Should we talk about the weather...

Should we talk about the government? (Hi, hi. Hi.)

I met with a fellow blogger from out of town last night (who is blogging anonymously and shall stay anonymous). Over our dinner at Cucina Bella, we talked awhile about identity and persona as it relates to writing (and, naturally, blogging.)

I am all over the board in terms of what I write about on me3dia, but there are some people who stay very much on-topic all the time. What we write about is very much a part of our identity as writers, to such a degree as to be make us identifiable by our subject matter -- when we hear the name of a political blog, we know what it's about and we know a bit about the person behind it. Same goes for a blog/book/comic/whatever about puppies or vampires or knitting. Because of this, even though my friend isn't using his name on his weblog, his identity is not anonymous -- it's "unmute," that person who writes about environment and anti-consumerism issues.

My friend is also concerned about reaching an audience, both with his site and a project he's working on. To which I say, don't worry about the audience. Worry about the subject, let it develop and go where it takes you -- write for yourself, and the audience will develop naturally behind you.

I mean, hell, if I was worried about my audience, I doubt I'd post things like fake Onion surveys and "what I did last night" descriptions. (Not that I don't care for and value you, dear reader, but if you visit me more than once in spite of the fake surveys, I know I've gotten your attention on the merits of my writing, not some shtick or gimmick. And for that I'm grateful.)

Posted by Andrew Huff at October 3, 2003 02:31 PM