For the past few years, I've been relentlessly bullish on the future of narrative writing. I've been convinced that great writing and great stories, regardless of how they are presented to readers, will succeed. That is, great writing and great stories beget more readers. In the short term, Digglike blurts and tweets might show sharper spikes, but over time, people will gravitate to good writing. The latest circ reports have a little bit for everyone, up down and across, but any report that shows Economist going strong, as is Wired, well, that's some justification for my thesis. And I don't know how much money Dan Lyons is making as Fake Steve Jobs, but people are going to the site not because they really believe he's Steve Jobs, but because he's funny and sharp as hell.
And with each example of great writing I see, I get more bullish, even when I disagree with what is said. In a wonderfully written piece in the Journal, Mark Helprin, author and WSJ contributor shows the dazzle of great writing (agree or disagree with his views at will). In an essay excoriating talk show hosts (sign me up for some of that) he notes:
As a mere print person whose words are not electrified and shot through walls, automobiles, pine trees, and brains, I realize that what I write in the bloody ink of a dying industry may be irrelevant. But from my antiquated perspective, something is very wrong.
Now, far be it from me to quibble with one of my favorite authors, especially when his main point is explicitly not about communications but about politics, but the words above I've bolded remain the one place where I continue to worry. Journalism is not going to survive by becoming more like blogs or more like digg or by embracing social networks and driving reader participation and blah blah blah, but by creating great, fresh content. Yet too often I find some of the finest journalists and storytellers arguing hard for their own demise and cursing the skills that brought them to prominence.
People. Get off your knees. Remember what brought you here. We all live for stories, regardless of how they are delivered. There is great power and value to journalism and the stories that are told in this medium. Stop arguing for your obsolescence and start delivering the future.
Thus endeth the lecture. ;)