See a photo of Kim, her bio, Part 1 of this Q&A, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.
Q&A with Kim Pearson, Question 5:
Q: If you could share just one piece of advice or wisdom about story/storytelling/narrative with readers, what would it be?
A: I put a sticky note on my computer which says “It’s not about you.” Even if you are telling your own life story, it’s still not about you. It’s about your readers or your listeners. Stories come through you, not from you.
If you write books, articles or a blog, you’ve probably been told that writing new and useful content is of vital importance. Content is King, in other words.
I disagree. Content is vitally important, but it isn’t King. We don’t live in a monarchy, and your readers are not your loyal subjects. You don’t get to stuff your content down your readers’ throats — or through their eyes. (Sounds painful, doesn’t it?)
Content is more like the president. It’s only good if it’s elected by a majority of the populace — the readers. That’s because the president serves the people. He or she cares about what they think, because if he/she doesn’t, he/she won’t be president very long.
Many writers say, with great pride, that they “write for themselves,” as if this means they are a “real” writer, in touch with their Muse. But this is only true if you are writing a journal, meant just for your eyes.
Books, articles, blog posts and the like are communication vehicles. All effective communication is two-way. The written word is no exception. You have to know what is important to your reader. Otherwise, he or she will not read your writing. People have a choice to read your book or blog, or not to read it. It’s as simple as that.
How you present your ideas must be done in a way that your readers will understand or be entertained by. Yes, I am talking about slanting your writing.
Slanting your writing so that your reader can “get” you is not pandering, manipulation, or selling out. It is simply good communication. It shows respect for your reader. You are paying attention to what they care about. Aren’t you more likely to listen when people pay attention to your interests, and offer you respect by talking in terms you understand? Of course you are. It’s the same with writing.
Tailoring your writing to your reader’s “care abouts” will allow you to elicit emotional responses from them. You want bells to go off in their heads, or for them to snap their fingers with delight, or be dazzled by the brilliant light you have poured over them. Emotional responses lead to action or change. And that’s ultimately what you’re trying to get from your reader — you want them to do something, or learn something.
You can only emotionally hook them if you know what they care about.
This does not mean you are pandering or betraying your own muse. All it means is that you are treating your readers with respect, and paying attention to who they are.
After all, the reason you write is so someone else will read it. It’s not about you.