I just watched a video about Bob Kramer. Bob makes knives. No, I’m sorry, he crafts art that perform like knives. He spends 25 hours on custom knives created with over 400 layers of folded steel. He’s perfected an acid bath process that creates exotic textures in the steel. Customers wait months for one of his creations that sell for $300 an inch.
Bob had trouble finding his passion. He was a Ringling Bros. clown, chef, and professional knife sharpener. One day he decided to take a chance and design a life around his passion.
He succeeded.
Bob also helped me get clear about something that has been nagging me for a few weeks now
Let me start here -
Passion + Work x Courage = Art.
You skimp on any of these ingredients and you just have an equation for burnout. But if you take the time to align each of these components and you have something breathtaking.
As a writer who blogs, your art is your post.
It should rejuvenate you, challenge you, and scare you a bit. Since it’s YOUR art you have a right to take it personally. It’s supposed to hurt when someone criticizes or (worst) ignores it. Your work matters.
But here’s the kicker.
Bob, creates his works of art as tools and heirlooms for his clients. Sure he takes intense personal pleasure in each blade. But he knows that true art reaches its zenith when it’s appreciated by his customer.
Your Readers Matter…
As of late, I’ve been thinking about bloggers who publish publicly but insist they write only for themselves. Something doesn’t sit right. You see, I know of many artists whose work never faces public scrutiny. Their work gets put away moments after it’s created. They don’t pretend to want any recognition for their passion.
On the other hand, I see bloggers who spend hours crafting posts, promoting posts, and replying to commenters. But in the end, they insist they are writing only for themselves.
Um bologna. You have the passion. You’ve done the work. Why don’t you step up and have the courage to say. “World this is my art. Say what you will – but you need to hear what I have to say”. Some will dislike what you have to offer. Fine. But don’t deprive yourself of True Art by pretending to not give a damn about your audience.
Because, here’s the secret to greatness –
Great artists are constantly seeking to amaze their audience. Every new piece is designed to shed new light on the unique perspective of the artist.
Without the audience, there is no real progress or innovation.
I Need You.
As a writer, I need you. I write because I love it. But, I need you to love it too. I know this may not sit well with you, but think on it a bit and tell me what you think below.
By the way, thanks Bob Kramer for the lesson.
About Stanford
If I say I am writing for myself my audience will see right through me because of the niche I blog in. Some bloggers do think that they are writing for themselves, but in the real sense they want people to know who they are and what they are doing, even if the motive is self publicity.
You are right. If you blogged for yourself, then do it privately
Great points Kim. I think becoming "audience conscious" is gradual for most writers.
It doesn’t make sense to say that you’re writing for yourself and putting it on the internet for everyone to see. I guess what these writers mean is that they write for their own ideas and beliefs and are not influenced by other writers and their popular opinions. But still, it’s not 100% accurate to say they only write for themselves and have a blog.
As a novice, I started to write a blog with a very personal approach. As my blog grew and I realized that people actually read what I was writing, I became more conscious of my audience. It’s been a gradual process for me to realize how writing is not one-way, and most of the time it can be interactive, if you just allow it to be.
Great points Kim. I think becoming "audience conscious" is gradual for most writers.
It doesn’t make sense to say that you’re writing for yourself and putting it on the internet for everyone to see. I guess what these writers mean is that they write for their own ideas and beliefs and are not influenced by other writers and their popular opinions. But still, it’s not 100% accurate to say they only write for themselves and have a blog.
As a novice, I started to write a blog with a very personal approach. As my blog grew and I realized that people actually read what I was writing, I became more conscious of my audience. It’s been a gradual process for me to realize how writing is not one-way, and most of the time it can be interactive, if you just allow it to be.
It doesn’t make sense to say that you’re writing for yourself and putting it on the internet for everyone to see. I guess what these writers mean is that they write for their own ideas and beliefs and are not influenced by other writers and their popular opinions. But still, it’s not 100% accurate to say they only write for themselves and have a blog.
As a novice, I started to write a blog with a very personal approach. As my blog grew and I realized that people actually read what I was writing, I became more conscious of my audience. It’s been a gradual process for me to realize how writing is not one-way, and most of the time it can be interactive, if you just allow it to be.
Great points Kim. I think becoming "audience conscious" is gradual for most writers.
Yes, this is a business blog, not Live Journal. Remember that? My teenagers liked it a lot…Still, as a new blogger, it is a challenge for me to come up with topics that are not focused just on my own experience, musings, and questions. I'm still working on understanding who my audience is and what they want to read.
Yes, this is a business blog, not Live Journal. Remember that? My teenagers liked it a lot…Still, as a new blogger, it is a challenge for me to come up with topics that are not focused just on my own experience, musings, and questions. I'm still working on understanding who my audience is and what they want to read.
Yes, this is a business blog, not Live Journal. Remember that? My teenagers liked it a lot…Still, as a new blogger, it is a challenge for me to come up with topics that are not focused just on my own experience, musings, and questions. I'm still working on understanding who my audience is and what they want to read.
