Write for Your Audience: Write for You

Definition of a "statistician": "A person who draws a mathematically
precise line from an unwarranted assumption to a foregone
conclusion."

Does this apply to the professional writer? To the majority, yes. True
statistical use of information may be helpful in determining a
particular result. The professionals, in some forms of writing, create
far too complicated reports when they apply statistical information.
The complexity of their statements would better benefit by applying
just plain old common sense. Of course, technical writing, that which
is written for the professionals such as doctors, lawyers, CEO's, etc.,
requires statistical data and research.

Perhaps the professional should place themselves in the context of the
culture, rather than viewing from a present day perspective, then,
patients, clients, and customers would understand even the most minor
detail that the writer is trying to convey.

Try to decipher this sentence:

"Omission of uncertainty, complexity, and detail would create a logical
and consistent beginning, constituting a far better foundation on which
to develop the subtleties of advanced study than one which presents a
mass of conflicting data and interpretation to students who have not
yet developed the competence or the sophistication to judge the issues
for themselves." (This is a sentence that would never make it in a
novel)

A long-winded explanation for a simpler statement:

"We will learn how to read your professional terms, when you learn how
to write in layman terms, thereby laying the groundwork for
interpretation." Academic studies stifle the mind to the obvious, and
in the quest for professionalism, one loses sight of the commonness and
simplicity of individualism.

How many writings by amateurs have been hidden or neglected, due to the
inability or unwillingness of the professional to assist the amateur in
polishing his writings, informing one that his/her research may not be
fully accurate? Wouldn't any writer or reader worth his salt want to
know the full truth, to fill in the missing critical information, that
which ties all points together? Obliterate the usage of harsh comments
coupled with foul language, this only degrades the novice, and stifles
creativity.

Perhaps it be more beneficial to both parties to work together towards
the common goal: Creating, editing, criticizing, showing the way to
great online writing sites, books, materials. Some writers take
criticism to heart, fighting back with equally obnoxious comments.
Others let it roll off of their shoulders. The professional just keeps
on writing.

Read this quote from:

Studies in Ohio Archaeology-1966-Preface-xix-Revised Edition-Olaf
Prufer and Douglas McKenzie:

"Ohio has always been renowned in folklore and fact for the abuses of
its amateurs (with some significant exceptions). This deplorable
situation has not changed since 1967. If anything, it has worsened. The
wholesale butchery of the Riker Site in Tuscarawas County by armies of
collectors and looters is a good, and by no means unique, example of
the status of amateur investigations in Ohio. What is sorely needed is
strong legislation to curb this kind of carnage. At this time it can
only be said that most of the non-professionals and their organization,
the Archaeological Society of Ohio, have a long way to go before they
can lay claim to acceptance by their professional brethren."

Professional "Brethren?" My, aren't their heads big? I am inclined to
believe that the above statement has developed an archaic attitude in
its own right. Where would these professionals be today, had they not
started as amateurs? How would you feel if someone told you that what
you wrote was deplorable and your content was carnage? If you had all
of your facts right, this would not be an issue to you, as a writer.
You would be able to defend your statements, stripping the accuser of
his defenses.

Let's take poetry, as an example. Quite a few view poetry as writing
for sissies. (not my opinion) I started out writing poetry, extracting
from my experiences and relationships with people. Nothing flowery,
just basic. Poetry was an outlet for me, as well as a base. I published
a few poems in anthologies, paying them for my efforts. How satisfying
is that?

I classify poetry in three different areas:

Simple
Complex
Incomprehensible

My opinion. (Isn't it great that we can all hide behind this
statement?) So I am hardly one to judge a poet's writings, simply
because I cannot open my mind to the content of what a poet is really
trying to say. I like simple, straightforward poetry that I can relate
to. Would that statement stop you from writing more poetry? I hope not,
just as I wouldn't let it stop me from writing silly articles like this
one. For some, poetry is a beginning to bigger and better things, like
articles, columns, chapbooks, contests, short stories, and maybe a
first novel.

The point is: Don't judge another's work without analyzing who they
are, and what they are trying to convey. So give the little guys a
break, whether they write articles, poetry, or short stories. Help them
out when you can, and provide them with as much assistance and
information as possible, to make the successful journey to becoming a
great writer. Publication is the ultimate right of all writers, novice
and professional, and, like all other artists, their results must be
made available to public audiences. This right lies at the very heart
of professional artistic responsibility.

(c) 2000 Lisa Williams