From time to time I’m asked what I write about. Usually there is an anticipatory raised eyebrow in case the answer might be a little ribald or salacious, or even high-brow. But when I say I write across a fairly broad spectrum of topics, the eyebrow lowers a little, almost reflecting disappointment. And I think that’s because many assume a writer specializes in one area or another. And that’s true for a lot of writers I know. Just not me.
If I specialize in anything its corporate scriptwriting, which basically means I write scripts for companies, ad agencies or entities that are producing a film or video project of some kind. But even there the subject matter is still extremely varied. And when it comes to magazine articles of which I write a fair amount, the subject matter is littered all over the place.
And that’s part of the fun of writing.
So just for kicks, here’s a smattering of topics and the venues they were written for just to give you a taste. . .
- A magazine profile of director Robert Clouse, best known for directing Bruce Lee in his last, most famous film, Enter The Dragon
- A script for a documentary on the emerging technologies that Hewlett-Packard helped augment in India and South Africa.
- A magazine essay on a blind horse who had once been a world champion roping horse but was now relegated to a pasture whose dinner bell sound was a human voice (mine).
- A short story for a magazine about a widower who discovers a dead plesiosaur in Puget Sound…only to find empathy with its grieving mate.
- A radio script for Carharrt clothes tailored for actor Sam Elliott that eventually never saw the light of day. . .dangit.
- A ten page brochure for a medical liability company in Texas, written from the point-of-view of doctors at different stages in their careers.
- A magazine article on a hundred year-old school in an isolated, windswept corner of North Dakota that was purchased by a former student who turned it into a unique bed & breakfast.
- Created Taglines for engineering companies, small businesses and even a sea salt caramel maker who I happen to think has the greatest recipe in the world.
- A magazine article telling the story of having lunch with writer Horton Foote one wintry day in New York City.
- A humorous script for a well-known financial firm’s annual meeting video, featuring their CEO doing his best to fit into British society.
- Scripts for a series of podcasts sponsored by USAA to help young people better understand finances and handling money.
So is it better to specialize in one area of writing or to be a generalist?
The answer is yes.
Both have advantages. Both have their downsides.
But both have this in common; they both need to be written.
And therein lies the opportunity. The privilege to be paid to produce words that create worlds for people to enter.
And as always, the chance to make the words better the next time.
There’s always that.