Good one Stanford.
I think the paradox is that bloggers write for themselves because they want to be noticed by others.
Good one Stanford.
I think the paradox is that bloggers write for themselves because they want to be noticed by others.
Good one Stanford.
I think the paradox is that bloggers write for themselves because they want to be noticed by others.
Stanford,
I think you put it brilliantly. In fact, as far as it applies to me, you hit the nail on the head.
This post helped me see what had only been lingering in my thoughts after reading Seth Godin's Linchpin.
I am an artist. I do write for myself. And yet, I care what my readers think of it. I want it to be useful and satisfying to the sojourner who struggled with the problem, issue or obstacle my post helped them with.
Art only matters if an audience appreciates it. Otherwise the asylum awaits for anyone who assumes their art is for their amusement alone.
[@ Linda - I'm in agreement with you about the "air" some bloggers posts on the Internet]
Grateful for this post, man (see you at the next #tweetdiner)
My recent post How Google Can Help You Find Your New Townhouse Apartment in Brooklyn
Stanford,
I think you put it brilliantly. In fact, as far as it applies to me, you hit the nail on the head.
This post helped me see what had only been lingering in my thoughts after reading Seth Godin's Linchpin.
I am an artist. I do write for myself. And yet, I care what my readers think of it. I want it to be useful and satisfying to the sojourner who struggled with the problem, issue or obstacle my post helped them with.
Art only matters if an audience appreciates it. Otherwise the asylum awaits for anyone who assumes their art is for their amusement alone.
[@ Linda - I'm in agreement with you about the "air" some bloggers posts on the Internet]
Grateful for this post, man (see you at the next #tweetdiner)
My recent post How Google Can Help You Find Your New Townhouse Apartment in Brooklyn
Stanford,
I think you put it brilliantly. In fact, as far as it applies to me, you hit the nail on the head.
This post helped me see what had only been lingering in my thoughts after reading Seth Godin's Linchpin.
I am an artist. I do write for myself. And yet, I care what my readers think of it. I want it to be useful and satisfying to the sojourner who struggled with the problem, issue or obstacle my post helped them with.
Art only matters if an audience appreciates it. Otherwise the asylum awaits for anyone who assumes their art is for their amusement alone.
[@ Linda - I'm in agreement with you about the "air" some bloggers posts on the Internet]
Grateful for this post, man (see you at the next #tweetdiner)
My recent post How Google Can Help You Find Your New Townhouse Apartment in Brooklyn
Fascinating story about Bob and the knives.
If you don't have readers who read your blog, then there's no body benefiting from what you have to say. I also think there's a correlation there…
Some people use the forum to "publicly" post their thoughts and passions, but it doesn't mean the rest of us feel the same way, or that they're not spewing to air. Not to sound unduly harsh, but there's a fair amount of narcissism in the blogoshere.
Love your passion Stanford, and it definitely comes across
Fascinating story about Bob and the knives.
If you don't have readers who read your blog, then there's no body benefiting from what you have to say. I also think there's a correlation there…
Some people use the forum to "publicly" post their thoughts and passions, but it doesn't mean the rest of us feel the same way, or that they're not spewing to air. Not to sound unduly harsh, but there's a fair amount of narcissism in the blogoshere.
Love your passion Stanford, and it definitely comes across
Fascinating story about Bob and the knives.
If you don't have readers who read your blog, then there's no body benefiting from what you have to say. I also think there's a correlation there…
Some people use the forum to "publicly" post their thoughts and passions, but it doesn't mean the rest of us feel the same way, or that they're not spewing to air. Not to sound unduly harsh, but there's a fair amount of narcissism in the blogoshere.
Love your passion Stanford, and it definitely comes across
It's kind of true. The writing/blogging is for me in a way. But my end goal is to help someone out there – impart some kind of insight, wisdom or idea to others. So yes, I write for selfish reasons on one hand, but I do try to keep an audience in mind on the other because I want to help.
Small aside – only recently have I begun to think of my blog as 'my art'. I like the use of the term, art can be anything!
My recent post Weight Loss- the Emotional Journey & a Challenge
It's kind of true. The writing/blogging is for me in a way. But my end goal is to help someone out there – impart some kind of insight, wisdom or idea to others. So yes, I write for selfish reasons on one hand, but I do try to keep an audience in mind on the other because I want to help.
Small aside – only recently have I begun to think of my blog as 'my art'. I like the use of the term, art can be anything!
My recent post Weight Loss- the Emotional Journey & a Challenge
It's kind of true. The writing/blogging is for me in a way. But my end goal is to help someone out there – impart some kind of insight, wisdom or idea to others. So yes, I write for selfish reasons on one hand, but I do try to keep an audience in mind on the other because I want to help.
Small aside – only recently have I begun to think of my blog as 'my art'. I like the use of the term, art can be anything!
My recent post Weight Loss- the Emotional Journey & a Challenge
I think this is one of your best posts, Stan. The knife story hooked me (ouch) and you kept me reading till the end. That is not particularly unusual.
