore is up. Check it out below. And remember, you can earn $111 on Amazon and a free copy of The Great Lenore if you make a trailer yourself!
If your heart is made of gold (or if you just enjoy littering)...
Learn
how you
can litter to
help out with
The Great Lenore
Play nice and share with others
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Posts
Thanks as always for a great post JM. I come to your blog, read it, have in the past checked out your site and go back to my own thinking: it's so black and white and stark. Shouldn't it perhaps be softer, like yours. But then I remind myself, you are you and I am me. Just a different example of how we all have to be who we are and not what we think we should be to gain more fans, for instance, or to appear more approachable perhaps. Because, let's face it, it is not sustainable in the long run and at some point someone is going to figure it out. PS: great video!
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice, as always, but often easy for writers to forget.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am *really* looking forward to reading your book. :-D
Heart warming stuff, a good antidote to the critical crisis and the crumbling resolve which afflicts us all along the way.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I wish the game had been in Houston. I would have loved to take you and Miss Shutterbug out for coffee or something :)
ReplyDeleteThe trailer looks good - and I say that begrudgingly ;-) I'm scrapping my poor little Xtranormal video and may just have to wing it and video myself talking about your book. Oh lord... ;-)
Marlene - I feel the same way when I go to other people's websites at times (in fact, I have felt the same way upon going to yours!). But you're right - we have to do what is right for each of us.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - I don't imagine it can ever get old to see someone saying they are looking forward to reading your work; thank you!
Fiona - Mmmm - the crumbling resolve that inevitably afflicts each of us at one point or another is a good point to bring up; after all, when we write what we HAVE to write, it becomes so much easier to keep pressing.
Katie - I'm still holding out for the Xtranormal video - I have a good feeling about the eventual final product! And if The Shutterbug and I are ever down near Houston, you can be sure I will take you up on that offer (after all, I have never been known to turn down coffee!).
I don't remember if it was in a different post or an e-mail, but this reminded me of when you said if everyone likes a book, the writer has done something wrong.
ReplyDeleteI learned I can never please everyone my first year of teaching. It didn't matter how much I put into a lesson, there was always going to be someone who whined and refused to cooperate. The same applies to writing. I have always sat down to write the story I need to write. As far as I'm concerned, there is one person in the audience, and that person is me. I need to be happy with the story I've created.
Paul, your comment reminds me of the series I just finished: The Hunger Games. I loved it so much, I couldn't imagine anyone NOT loving it. However, when I saw some of the negative reviews on Amazon, I, too, realized that you can't please everyone - and that's not necessarily a bad thing. When you find something that impacts you and touches you, it's like a gift. The meaning of the gift can be diluted if EVERYONE experienced the same thing you did.
ReplyDelete