Great post, Gavin. That sense of risk in writing is what transforms the experience for both the writer and the reader or audience. That's why I love Kathy Sierra's blog, but have a more reserved reaction to LOTS of others. Ariel's is sharp, too, and I LOVE that BMW ad she highlights in "Subtly intimidating the competition".

Gavin,

Good stuff. I would add that we should first write for our audiences and not for ourselves, which means that one style does not fit all. While you may enjoy surprises, others may disdain them and simply want straight-forward writing.

I have been graced to write for newspapers and magazines, and to teach teachers the various ways that readers read. Diversity of wants, needs and desires make up our audiences, just as that diversity makes up our clients and customers.

At the end of the day, I think it is about honesty and authenticity, finding our voices, and story-telling that resonates with our readers. I enjoy CK's writing, as well, but for anyone to emulate another's style because they admire their writing is to speak in a false voice.

John ... "sharp" is a great word -- it captures the "edginess" of Ariel's writing and the "insight" of Kathy's.

Lewis ... I don't know -- I guess it is to do with the reason for writing. I absolutely agree when I am doing some writing work for a client. But for my blog, for example, I am more for writing for myself rather than an audience. I find that if I write for an audience then I begin to self-censor -- obviously there is content that is not relevant for MarketingProfs or Servant of Chaos -- but that is different. When it comes to building community and attracting readers, writing for yourself, expressing your own take on topics seems to me essential. And let's face it, if readers don't like it, they will find someone that they like better -- and as you say, the best we can do is to be "honest and authentic".

This happens to be one of my favorite topics -- writing for an audience vs. writing for yourself. In my mind, the very best writers can accomplish both -- self-express in a meaningful way, a way that also connects with an audience. But that's not easy, and it takes a lot of practice. It also means that you have sufficient cred with your audience of readers that they'll invest time to read you. That's a luxury a lot of us don't get. For example, I'd read instructions on how to make a peanut butter sandwich if it was written by someone whose writing I loved and admired.

That being said, I agree with you Gavin -- the blogs I like best are those that surprise me. And usually, that means those without much of an audience. Mike Wagner asked me recently what I look for when I read a blog I've recently encountered -- and one of the first things I always check before investing a lot of time is whether there's any comments. If I see "zero," I always get a little psyched and I tend to read on... because it tells me that a writer is doing it for love, not money. Or fame. Or whatever. And often, that voice is more authentic.

Not always, of course. But often. The audience will always find them, as you suggest. But I always love to discover a little bit of a secret first.

Well put, as always, Gavin. I loved Ariels blog too. Thanks for pointing it out. Best...Stan

Dear Gavin - great post and great conversation starter. My mind is racing.

"the text that hurts you" combined with your observation that "surprise" is what you love in a blog has been churning inside me since I read your post earlier today.

Regarding who we write/blog for; Stephen King advises we write first with the "door closed" - for ourselves. Then, we rewrite with the "door open" for the audience.

I like the challenge of his "both/and"..."for me/for others" aspiration of writing.

Thanks for stirring us up!

Okay, everyone is right, we do write for ourselves first, because we write about our passions.

Once we have found the topic, however, we should have our audience's wants, needs and desires in mind, if we want others to read our work. (I write to earn a living and will quickly be out of work if others don't read me. For me, blogging is for fun, for sharing and to engage conversation. And I agree that the rules here are different.)

There is a vast difference between writing fiction and writing nonfiction. Stephen King is correct that when writing fiction we write only from our inner muse, and then rewrite with readers in mind.

But when writing nonfiction, we have an obligation to our readers to write to them and for them. (Unless we are writing opinion pieces, and then we write for ourselves.) That is why when we freelancers get a writing assignment, the first information we receive is what the audience looks like.

So, I agree with everyone: this is about the "and" with a slice of "or" to spice it up. Most important, writing style, intent and purpose need to be driven by the medium and the audience attracted to that medium, making writing for newspapers different from writing for magazines, which is different from writing on blogs, etc.

You know, there really is not one correct way to approach writing. Although I argue we should write for our readers, that does not mean those who write for themselves produce lesser works. In fact, like most things in life, at the end of the day passion is what matters most.

CK writes with passion (but she also writes for her readers; take note of her style and see how she is talking directly to you). Gavin, your writing is inspirational, no matter who you write for.

p.s. Gavin -- The BBC "sex differences" site was really interesting...! Thanks for sharing that link. (I'm a little on the girly and on the male side... consistent with my inherently conflicted nature!)

Hey Lewis ... I love it when we are all right ;) That is one of the best things about the discussions that Ann allows us to have here ... so many valid and passionate points of view. And so many varied topics to talk about!

Thanks Gavin for the many unexpected melodies you struck up in your post and generated from discussions!

It dawned on me as I read the brain parts that we also find surprises in the underparts of our own writing - when we simply write to know a think.

It comes from the linguistic and intrapersonal intelligences which open to new neuron pathways through the process of writing.

have you ever noticed that you start a post one way, and it leads you in another. That's the first sign a surprise is coming through the writing process, as is evident in your posts:-) Great stuff and thanks!

Brain Based Business