Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of writing authentically for oneself rather than catering to the expectations or approval of others.

Abstract

The author of the article, likely a writer themselves, reflects on the common advice given to writers to "write for yourself" and the struggle to follow through with this in practice. They critique the tendency to chase external validation through writing, such as money, love, or attention, and the futility of trying to game the system for success. The article advocates for a personal and rebellious approach to writing, suggesting that true satisfaction comes from creating content that aligns with one's own interests and values. The author outlines a list of personal "rules" for writing, which include crafting unique headlines, using original visuals, employing alliteration, being vulnerable, bending grammar rules for creativity, infusing humor, avoiding a narrow niche, embracing surprises, and prioritizing learning. The author challenges themselves and others to write 30 articles that genuinely reflect their personal tastes and preferences, asserting that this is the path to true fulfillment in writing.

Opinions

The author believes that writers often compromise their creativity and integrity by writing for others instead of themselves.
They express skepticism about the effectiveness of trying to please algorithms or trends for writing success.
The author suggests that the pursuit of external rewards like money, love, or attention can lead writers away from authentic self-expression.
They advocate for writing that is true to one's own interests, even if it means going against popular advice or trends.
The author emphasizes the importance of originality in writing, from headlines to artwork to turns of phrase.
They encourage vulnerability in writing, sharing personal experiences and perspectives, even if it's uncomfortable.
The author values creativity and personal expression over strict adherence to grammar rules.
Humor is seen as an essential element that can enhance even the most serious topics.
The author rejects the idea of confining oneself to a specific niche and prefers to write about a diverse range of subjects.
They express a desire for writing to be a process of discovery and learning, both for the writer and the reader.
The author challenges themselves and other writers to produce work that aligns with their personal tastes and to enjoy the process of creation without being overly concerned with the outcome.

Write For Yourself, They Say! But What Does It Really Mean?

On finding my voice

Write for yourself! Great idea, thrown around a lot. As writers, we see it, read about it and nod knowingly. But we don’t follow this good advice and we write for other people anyway. We toss ourselves under our own short bus and drive like we stole it. Did you hear a thump from under the vehicle? That was our creativity and integrity, being crushed under a tire and left in the dust.

We waste hours trying different headlines to try to get others to read our junk. Then we second guess and change them again, because obviously, people really didn’t like it. The topic, the way the wind is blowing, or the quality of the writing had no bearing. The fact that algorithms didn’t algorith the story the way you wanted because it was Wednesday and the math said no stories about Tuesday, had no bearing.

So just remember; it’s turtles all the way down. Or as I like to put it; it’s biscuits in every aisle.

— world famous author Emily Wilcox

We edit old articles and wonder what went wrong when we failed to take over the world yet again. But it’s biscuits in every aisle. Maybe there is no answer. Rehashing our mental hash from our yesterday self, even though the past has passed.

We worry that people won’t like our shit.

But all of this stuff isn’t writing for ourselves now, is it? This is writing what we think everyone wants to read, so they will like us and give us either money or love or attention. But really we want all three of these external rewards, because that will mean that finally, we don’t suck! We are a winner and we proved it by gaming the system.

We spin our wheels trying to do the impossible and replace our everything else of a career with writing in 30 days, start to finish. All because we read that someone else did it, although there isn’t actual proof. But they typed it up, so it must have happened, right? Someone writing about making bank wouldn’t lie to you would he?

I’m Going Against The Grain And Actually Creating Just For Me.

Take it or leave it. I’ve always been a rebel, so here’s one more fist waving at the sky, waiting for a lightning strike. I’m going for broke with this, starting now. I am writing for myself.

But what do I like?

I better make a list, because how else will I hit the buttons that I want nuzzled? It’s good to have targets! Here’s some of the things I love and want to create. Are any of your favorites on this list?

I guess if this list annoys you, we probably can’t be extra special read/write friends. I won’t hate you or anything, but I’m not saving my last Tic Tac for you. You’ll have to get your own.

Things I Love To Read

This is my list! Feel free to disagree, but it won’t make any difference to me. I’m narrowing it down. I’m going to try and tick off these boxes. But not for you. I’m doing this for my main dude, me.

It’s a bonus if working this list makes me popular and I end up taking over the world. I would be pretty grateful if writing this new way earns me the title of Most Successful Human Being Alive! But I will settle for being really happy with what I create, and enjoying the process. Here’s my “rules” that I will follow except for when I don’t want to:

Write catchy headlines that are different! Not “Five Ways To Write A Boring Thing”. How about some variety? Mix it up already! No one is mentioning tin foil. It’s something to consider for my next headline.
Use photos and artwork that is unusual or unique! I want to avoid having a photo that was already been used 1,000,000 and 56 times. Nothing is as off putting as article number five with the same picture.
Find or make or borrow original turns of phrase. Except when unoriginal ones are better! It’s turtles all the way down after all. Or As world famous writer Emily Wilcox likes to say, it’s biscuits in every aisle.
Alliteration Abounds in my special abode. Not only is it allowed and accepted but asked for by name. Alliteration is the rhyme that begins, becomes and bequeaths, so never besmirch it!
Be vulnerable and put myself out there. Real writing has vulnerability. It shares some soul and shows the dark, shadowy side. It goes where maybe you didn’t want it to. But shining light in corners is my business and business is good! Just remember to not shine the flashlight under that short bus. Too many bodies.
Grammar is great until it gets in my way. I like to read things that give me a little thrill of discovery, almost like I’m listening to music. I don’t care if it follows the rules beyond making it readable and somewhat acceptable. Nothing says creativity and happiness like good old grammar, am I right? Go away, grammar police. This isn’t your jurisdiction.
Humor fits in anywhere that you can find ants. Which is everywhere but a few really shitty places that no one in their right minds wants to go, like Antarctica. (That’s pretty ironic, isn’t it?) Funny stuff is fun. I like fun. Even the most boring or terrifying or sad or respectful topic needs a dash of fun. But please, no ants.
I will not “niche” myself. I don’t like the word niche. It’s a lot like moist. Something I will strive for is to never be placed in a dark, damp, dank, disgustingly moist niche. Please keep your niches to yourself, thank you very much. I will write about everything and enjoy it. I leave it to others to niche up.
I like surprises. I like opening boxes and going “Wow! Didn’t see that one coming!” I aim to surprise even me. But please! Don’t send me any boxes with body parts in them. While the initial shock is great, the smell tends to linger way too long. A box of biscuits would be totally fine. Just no fingers or anything weird.
I like to learn something. I’m always eager to grow and discover. A day without learning is like a day with no learning. I don’t want that kind of sad, learning-less day where I don’t learn stuff. I will write to educate myself. If someone else learns something too, bonus time!

Do you want to write for yourself? I urge you to do some self exploration. Don’t just regurgitate what everyone else does — unless that’s what you love! Then get regurgitating! Think about what you want to see out there, and then try making that.

This is it, people. I’m throwing down the gauntlet. A challenge to myself and anyone else who thinks they can enter this ring. 30 articles written just for myself. I’m including this one because I love it and it’s speaking my language.

What do you think? Could you do it too? Let me know below!