I was once the only audience member at an improv comedy show. I made all the suggestions.
Right before the show began, I looked around and wondered whether they would cancel but no, they did it just for me! It was great.
Afterward, they invited me to their cast party.
I like writing so I'd do it for one reader. Heck, regardless how many subscribers I have, it's possible that only one of them closely reads the thing every week. In the end, the commitment is to the readers and to myself. But I spend all day (and night) with myself so keeping commitments is important.
We forget this so much as artists and creatives. In a world obsessed with numbers, we also fall into that trap. But, we can always bring ourselves back to the reminder that "one loyal audience member is worth a lot more than a hundred disinterested people who're just there but aren't even looking at you."
Your essay wonderfully reminds us of the same. It felt great to read this.
There is something so satisfying to think that you are having an intimate one-on-one conversation even as you write “for the masses”—just an author and a reader, connecting. But then to write as if the auditorium is filled to capacity and make that conversation with each person still. Wow! That’s what I hope someone feels when they read my words—that I’m writing just to them. Each person (reader) deserves our 100% attention.
My husband and I saw a performance last year and had almost the same experience! Before we even entered the building, we wondered if we’d made the wrong decision. Judging from the folks going in, it looked like we might’ve been the only ones who weren’t family members ready to give away roses! But… wow. The performance was captivating, and I left wondering: “Why don’t more people know about this theatre company?? They have to know!” We felt lucky the lucky dozen or so who got to witness and enjoy the magic of that night. I love getting to support people who online and offline who are doing marvelous, authentic work even if not many people know about them yet. It feels special.
It does feel special! It feels the same when I discover a newsletter which *should* have more readers because it's well-written, and visually amazing, like yours. At the same time, you know, the more people discover something, the less of a personal relationship each one has with that thing. So in a way, I get the appeal of working for a small, dedicated audience.
Reading your writing reminds me the times when I had a forestry blog where I wrote once a week. I did it with real passion, because I love writing about nature, trees and environmental issues. No matter how many people was going to read it, I've always put all of me in those blog posts. Live got me to other paths and I stopped writing on my blog, but maybe I'll return to it some day. 🙂
Happy weekend! Always love seeing you here. And damn, I didn’t know you had a blog. Would you feel comfortable sharing a link? I’d love to take a look. Thanks for reading, loyal Sara!
I was in a theater company after college we had good nights and some "sparse ones". I remember an evening when there were more people on stage (6) than in the audience. I remember that show better than any of the others. It was liberating, in a way, doing it for the joy of it. And after the show we sat with the audience and talked, and talked... And yes, it's like writing, even for an audience of one.
Ah yeah, first drafts are damned hard. Especially when a bout of imposter syndrome hits at about the same time you start a new piece. I’m struggling with that now. But I’m finding bits about it that I like and want to develop further and that drives me on. Ever onward!
Hi Andrei, thanks for putting into words what I instinctively feel but never really thought about (if that makes any sense at all!!). And thank goodness a pilot flies just as carefully with just two passengers! Imagine if he started looping the loop, just for fun!😂. I enjoyed this a lot. Well done 🙏💕xx
I was once the only audience member at an improv comedy show. I made all the suggestions.
Right before the show began, I looked around and wondered whether they would cancel but no, they did it just for me! It was great.
Afterward, they invited me to their cast party.
I like writing so I'd do it for one reader. Heck, regardless how many subscribers I have, it's possible that only one of them closely reads the thing every week. In the end, the commitment is to the readers and to myself. But I spend all day (and night) with myself so keeping commitments is important.
That’s very true. And that sounds like a really cool experience the improv show!
I don't ever expect to have such a situation again! 🙂
We forget this so much as artists and creatives. In a world obsessed with numbers, we also fall into that trap. But, we can always bring ourselves back to the reminder that "one loyal audience member is worth a lot more than a hundred disinterested people who're just there but aren't even looking at you."
Your essay wonderfully reminds us of the same. It felt great to read this.
I’m so glad it resonated with you!
There is something so satisfying to think that you are having an intimate one-on-one conversation even as you write “for the masses”—just an author and a reader, connecting. But then to write as if the auditorium is filled to capacity and make that conversation with each person still. Wow! That’s what I hope someone feels when they read my words—that I’m writing just to them. Each person (reader) deserves our 100% attention.
Thanks for reading! I’m glad it speaks to you, CB.
My husband and I saw a performance last year and had almost the same experience! Before we even entered the building, we wondered if we’d made the wrong decision. Judging from the folks going in, it looked like we might’ve been the only ones who weren’t family members ready to give away roses! But… wow. The performance was captivating, and I left wondering: “Why don’t more people know about this theatre company?? They have to know!” We felt lucky the lucky dozen or so who got to witness and enjoy the magic of that night. I love getting to support people who online and offline who are doing marvelous, authentic work even if not many people know about them yet. It feels special.
It does feel special! It feels the same when I discover a newsletter which *should* have more readers because it's well-written, and visually amazing, like yours. At the same time, you know, the more people discover something, the less of a personal relationship each one has with that thing. So in a way, I get the appeal of working for a small, dedicated audience.
Thank you! And you know what, when I think about it for myself and Nōto, I would prefer to have a small group of dedicated and engaged readers. 😌
I think there’s lots of merit and value in that! In any case, I love what you’re doing over at Nōto!
Reading your writing reminds me the times when I had a forestry blog where I wrote once a week. I did it with real passion, because I love writing about nature, trees and environmental issues. No matter how many people was going to read it, I've always put all of me in those blog posts. Live got me to other paths and I stopped writing on my blog, but maybe I'll return to it some day. 🙂
As always is nice to read you, happy weekend! 😀
Happy weekend! Always love seeing you here. And damn, I didn’t know you had a blog. Would you feel comfortable sharing a link? I’d love to take a look. Thanks for reading, loyal Sara!
I'm afraid I don't have it any more... But I still have the original texts. Whenever I start with it again, I'll let you know 😊
Great! Yes, please do!
I've found it! Here you have the link https://digitalforestal.wixsite.com/digitalforestal
It's all written in Spanish. I hope you find it interesting 😊
The audience pays for quality either with money or coming back time and again and expects it. We owe them that much. Well said, Andrei!
🫡🫡
Lololol the emoji, if I don't zoom in, looks like an angry face wearing a meat hat XD.
I loved reading this very wise, wonderful piece again.
I’m super duper glad.
I was in a theater company after college we had good nights and some "sparse ones". I remember an evening when there were more people on stage (6) than in the audience. I remember that show better than any of the others. It was liberating, in a way, doing it for the joy of it. And after the show we sat with the audience and talked, and talked... And yes, it's like writing, even for an audience of one.
Damn, a cast that’s bigger than the audience, now that’s a picture! Thanks for sharing that.
I don’t think I can help but write my best. That’s why I have such a hard time with first drafts; I feel like they need to be my best.
I love the pilot analogy.
Ah yeah, first drafts are damned hard. Especially when a bout of imposter syndrome hits at about the same time you start a new piece. I’m struggling with that now. But I’m finding bits about it that I like and want to develop further and that drives me on. Ever onward!
Love what you do and do what you love. The rest matters little. Well, yes, there's the money equation... but money isn't real!
True, true!
Hi Andrei, thanks for putting into words what I instinctively feel but never really thought about (if that makes any sense at all!!). And thank goodness a pilot flies just as carefully with just two passengers! Imagine if he started looping the loop, just for fun!😂. I enjoyed this a lot. Well done 🙏💕xx
Thanks a lot for reading, Francesca! I loved the pilot analogy too; really brings everything into clear perspective, doesn’t it?