What I really liked about your post is that you live out in this post the passion you teach everyone else.
This is how a good blog post should look, ladies and gents. As a reader, I am well satisfied.
I think this is one of your best posts, Stan. The knife story hooked me (ouch) and you kept me reading till the end. That is not particularly unusual.
What I really liked about your post is that you live out in this post the passion you teach everyone else.
This is how a good blog post should look, ladies and gents. As a reader, I am well satisfied.
I think this is one of your best posts, Stan. The knife story hooked me (ouch) and you kept me reading till the end. That is not particularly unusual.
What I really liked about your post is that you live out in this post the passion you teach everyone else.
This is how a good blog post should look, ladies and gents. As a reader, I am well satisfied.
Thanks Leisa, that made my day
Stanford – You need me, you got me. I always love you unique and insightful perspective. I can always think, oh – so & so needs to read this (in addition to me). Well done. I'll just keep learning from you! Thanks.
My recent post 52 things I know about words and you should too- 3 Words Linger
Thanks Leisa, that made my day
Stanford – You need me, you got me. I always love you unique and insightful perspective. I can always think, oh – so & so needs to read this (in addition to me). Well done. I'll just keep learning from you! Thanks.
My recent post 52 things I know about words and you should too- 3 Words Linger
Stanford – You need me, you got me. I always love you unique and insightful perspective. I can always think, oh – so & so needs to read this (in addition to me). Well done. I'll just keep learning from you! Thanks.
My recent post 52 things I know about words and you should too- 3 Words Linger
Thanks Leisa, that made my day
Writing just like any art form can only be validated by the public, not by the artist.
And really, the best art doesn't come solely from the artist but from the audience as well. The artist is merely a conduit to channel and filter synergistic feelings that come from artist and viewer.
A real artist doesn't express just their own feelings, they express the timeless feelings of the collective human consciousness. Why else would certain works of art still be relevant 100's of years after they were created. Why are publications from 200 years ago still relevant? Surely it's not because the artist was speaking to exactly what was happening at the time, but what was happening within themselves at the core, which is something that happens to other people at their core, regardless of time or space.
My recent post Fred Roger’s guide to better blogging
Anyone that posts to the internet can't be solely doing it for themselves. If you want to write for yourself, you would put your thoughts in a diary, or lock away your entries. Though it's important that every blogger not lost sight of their cause and their voice, you always have to keep your audience in mind.
Great post, Stanford.
Anyone that posts to the internet can't be solely doing it for themselves. If you want to write for yourself, you would put your thoughts in a diary, or lock away your entries. Though it's important that every blogger not lost sight of their cause and their voice, you always have to keep your audience in mind.
Great post, Stanford.
Anyone that posts to the internet can't be solely doing it for themselves. If you want to write for yourself, you would put your thoughts in a diary, or lock away your entries. Though it's important that every blogger not lost sight of their cause and their voice, you always have to keep your audience in mind.
Great post, Stanford.
I can see your analogy between blogging and art. I blog but I don't write. I compose. I craft with words. That's the way I see it. If I wrote I'd knock posts out way faster than I do. Instead I spend an insane amount of time on posts, and I'm never satisfied with them. I guess artist's are that way. It's a solitary act when I doing it, but then nothing beats the thrill of an unsolicited comment from somebody who just ran across my blog. Wow! Makes me want to produce more "art".
My recent post Are You Speaking to Your Customer’s Hearts
I can see your analogy between blogging and art. I blog but I don't write. I compose. I craft with words. That's the way I see it. If I wrote I'd knock posts out way faster than I do. Instead I spend an insane amount of time on posts, and I'm never satisfied with them. I guess artist's are that way. It's a solitary act when I doing it, but then nothing beats the thrill of an unsolicited comment from somebody who just ran across my blog. Wow! Makes me want to produce more "art".
My recent post Are You Speaking to Your Customer’s Hearts
I can see your analogy between blogging and art. I blog but I don't write. I compose. I craft with words. That's the way I see it. If I wrote I'd knock posts out way faster than I do. Instead I spend an insane amount of time on posts, and I'm never satisfied with them. I guess artist's are that way. It's a solitary act when I doing it, but then nothing beats the thrill of an unsolicited comment from somebody who just ran across my blog. Wow! Makes me want to produce more "art".
My recent post Are You Speaking to Your Customer’s Hearts
It makes sense to me, Stanford. Otherwise, you'd just be writing in a non-public journal. Blogging, unless you lock it down appropriately, is really for an audience.
My recent post Strolling through the Fields of Awe for inspiration
It makes sense to me, Stanford. Otherwise, you'd just be writing in a non-public journal. Blogging, unless you lock it down appropriately, is really for an audience.
My recent post Strolling through the Fields of Awe for inspiration
It makes sense to me, Stanford. Otherwise, you'd just be writing in a non-public journal. Blogging, unless you lock it down appropriately, is really for an audience.
My recent post Strolling through the Fields of Awe for inspiration