Cameron! This is such sound advice. Our writing really isn't about us. It's about our readers! I'll never forget my dad telling me this when I was writing a eulogy for my mom's memorial. "This isn't about you," he had told me. It was about honoring my mom's memory and giving the audience (our dear friends and family who sat in the service) something to hold onto to help them grieve. This sentiment has stayed with me and I love remembering the same holds true in the writing we put out into the world here on Substack. Thank you!
Oh wow… what a powerful (and heartbreaking) way to learn that lesson. I’m so sorry it came through such a hard moment. But what a gift your dad gave you in those words—and now you’ve passed it on. You’re so right: even here, with our writing, it’s still about offering something that helps someone else carry what they’re holding.Thank you for sharing this.
Cameron! This is such sound advice. Our writing really isn't about us. It's about our readers! I'll never forget my dad telling me this when I was writing a eulogy for my mom's memorial. "This isn't about you," he had told me. It was about honoring my mom's memory and giving the audience (our dear friends and family who sat in the service) something to hold onto to help them grieve. This sentiment has stayed with me and I love remembering the same holds true in the writing we put out into the world here on Substack. Thank you!
Oh wow… what a powerful (and heartbreaking) way to learn that lesson. I’m so sorry it came through such a hard moment. But what a gift your dad gave you in those words—and now you’ve passed it on. You’re so right: even here, with our writing, it’s still about offering something that helps someone else carry what they’re holding.Thank you for sharing this.
Love the analogy. Good post Cameron!
Thanks so much, Paul. We’ve all been to one of those parties. UGH! :)