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Writing for That One Most Important Reader: That Curious, Clever, Intelligent Individual

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How Do You Write for Everyone?

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How easy it is to get overwhelmed when I think of how individual each reader is. How can I possibly meet what they expect, when each of them comes with a different goal, a different history, and a different mind set?

Whatever the subject I choose to write on, I can be sure that some readers will know it far better than I do and some will have never encountered it before. How do I bridge gap to write a piece that meets learners on solid ground while engaging readers with significant expertise? These writing questions are central for anyone who writes for an audience of more than two people they already know.

How do I answer these questions for myself and for others?

I give them the answer Big Roy discovered.
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Bookcraft 2.0: Even the Best Shoes Don’t Belong in a Bookstore

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Look for Books Like Yours

books

If you recall, Phil, an editor, and I have been through his pages. We sorted them into four parts. I’ve read the parts through again and begun the process of fine tuning the order. This will get us to the final book map. We also checked the market at Amazon to see what books like Phil’s new book were doing. . . .

I promised to tell you more about that.

When I started in publishing I was a freelancer. I read everything I could about writing and one bit of advice always confused me:

Go after the publishers who already sell the kind of book you want to write.

To me, that advice seem counter-intuitive. Why would a publisher want another book about writing if they already had a list full of them? Shouldn’t I go to where a publisher didn’t have any?

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Interview 11.1: Rajesh Setty — Raj’s Story

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From Child Author to IT Consultant

Recently I wrote, if you want me to care, tell me who you are. It was a statement about knowing who wrote what we are reading. That statement becomes more when the writer in question is Rajesh Setty.

Rajesh

When we learn about who Raj is, it’s no wonder Beyond Code: Learn to Distinguish Yourself in 9 Simple Steps! is packed with testimonials to its quality and wisdom. Not every IT Consultant can write about personal and interpersonal skills in business. Not every business book can boast a foreward by Tom Peters.

Raj has worked in five countries. He wrote his first book when he was nine years old. He’s what people might call one in a million. He’s a nice man, who has friends almost everywhere.

I knew this interview would be outstanding, if I could find questions that went beyond the book in the same way that Raj had gone Beyond Code to the basics of every business. I was thrilled with the wealth of advice and experience Raj sent back in his answers.

Rajesh, tell us your story. How is that you came to be a child author? How did that child author become an IT consultant? What lead that consultant to write this book?

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Net Neutrality 10-30-2006

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Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Don’t nix net neutrality

. . . Last year, a Supreme Court ruling and Federal Communications Commission decision declared that the Internet does not fall under existing communication service laws, putting Internet regulation in legal limbo. Since then, cable and telephone companies have been discussing how to profit from this decision. One of their ideas is to create a “multitiered” Internet.
That sound you’re hearing is the death knell of equality, or net neutrality, on the Web. Net neutrality means that after paying for service, everyone can access the Internet as fast as their connection will allow, without artificial handicaps from the Internet provider. . . .

This would give a huge advantage to content providers with deep financial resources, and make it unlikely for upstart ones like Youtube.com to succeed.

Want to know what you can do?
MA Bell Monopoly Versus the Free Internet — Tell the FCC Net Neutrality Is Not Negotiable

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Bloggy Life Question 27 — Can You Spare a Ten?

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I’m Down and Out

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life hypothetical question. . . .


A friend has fallen on hard times. He lost his job and hasn’t been able to replace it. His family is barely getting by. In fact, they’re racking up some serious debt. Now, a year later, he’s about to lose his house. He’s thinking about announcing it on his blog and asking for help — outright asking for money. Many folks from his family, your family, and your community read his blog, including possible future employers.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

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Bloggy Life Question 26 — Do You Wish to Comment?
Bloggy Life Question 25 — Would You Blog as the Opposite Sex?
Bloggy Life Question 24 — Hello, Blogger, I’m Her Parent!
Bloggy Question 23 — Would You Live Blog the Wedding?