Who do you write for?

I see that a lot in younger writers. It's a fine line. I read some stories that sound like, "Oh man this one is going into my clips because I made some funny pop culture reference!", but at the same time, you really have to "be" yourself when you write.

It's funny, you brought up the point of simple, effective writing. That's something I've learned over the years. I look back at my early clips and realize I was writing to impress. Who? I'm not sure.

A lot of writers don't realize you can write "simply" but still have a unique voice. It's a tough trick to pull off.

 

I write for my mortgage.

 

I write for Tommy Lee Jones.

 

I write for hooker money.

 

I'd ask if you were Eliott Spitzer, but journalists don't make enough to pay for those kinds of hookers. We're stuck with the crack whores.

 

I write for IPA

 

Corrected.

 

After thinking about this for a minute, I realized I write for my dad. An accomplished writer who has comfortably raised a family of four solely by freelancing, he landed me my first paid sportswriting gig when I was 12. I initially wrote for him because he was the only one reading and editing my work in the early days, and I always had to make sure he could understand my copy because he's a defense writer and his sports knowledge outside of baseball is minimal.

Interesting thread, Batman.

 

I write the story I would want to read, but I suppose I have a sort of nebulous interested reader in mind when I'm putting it together. I assume they are intelligent and craving true understanding. I also think about the players/coaches too, to make sure they would agree it was fair.

I definitely do not write for other journalists, that is for sure. I couldn't care less if my peers like my work. As long as I like it and the readers like it, all is well.

 

My least favorite kind of ale.

 

I write for those interested in the game, team, player(s), etc.

 

It may be wrong, but it feels so right.