Jeff Goins’ succinct Writer’s Manifesto has a central thesis that is summed up in the e-book’s subtitle: Stop Writing to be Read & Adored. While I admire the brevity and tone of the e-book, it seems misguided to call it a writer’s manifesto as it encapsulates the aforementioned subtitle more completely than simply standing as a general manifesto for writers.
Though I don’t think the e-book holds up as a general writer’s manifesto, I did resonate with many of Goins’ points. The first thing that made me nod my head in agreement is his assertion that real writers “do it because they cannot not write.” I felt this way when I was deciding what major to choose at the University of Georgia. The only thing I knew as an 18-year-old was that I loved to read and I loved to write. One way or another, I wanted to write, so I chose journalism (rather than the prospect-less English) to accomplish that. Even today, I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t a writer.
I also resonated with Goins’ claim that real writers are “compelled to create, to wonder, to dream, to express.” I like that he used the word ‘compel’ here… that is precisely how it feels. Writing comes natural to me, I have to admit, and I certainly feel a level of compulsion to do it.
I ought to reflect on Goins’ main point–– “the desire to be heard and acknowledged corrupts the art, the pure desire to create”–– for a moment: While I don’t wholly disagree with him, I do believe there’s a healthy level of desire to be heard and acknowledged. Certainly, focusing too much on that desire corrupts the art of the process, but I believe you should be very aware of your potential audience, as your work should always be an attempt to connect with your reader. To me, that’s an essential consideration of the writing process because it encourages you to keep the reader in mind during creation, and it encourages you to write so that your reader would want to acknowledge your work.
With that said, let me offer this caveat: I am speaking for the content writer here rather than the fiction writer. Those are two very different animals. If I was considering this e-book as the “fiction writer’s manifesto,” I would wholeheartedly agree with Goins’ main point that “the desire to be heard and acknowledged corrupts the art, the pure desire to create.” The fiction writer should be much less concerned about the audience to whom he or she is writing because the fiction writer’s work should stand alone in the sense that if it’s is great, people will be compelled to read it. But the content writer has a specific, predetermined audience and thus, she should write accordingly, which is to say, with the audience in mind during creation.
Key Insights to Remember
- “Whether the work is successful or acknowledged is not important. Creating is our primary concern.”
- “Real writers recognize that there is a hidden force. Acting upon them. Guiding them. And leading them. The wisest writers call upon this force, taking the time to learn how to wield it well.”
- “Real writers do not need inspiration or an audience to begin. They know, without question, that their greatest adversary and ally is themselves.
- “Writers don’t write to get published. They write for the love of writing.
- “This whole process of getting discovered and becoming famous. Of being revered for your wit and profundity. It’s not your call. Your job is to show up.”
- “As we care less about our audience’s affections, more people will be affected by our writing.”
What do you think of Jeff Goins’ Writer’s Manifesto? Download a copy of the e-book here.
