Updating you on my work at Mr. Conservative and how it affects what’s going on here
Bookworm on Mar 17 2013 at 5:06 pm | Filed under: Blogs and Blogging
I wanted to give you the heads-up that you’re going to see more posts here that were first published at Mr. Conservative. The reason is that at Mr. Conservative I’m working on deadline, so it’s my priority. But they’re still very much Bookworm posts, so I want them to be here too, where we can talk about them.
During my first few days at Mr. Conservative, I tried to write “just the fact” posts, sort of like a news outlet. I discovered two things about that: First, that really isn’t how I write, so it was a bit of an effort and slowed my output; and, second, readers responded well to those posts in which I started with just the facts, and then included just a little bit of my usual Bookworm snark. The Mr. Conservative posts are not the thoughtful, personal, wandering posts I occasionally put up here, but they are precisely the same as the posts I put up commenting on some recent headline or event. The only real difference is that I’ve made the language more straightforward, because a larger audience demands less abstruse writing. That’s actually a good discipline for me, though, so I’m not complaining.
Because the Mr. Conservative posts are also vintage Bookworm, I have no compunction about publishing them here, for you. I’m not trying to pass off material that is different from the stuff I’ve always written and that has been the foundation for the wonderful comment conversations that go on here.
When the spirit moves me, I’ll definitely post original material here, different and separate from the Mr. Conservative stuff. But please, please don’t feel slighted by the fact that many posts appear “recycled.” In my mind, I write them for Bookworm Room, and then — coincidentally, almost — publish them first at Mr. Conservative.
I do have to say, though, that there’s a real pleasure in the readership my Mr. Conservative posts are getting. It’s not personal, in that they come because Cyrus is such a masterful marketer, with an intuitive understanding of what drives audiences, but they’re still reading my stuff. I’m egotistical enough to think my writing can hold up to this type of scrutiny, and I think it’s cool that my words go out to tens of thousands of people.
In many ways, I am a humble-ish person: I’m not physically vain; I know I have no homemaking talent, since my home is practical, not beautiful, and even the dog doesn’t like my cooking; I’m a mediocre (although determined) athlete; and I’m a reluctant caretaker for all the people who demand my care . . . but I can write. I’ve always valued more than you can imagine those of you who have come here to read what I write, and more importantly the fact that you stay for the conversation afterwards, but I’d be lying if I denied the thrill that others get to read it too.
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6 Responses to “Updating you on my work at Mr. Conservative and how it affects what’s going on here”
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News writing is a different discipline. “Just the facts” is efficient at transmitting, well, just the facts. Informative – and informative is the goal – but often not much fun. You’re approaching it, in a sense, backwards. Generally, or I suppose, traditionally, you start out doing news writing – straight reportage – and then if you have the talent to inject some personality that becomes a bit of a str4aightjacket and you move on to being a commentator, generally (again, the traditional path) you become a columnist. Think Mike Royko, Jimmy Breslin, etc. If you’re comfortable there, then there you stay: Royko, the Alsops, et al. If that’s still not enough to twitch your creative muscle, you move to the next level: Hemingway, O’Hara, Steinbeck; all of whom began as newsmen.
You’re starting at the columnist level. You have a definite personality that comes through the writing, and you present a little more of yourself than would do for straight reportage. It is, as noted, a discipline – and you can learn it. If you want. I’d question why you’d want to. You’re already adept at transmitting the story, and adroit enough to do it in your own way, true to your own style. Straight reportage would, for you, be something of a step back. I wouldn’t. Be who you are, it’s fine. If it’s ever not fine, you now have – in a sense – an editor there who’ll tell you that. Until he does, go with who you are. As a writer and commenter you’re fine, and I bet yuou will be with him, too. After all, he knew who you were when he hired you. If you’re inclined to worry about it – don’t.
jj hit the nail on the head. Be the Bookworm, even on Mr. Conservative.
Oh, you’re right that the long, rambling stuff you sometimes write (and that your BookwormRoom friends love) isn’t going to cut it at Mr. Conservative.
But, if you try to write “just the facts, ma’am” stuff, you’ll hate it, and no one is going to be very interested in it. If Mr. Conservative is as bright and focused as you’ve presented him, he’s going to let you know if you’re hurting his site….so let yourself go a little!!
What you’ve put on this blog is GREAT!! Even if it’s “recycled”. No one cares, BW — it’s fun to read and comment on.
AND…..you’re making money!! We’re all thrilled for you.
JJ and Earl are correct, as a columnist, your personality is a major part of your appeal, it’s your thoughts and opinions we wish to hear, so please keep writing Bookworm style, please.
If I wanted “just the facts”, I would scan any of the innumerable press release sites available on the internet instead of feeding my Bookworm Room addiction multiple times a day. Don’t force-fit a style upon yourself that isn’t “you”. We happen to like that “you”.
Dittos to all previous!!!
Personally, one of the reasons I read your site is because of your penchant for abstruse writing – as exemplified by your use of the phrase, “abstruse writing”