Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the Wittenburg Door
So, we’ve talked about the divide. We’ve looked at the ways that Internet writing is better than print writing. We’ve examined the Internet writing market, and the roles that the Internet writer has to fill. Where do we go from here? How do we use this conversation to bridge the great divide?
As Internet writers, we need to take the lead. I suggest several immediately actionable ways to begin bridging the divide:
1. Get it straight in your own mind. You need to shirk off the idea that we’re not “real” writers. Your writing has real value. In fact, on the average, your writing has more value than print writing, given publication rates. You can’t waver here. Darren Rowse, however well-intentioned, needs to shrug off “web publisher” and embrace Internet Writer (or Professional Blogger, if he prefers). If you aren’t comfortable seeing yourself as a real writer, no one else will be either.
2. Build up your arsenal of evidence. Be ready to talk about your own experience as a writer, and how you’ve made more on the Internet than you ever have (or will) in print. Be willing to share your own writing journey. Get to know the folks that make a living as Internet writers, and use them as examples, too.
photo credit: bbaltimore
Spread the word. Internet writers are real writers.
3. Be evangelistic with non-writers. When the new neighbor asks what you do for a living, tell them enthusiastically, “I’m an Internet writer. I write full time for blogs, web sites, and eBook publishers.” Then, hand them your professionally-designed business card, one that says, “I am a professional, just like a banker, pharmaceutical sales rep, or teacher.” When they have career day at your kids’ school or at the local community college, set up a booth. Go all out on the setup to make it memorable and, again, professional.
4. Talk with other writers, too. Talk with both print writers and Internet writers, in community together. When you find areas where the divide is prevalent, do your best to bridge it using these techniques.
5. Correct misconceptions immediately. Be ready to hear “I know what you mean. My uncle lost his job last year and hasn’t been able to find anything either.” Pull something out of that arsenal you’ve collected. Let the person know (politely, of course) that you’re doing just fine, and that plenty of folks who do what you do make six figures. Same goes if they ask you, “have you ever had anything published?” Tell them that one of your hats is as a publisher, and that some Internet writing is more popular than print books.
There’s nothing wrong with a print byline, every now and again.
6. Try to do some print writing, too. Know what the “other side” deals with, so that you can intelligently compare the two. You may find that, for all of the distinctions, there is a lot more that print writing has in common with Internet writing than you might think.
Time will tell the victor’s tale, as always. In the meantime, defend your position. Be proud of who you are and what you do. Moreover, strive to be the best damn writer on the Internet, and in time you’ll receive the recognition you deserve.
8 comments ↓
Great post, as always, Bob! You might be interested in this video post from Darren Rowse in which he addresses the issue of defining oneself as a problogger. The comments are very interesting too!
Writing as a profession isn’t really taken seriously, because of the perpetuated misconception of creative souls struggling over that novel they’ll never finish.
For that reason, I always clearly define what I do. I’m a web content writer - not just a writer. At the very least, I stir up interest in what a web content writer is. Most people are clueless. I also shake off the archaic perception of writers by using “web”, which puts me in the innovative technology class of workers.
But essentially, your points are right. For god’s sake, stand up and be proud of what you do.
Whoo hoo for standing up and being proud! I write for the web and print and I’m darn proud of it! It’s silly that we even had to contend with the divide but so be it. I am proud of what I do and wake up with joy that I get to do it every day on my own terms.
@ Amy - Thank you for your kind words. I’d seen the video a while back, but forgotten about it. It’s worth a look ,for sure.
@ James - You’ve got a point about writing being taken seriously. However, if “writer” isn’t taken seriously by average folk, then “blogger” or “Internet writer” is, for now, a step down from there even.
I can live with your term of web Writer. For my purposes I see “web” as limited to a single technology (albeit the dominant one) and avoid it. “Internet” is broader. Just a matter of preference, though.
@ Karen - WOO HOO indeed. I think the lines will continue to blur. We’re really just a couple of decades into this whole Internet thing, though, so who really knows?
Bob, I’m on board. Internet writer I am.I have already been a paid proofreader and marketing writer. Why not add a new hat. And if I also can be a Print writer, Novel writer and any other type of writer I am going for that as well. I for one do not plan on discriminating.
And James, Dear James, I hope by now you know I think of you fondly,so don’t take this the wrong way, but I will never limit what I am or will be based on any one else’s short-sighted imaginations. If they can’t take writers seriously then heck on them. They can look at the dust as I am walking away.
@ Wendi -
Thanks for your thoughts! For the most part, in life, I tend to eschew labels. My middle daughter, for example, has Asperger’s Syndrome. We went through half a dozen other diagnoses before settling on that one. Through the whole process, the challenge was to focus on her needs rather than the label. I know that’s not what you were getting at there, but it’s related in a tangential, Bobish sort of way. Trust me.
Bob,
Interesting that you brought that up. It wasn’t in the for-front of my mind when I posted that, but it does drive my principles. My nephew has Aperger’s Syndrome. He is doing great. Several of us in this goofy family have ADHD (Myself included and there are a few Bi-polars. I am Dyslexic. All of us have reached rather acceptable or pretty darn good levels of achievement in the important areas of our lives, and work around the hard parts.
As a family, we don’t focus on what society or the pot-holes in our general make up are, we focus on what we CAN do when we get around them.
It works for us.
Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..In the Silence are the Answers…
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