It’s a Very Noisy World Right Now

There has never been a moment in history when we have had so many platforms for our voices. It seems like now is the best possible time to be heard. We can reach people through Instagram, Facebook, Substack, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, online magazines, LinkedIn, YouTube, and our own websites. The barriers that once kept us from publishing our ideas have almost disappeared.

This should mean that more voices are being heard than ever before. And yet, strangely, I really feel as though the opposite is happening.

Despite all these ways of reaching people, it feels as though it’s harder than ever to be heard. The digital world is so vast, fast-moving. It chews up content like an insatiable beast. It feels like we are tiny squeaks inside some enormous loud machine. 

I don’t have an answer to this problem. But I do have an idea.

Find your niche.
Find the subject that is yours. Something you know lots about and want to find out loads more.
Make that one thing your territory.

Rather than trying to speak about everything, focus on the one area you care deeply about. The one thing you really understand. The one question you have lived with long enough to have something real to say.

Get clear on what your niche is. Then understand that your story does not have to reach everyone. It only has to reach those who recognise themselves in it.

Am putting together a panel of writers to discuss a whole bunch of issues for the Sydney Art of Writing. Larry Writer, one of our panel guests, will talk about how he found his niche when he wrote Razor. Larry is the loveliest man ever and has written biographies on extraordinary people as well as historical fiction and non-fiction. Altogether Larry has written about 30 books but Underbelly Razor took off like a rocket. All of a sudden, he was the expert on the criminal element of 1920’s 1930’s inner Sydney. We couldn’t seem to get enough of Tilly Divine and Kate Leigh. You may have seen the TV series, or maybe you saw the musical, or maybe you read one of the many spin off books. Finding that niche (and your niche can be anything) is something Larry will talk to you about during our authors panel from August 21-23. Write to me if you’d like the Sydney program. Or would like to secure your place with a deposit. 

This International Women’s Day weekend may your voice find its place in the world and the people who need to hear it.

In other news: The Art of Writing Zoom Memoir class on the 17th March is now booked out. 

But there is still room in the Major Dramatic Question on 14th April Zoom and Character and Conflict on May 12th May Zoom. These are super intense Tuesday 2-3 hour sessions on those writing problems. You’ll also receive a PDF with notes to help you remember everything because it’s A LOT!

In still other news; 

There is one place left for our Rome: Timeless Craft retreat, and it promises to be something special. If you’re considering travel at the end of the year, mid-November is a beautiful time to be in Rome. Cooler weather, fewer crowds, as the city settles into its autumn rhythm. Over four days, a small group of 7 writers will gather in our private apartment within the magnificent Palazzo Doria Pamphilj on Via del Corso for a deeply focused writing experience. Through seven teaching sessions we’ll explore the fundamentals of storytelling, character and conflict, sense of place, plot and theme, memoir, and dialogue, along with a guided writing walk and another historical walk through Rome itself. With shared meals and a special session with guest international filmmaker, director and screenwriter Anya Camilleri (pictured above), the retreat offers both craft and inspiration in one of the world’s most extraordinary cities. Plus, we are hanging out with Rome locals, all friends of mine for many years. So you will never be alone. Which I love.

More next week!

Lisa