Make me care.
I ran across this three-word piece of advice to
writers last night, and I thought, “Of course. What else is there?”
This morning, after having a chance to sleep on
those three words (so to speak), I’m reminded that there is plenty of good
writing out there, but not everyone cares about it. So, it may be the writer’s
job to make readers care, but the writer cannot do it all by himself.
It’s like an English teacher presenting grammar
material to his students. He can see it in their eyes. “Make me care.” How? How
can he do it? Learning grammar will never be like watching a Die Hard movie. It will never be like
playing Halo. And it will never be
like making a great dunk or jump shot.
Perhaps, then, the statement must be spoken by
each individual for him- or herself. When we’re not interested in something,
don’t think it has any direct meaning or value for us, we need find ourselves a
mirror, look ourselves straight in the eye, and tell ourselves straight-up, “Make
me care.” We have to find a way, each of us, to connect.
Caring develops. With practice.
What’s the best way to make yourself
care about things you’re just not that interested in?
Excellence can be obtained if you:
… care more than others think is wise;
… risk more than others think is safe;
… dream more than others think is practical;
… expect more than others think is possible.
-- Author unknown
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