Purpose, Responsibility and Integrity

I often wonder what truly drives most writers to write.
It is that burning desire, or compulsion to get their innermost thoughts, plots, revelations and passions out to the public?
Some write only for themselves. They have no public readers. Much like the diaries we had as kids, journals, private blogs and sites allow some to just share what they need to say just to commit it to time and place.

Depending on the genre, you can sometimes get a feel for what motivates the author.

Novelists often have to tell "the great story". And thank God some of them have.
Poets have to wax poetic. They just have to. It's not a genre that I can fully understand or embrace, but there are some poems, hymns and other pieces that truly do make me feel something. And that, I believe, is why they write.

In the reality-based genre you have true crime, how-to, public commentary, journalism, travel guides, cooking, and so on. This is where it gets sticky.
Even in a historical novel, there has be basis in fact. You can't treat a reader as if they're stupid. If your story is placed in time, the setting and surroundings have to ring true. If they don't, the reader will shut you down in a heartbeat. You've lost them.
Some writers, especially in journalism truly desire to share the truth with the world.
Some are compelled to write with the greater good of the public in mind. They are acting on a need to serve.
On the other hand, some are egocentric. It's not so much the guts of the story but their notoriety for extremism that they strive for.

I've learned that there is a true relationship that can and should be formed with the reader.
The reader extends to you the courtesy of their time and tentative interest.
The writer owes it to the reader to be honest and genuine. And treat the reader with respect.
The writer needs to keep his or her promises to the reader. If you promise follow up, you need to follow up.
If you let the reader down, you decimate the true relationship. The reader learns that the writer can't be trusted and holds no integrity.
It's like dangling a carrot in front of the reader and never letting them have it, despite the promise that one day they'll have that carrot.
Investigative journalism can be gritty and sometimes even dangerous.
If the reporter is indeed on the trail of misconduct, shady happenings and secret scandal, there are those that don't wish the truth to be found out or presented for all to see.
If the revelations of the reporter aren't backed and supported by quantifiable proof, the article or piece ends up being nothing more than a painless jab at the subject.
The longer I write, the more I pay attention to other writers. And I wonder what makes them write.
In some cases it's clear. In others, you can't really be sure.
We all form opinions about the authors we read. Nicholas Sparks doesn't do it for me. Seriously. The last novel I read from Sparks angered me for days. I kept waiting for it to "get good". I was sure that soon I would get to the page where it would all become electric and interesting. It never happened.
Bland and unmoving. To the very end.
He's lost me for good.
No worries, though. He won't miss my dollars on his next novel and there are plenty of other authors for me to read.
My focus right now is on true crime and the impact it has on the victim's family.
It's a "slippery slope" to be sure. But having been able to interact with families of crime victims who have been in the position to see the evil that rained down on their lives, I am now looking at the work of those authors in a far more serious light.
I believe there is a duty owed to the families and the victim.
They deserve to have the truth presented, not skewed or swayed, even to make the victim look more or less than they were in life.
But above all else, their loved ones, families and lives should never be picked over for profit or sensation.
I'll reserve judgement on the upcoming book about the Roseboro murder trial.
Many are surprised at my position and opinion on this, given my love for writing.
I do not support all authors or their motives hands down, without review.
Many were offended by the offering of Mr. Phelps that he would champion Jan Roseboro's memory or character. That was clearly offensive. He never met her, and he'd never know her name had she not been brutally murdered and then cast into to the public limelight. She became a source of profit by publication.
It would be disingenuous to throw "championing" Jan Roseboro as a motive, to the masses, if it's not the truth.
What is wrong with stating that you simply want to tell the story?
The anger at his words came from him sounding rather vitriolic in his purpose. It was overkill, no pun intended.
Just write the book and save the speeches about why you're doing it.
There is a natural anger and resentment felt by loved ones when a stranger swoops down and feasts on their tragedy for profit or fame. Just ask anyone in that position.
The families feel as if the victim is being hurt all over again.
Keep your motives real and honest.
Those that wish to know the story as you have researched it and presented it, will read it.

There used to be such a sense of integrity and truth in the writing realm.
Now it's about dollars and traffic.
And anyone with a computer can call themselves a writer or a reporter. You don't need the credentials at the outset.
But you do have to prove yourself.
Don't mistake numbers and activity for readers respect and admiration. Some read just to see the latest trainwreck.
It's like listening to someone rant and scream endlessly about everything.
After a while, people will tune in just for the entertainment of hearing the noise. The content no longer matters.

What any writer needs to focus on is the truth. Whether it be in a novel, a web blog, a news article or a product review. Do your homework and above all else, keep your promises.
As a society, our attention span is dwindling fast. We can't keep focused on fluff or unkept promises.
If you truly deliver, they'll read and keep reading.
For all the right reasons.

Accountability and integrity need to matter as much as the profits. I refuse to believe there can't be a meeting of those facets.