A Subliminal Kick in the Pants

There’s been a lot written about social networking lately, mainly because there’s a lot to say. However, I’m going to share with you, my writer friend, the single greatest benefit of using Facebook. Trust me, you will not find this kind of sage advice anywhere else online (I already checked). And despite what you may be thinking…I’m not kidding.

Everyone knows the obvious benefits of sites like Facebook. It’s a quick and easy way to catch up with old friends and keep up with current ones. And it’s way less awkward than trying to meet 600 different acquaintances for coffee and trying not to stare at each other's receding hairlines, expanding waistlines, graying teeth, or ever crinkling skin. You can chat without regard for wardrobes, halitosis, or those embarrassing white tufts of partially masticated foodstuffs that cling to the spots where your teeth meet your gums. No social demerits for looking at your watch or unsightly scratching or watching TV while “talking” to your friends. And if you need to make a quick exit, you can always fake a bad internet connection and “go offline.”

Then there’s the wide variety of embarrassing photos, trivial updates, and the sharing of deliciously entertaining videos like the one Chris Fisher’s wife recently discovered and shared with the rest of us. For proof, click here, please...

But now I’m going to share with you the heretofore greatest unknown benefit exclusively for writers. Whether you suffer from procrastination, writer’s block, lack of inspiration, or any other writerly malady, you’re only one click away from the Facebook antidote.

This admonition appears on virtually every one of the millions of pages on Facebook. You cannot get away from it. No matter where you click, Facebook will relentlessly invite…nay, command you to write something...

It’s reminiscent of Nike’s famous “Just do it” campaign, only better. But the words “do” and “it” are vague, anemic, and directionless. Plus, every writer knows you’re supposed to avoid the word “just”, right?

But there’s real power in the incessant urging to “Write something…” It begins with a solid action verb and ends with an invitation to follow your muse. The elliptical ending gives the writer license to explore, create, and go a little nutty.

I mentioned before that this motivational nugget appears on nearly every page. And it does...every page, that is, but your own.

Do you see the subtle psychology at work here? All you, the writer, have to do to get yourself properly motivated is to click away from yourself. As soon as you stop thinking about you and start moving in community, you find the gentle prodding (or stern rebuke, depending on your state of self-loathing at the time) to get your writing done. Nothing good comes from exhausting all our brain cells on our business (plus, it seems a little creepy for someone to spend too much time on their own page).

There’s a circular beauty at work here as well. When we find ourselves uninspired to write, our natural inclination is to click around the internet. When we eventually navigate our way onto Facebook we’re subliminally encouraged to do two things—focus on someone other than ourselves and to go write something.

So there you have it. Go forth and be ye inspired.

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Michael Snyder needs to take his own advice and go write something…

Comments

[Jeanne Damoff]

That video. Wow.

[Madison Richards]

Never thought of it that way - ever! Brilliant!

Thanks Mike!

[BJ Hamrick]

Quite frankly, this post makes me feel... inspired. :)