Ego Sum Qui Sum

That’s Latin. It means “I am who I am.” I didn’t know that until I googled it because I just wanted to write about my big fat ego, but wanted to come up with a clever title that would make you think, “Oooo. What’s this thing Chris is talking about today?” Because there are a few types of writers, and then also, there are authors. And wow, do some of us have BIG FAT ANNOYING EGOS.

Ego is the Enemy

Ryan Holiday wrote a book by that name. Ego is the Enemy . He’s an amazing thinker, and has built quite an enviable collection of writing around one topic: stoicism. He’s pretty much the undisputed champion of modern stoic writers. (Some guy from the past is the GOAT; Holiday’s the new guy.)

Damn but it’s a really good book. Everything Holiday wrote after he fell into this lane counts as amazing/really good/mind blowing. All those words authors crave.?

Ideas - the book business - writing and speaking and presenting and all that kind of stuff, is a really tricky business, or a sneaky business, or the kind of pursuit where it’s about a lot more than what’s immediately obvious. Or it can be. (Some folks just write. Weirdos.) A lot of us write the way comics perform. We write so that you’ll think something or feel something or absorb something into you and take it with you on your day.?

We write as if it matters.?

Sometimes, we write about writing. I did . Ann did . Lots of folks have. Some of us love words the way you love your children. Or maybe the way you love that favorite uncle, because we forgive children, we lie about children’s potential, but that favorite uncle is really just who he is and nothing more, possibly something less. But we’ll always talk as if there’s not a “less” anywhere near them. That’s how writers think about their writing. Like favorites. Or garbage. Nothing in between.?

Or is that authors. Writers write to get paid. Or to do a job. I’m just messing with you. I don’t see the distinction. There’s one official distinction in that world. I’m not (nor will I ever be) a journalist, because that’s a very specific profession with a very specific (particular) set of skills. I can be a reporter, but I don’t have the schooling to be a journalist. (Sorry, Wikipedia . Fake news.)

Some of Us Write for Love

We write because we can’t not write. That’s me for sure. I have to write. You know. You’ve seen me. Over and over. I’ll never give up. Though sometimes, I’ll hate it. Because sometimes, I write garbage. (This is trending in that direction, but I have to get it out of me. I have to. It’s not even really FOR you, except I’m compelled to write as if I want you to be able to do something with it.)?

And Oh, Do We READ

Writers who write for love read a lot. We read weird things. We read unlikely things. We read whatever sticks to our thoughts and brains and memories. We look for great writing and we don’t look down our nose at any of it.?

We love it. We find something amazing and we have to share it. I do screen grabs of Rumi poems and screen grabs of Joan Didion and whatever else is rubbed into my eyes at any given time.?

Let’s Get Back to That Ego

I don’t know very many things. I don’t know much about a lot. And I’m flawed and can make so many mistakes that you wonder what on earth can this guy even - how can I still be alive? SO many people wonder that. (I can’t say.)

But I know that I understand how to write in ways that make people think, and when I’m lucky, feel. And I know what that takes. And I know how to pour myself into my writing in ways that I don’t/can’t in most any other parts of life or work.?

But that ego needs a leash sometimes. I think it helps us grow when we can defer our own ego and learn from someone else. And I believe this with all my soul: we can learn from nearly anyone.?

And so today, I’m smiling and learning.?

I am who I am.?

Chris…?