EXERCISE: Why Are You Here?
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writercisesoriginal posting: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 23:21:00 -0500
"Why I Am Here" Stories
"People won't cooperate with you if they smell a rat, and most of us sniff for rats and are suspicious of hidden agendas. If you do not provide a plausible explanation of your good intentions early, people tend to make up 'rat' reasons. Before you tell someone what's in it for them, they want to know what's in it for you...."
"... if your goals are selfish, people don't mind as long as you are up-front about it, there is something in it for them, and you frame your goals in a way that makes sense to them."
From The Story Factor by Annette Simmons, p. 12-14
OK, so along with the story of who you are, Annette urges us to tell the story of why we are here. What are you trying to accomplish? Why are you talking (or writing the story, spinning the essay, springing the poetic rhyme, or whatever we are up to)?
Don't forget, unlike your English teacher, the audience you're writing for now doesn't have to keep reading. That's a critical difference. You must reach out and keep their attention. Letting them know early what you are trying to achieve can help them decide whether they want to go along for the ride.
Why are you here? What are you planning on getting out of our interaction? What do you think will happen? Tell me what you expect, so that I can see how that fits with what I am hoping.
Who are you? What do you want?
Two simple questions.
The answers, of course, are as complex, as wonderful, and as special as you are.
Write?
"Why I Am Here" Stories
"People won't cooperate with you if they smell a rat, and most of us sniff for rats and are suspicious of hidden agendas. If you do not provide a plausible explanation of your good intentions early, people tend to make up 'rat' reasons. Before you tell someone what's in it for them, they want to know what's in it for you...."
"... if your goals are selfish, people don't mind as long as you are up-front about it, there is something in it for them, and you frame your goals in a way that makes sense to them."
From The Story Factor by Annette Simmons, p. 12-14
OK, so along with the story of who you are, Annette urges us to tell the story of why we are here. What are you trying to accomplish? Why are you talking (or writing the story, spinning the essay, springing the poetic rhyme, or whatever we are up to)?
Don't forget, unlike your English teacher, the audience you're writing for now doesn't have to keep reading. That's a critical difference. You must reach out and keep their attention. Letting them know early what you are trying to achieve can help them decide whether they want to go along for the ride.
Why are you here? What are you planning on getting out of our interaction? What do you think will happen? Tell me what you expect, so that I can see how that fits with what I am hoping.
Who are you? What do you want?
Two simple questions.
The answers, of course, are as complex, as wonderful, and as special as you are.
Write?
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