Tag Archives: learn

Know Your Audience

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“Know your audience”. As a writer, that’s a common phrase that gets overlooked. It basically means, make sure you’re authentic to the target group. If I’m writing romance, I’d better throw in some good conversation, cuddle time, and ambiance. A great thriller should include twists and turns, dark skies, and lots of action.

The trilogy I’m working on is writing itself. Megan and I hash out our thoughts and ideas, then put them on paper; always pleasantly surprised at the progress. We try to stay true to our genre, adding little elements of everything here and there. Researching what we don’t know, clarifying what we do.

It didn’t dawn on me until today, that in the back of my head, I’ve been keenly aware of my blog readers. I no longer just write whatever it is I feel like (although it often seems that way!). I pay attention to who comments on which posts, and I let that feed my writings.

I desire to hear so much more from Mary, Lisa, Dan, Lara… and everyone who reads and comments. But more than that, I desire to know them.

“Know your audience” is more than the push to recognize a grouping, to see them as a superficial utility; an end to the means of my writing. It’s to seek out their tastes and flavors and styles and preferences. To know my audience means I invest in them. I invest my time and energy and interest. To ask the questions. To listen to the answers. To pay attention to them, to treasure all they have to offer.

I don’t know each of my readers on the same level I know my family and close friends. But I know them. I know they value my writing, and that’s encouraging to me. I know they let me encourage them (at least, I hope I do!). I don’t ever want to stop learning about my family, my friends; about love and life and everything in between.

As Cris says, I’m fairly transparent with my blog posts. I kinda have to be. I don’t know any other way to write than to be Real. I trust my readers to be real in return. To call me on the carpet when they don’t agree (thanks, Mom!), to support me when they do. I get comments filled with humor, sincerity, trust… and I know they mean it. Because they know me.

And in return, I have this to offer: Humor. Sincerity. Trust. And many, many e-hugs and smilie-cons.

It’s a start. And a journey.

I am, after all, a Some-Kind-of-Adventure Girl. ;)

Remembering the Me I’ve Forgotten

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I went out to my old employment stomping grounds yesterday. The first stop was at the new office of an old coworker. I’ve known Janice for over a decade, and I’m always surprised by how welcoming and unselfish she is.

I’m also surprised, for having not seen me for a handful of years, how well she remembers me. When I put the past behind me, that often includes associated memories. So I was taken aback, and back, when she started to recount the seemingly tiny interactions we’d had over our duration of working together.

It got me thinking, in my quest to grow and change and move on, exactly how much have I left behind? I had taken a mental box and stuffed so much in there, so much that I no longer remember unless someone else reaches in and pulls it out.

It’s a bit frightening and a lot exciting. Who was I, that they would remember what I’ve forgotten? Are they bits and pieces that still make up who I am, or only discards of who I was?

I’d have to say they are building blocks and stepping stones. Everything has conspired together to make me who I am today, which is still on the road to who I’ll be… someday. I won’t toss aside today while looking forward. So I’m choosing to not throw away yesterday either. Any of it.

Of course, I’ve made more mistakes than I care to cop to; I’ve betrayed people with the water cooler gossip. I’ve sloughed off when I should have worked hard. I lose myself in my temper, in others, in the world, in my own head. Those are the parts I’d love to forget.

I’d love to present myself as Perfect to any and all. I’d love to use a Jedi mind trick: “Forget this, you will.” But I’m not a Jedi. And I’m not perfect. And no matter how hard I try, I never will be.

But I can be the perfect ME, the one I was designed (past tense) to grow into (future tense), and combine the two now (present tense).

It’s not just Janice’s memories that make me who I am. It’s her interaction, her willingness to not forget me, that matter. It’s because of Janice and my family and friends and even acquaintances, that I am on this road to being me. They are not stumbling blocks. They are memories. They are stepping stones and helping hands and study materials. I’m not finished learning this Life-thing. Why would I cast off what I’ve picked up so far?

Some things we take, some things we learn to leave. But when all is said and done, it’s not just my memories that count. It’s the memories I leave with others, too. You’re worth it. All of you.