>Gene wrote:
>
>> There are more students than teachers. There are more listeners than
>> speakers. There are more readers than authors. Teaching, speaking, writing
>> are vocations that demand a high level of skill. Most people recognize that
>> and refrain from casual writing for fear of looking bad or from
[understanding that they are in a learning mode.]
Eric Storm:
>This is something that I have often thought was symptom of a problem.
>Perhaps in this day and age of information overload it's necessary, but I
>wonder if it's a good thing. It seems self-defeating to feel that only
>professionals can do something. Unfortunately, Gene's comment may keep a
>few more people from posting to this list.
Oh, I do hope that will not be the case. Those who have questions must ask
them. Those who have information will respond. Both questions and answers
are essential to sustain mail lists. But mail list dynamics is much more
casual than the dynamics between professional writers and readers.
>As Gene and I agreed, people more likely to listen (read) than speak
>(write). I see this also in music where people love to listen to
>professionals but end up unwilling to play an instrument, sing or even hum
>in front of others.
I love music, tried to learn various instruments, cannot endure hours of
practice. So I am a listener. I do sing a bit, mostly to my wife, sometimes
to the dogs, occasionally with the garden birds. My best music is howling
with the coyotes.
>Probably more words than necessary (sorry, Gene <grin>) to make the point
>that we are living indirectly, giving too much up to professionals and not
>much better off for it.
Our society has become largely disconnected from traditional skills and
responsibilities. Our urban habits, our disconnection from nature, are a
factor in our eco-destructive behavior. My primary mission is to help
people reconnect.
>A recent post of mine mentioned "presentation" of ideas to make them more
>palatable to the general public. Given your perspective, Gene, what kinds
>of things do you think are helpful to readers?
Successful writers address specific audiences. At a given time, some
readers want laughs (humor), some want escapism (suspense), some want mind
expansion/titillation (science fiction). Others want nonfiction information
that will help them do things--build houses, grow food, have great sex. All
readers come to written words with the questions: "What's here for me and
how long must I read to get it?" The writer's responsibility is to fulfill
the reader's need in a compelling manner.
Gene GeRue, author,
How To Find Your Ideal Country Home
http://www.ruralize.com/
"Writing is a sacred calling--but so are gardening, dentistry, and
plumbing, so don't put on airs." (Garrison Keillor)
