Love this, Deidre. I'm always amazed when I see author bios that are extremely matter-of-fact and pretty much only list where they've been published and maybe where they live. My first reaction is WHAT! Don't you want to put some personality into it?! But then I become impressed (and maybe intimidated?) by the idea that maybe they are just so confident in who they are that they don't feel the need to say more. Orrrr maybe they're just a really successful writer and you can find out more about them with a Google search. 😂
I think it's really that they're coming from a background where that is what a bio was (the blurb at the end of a magazine article, for example.) It originally felt unprofessional to me to put more personal details or a chatty tone in my bio.
At any rate, I too hate writing them! I know mine is too long and weird, but there it is. I'm not sure anyone has read it anyway!
Once again you have written a brilliant and powerful essay on something that can rob us of flourishing if we let it. The bio can be a playground for our ego to think that the highest good is us being the brand. I love that you included Abolition of Man in this because Lewis is trying to get people to live from the deep well of being fully human. At one point in the book he says,
“In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”
The bio wants to make men and women without chests ( no moral compass or relational compass).
Thank you for embodying true life through cracked open bread, hearty soup and the warm embrace of a child or playful jump of a dog!
Ohhh, that quote stood out to me from the book too, Matt. And I have you to thank for finishing it. I admit that it felt like a tough read, but every time I got stumped, I remembered that it was your favorite and thought, "I must finish this!" And I'm so glad I did.
It for sure is a tough read but a good one and I’m glad you swam in those waters. There are parts of it I have to read a couple times over still, it’s the deep end of the pool in terms of what he covers. How were your other vacation reads?
They were incredible. I finished "The Knowledge of the Holy" by AW Tozer, who has changed my spiritual life considerably with his words. I also finished "Mastering the Process" by Elizabeth George, which inspired me to *someday* try to write a novel!
A favorite and yet again you say all the things I earnestly think and feel. And I love “Abolition…” A powerful and more relevant than ever read! You are a gifted soul and communicator, my friend.
Thank you, Kimberly. And yes—it was my first read of "Abolition of Man" and I found it challenging, enlightening, concerning, and prophetic. Eerily accurate, in so many ways.
"The trick is to become a walking, talking simple syrup—distilled to your basest ingredients in order to be easily ingested by others." Everything about this was stunning and spot on. I loved loved loved this.
I love the references to the Deidre I know, especially you wondering if the posing girl has actually played volleyball, which makes me remember the soccer ball you headed into the net to make a goal. And the band lessons, and the shotgun lessons (fun just to hit a can) and taking Jackie for rides. People are so multifaceted and it's fun to dig deeper than a bio and really meet them. Good read.
Thank you so, so much for this. I also hate writing bios (this is probably against algorithm rules, but they’re different on every platform), and in my short time of being here, I’ve already found myself worrying if an article I post doesn’t fit into my niche or brand *shudder* well enough. I don’t even know what that niche or brand is yet.
Anyway, thank you for the needed reminder that I’m a human who can’t be condensed into a 150-character bio. Maybe it’s just me, but I like to think that the more we let our humanness show, the more likely we are to draw the type of readers we really want to our stories.
I relate to that SO much. Especially when I lose a follower on IG or a subscriber here, I wonder, "Have I not fit into my niche well enough? What did I do wrong?" But I'm beginning to think that that's no way for a creator to live. Actually, that's no way for ANYONE to live. We must have the freedom to be billowy and dynamic and tangible!
Thank you so much, Emily! I feel so encouraged by that. And yes—I got the idea that perhaps the marketing gurus would like us all to be fragrances contained in bottles, and I couldn't get it out of my head. That line is what sparked this essay.
Yes! Our bios HAVE to be missing something, based on their limited nature. Because they can't possibly encapsulate our complexities. You're not alone in this!
Right/write on, Dee. Do please continue raging against the machine. The branding and too-concise editing you describe enforces shallow relationships. You've heard of 6 degrees of separation, I'm sure. If we had a chance to converse and get to know one another better, I'll bet it would be more like 3 degrees. We have a lot in common with our fellow humans if we get to know them on a deeper level. The superficiality required by some social media is unhelpful.
Love this, Deidre. I'm always amazed when I see author bios that are extremely matter-of-fact and pretty much only list where they've been published and maybe where they live. My first reaction is WHAT! Don't you want to put some personality into it?! But then I become impressed (and maybe intimidated?) by the idea that maybe they are just so confident in who they are that they don't feel the need to say more. Orrrr maybe they're just a really successful writer and you can find out more about them with a Google search. 😂
HA probably the the third option 🤣
I think it's really that they're coming from a background where that is what a bio was (the blurb at the end of a magazine article, for example.) It originally felt unprofessional to me to put more personal details or a chatty tone in my bio.
At any rate, I too hate writing them! I know mine is too long and weird, but there it is. I'm not sure anyone has read it anyway!
Yes to all of this!! If we are God’s image bearers, then we’re so much more than one sentence. I’m with you raging against this machine.
Yes!!
Yes! We shall revolt together 👯♀️.
I think your writing just gets better and better 🤩❤️
oohhhh man, Caroline, thank you 🥹
Once again you have written a brilliant and powerful essay on something that can rob us of flourishing if we let it. The bio can be a playground for our ego to think that the highest good is us being the brand. I love that you included Abolition of Man in this because Lewis is trying to get people to live from the deep well of being fully human. At one point in the book he says,
“In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”
The bio wants to make men and women without chests ( no moral compass or relational compass).
Thank you for embodying true life through cracked open bread, hearty soup and the warm embrace of a child or playful jump of a dog!
Ohhh, that quote stood out to me from the book too, Matt. And I have you to thank for finishing it. I admit that it felt like a tough read, but every time I got stumped, I remembered that it was your favorite and thought, "I must finish this!" And I'm so glad I did.
It for sure is a tough read but a good one and I’m glad you swam in those waters. There are parts of it I have to read a couple times over still, it’s the deep end of the pool in terms of what he covers. How were your other vacation reads?
They were incredible. I finished "The Knowledge of the Holy" by AW Tozer, who has changed my spiritual life considerably with his words. I also finished "Mastering the Process" by Elizabeth George, which inspired me to *someday* try to write a novel!
A favorite and yet again you say all the things I earnestly think and feel. And I love “Abolition…” A powerful and more relevant than ever read! You are a gifted soul and communicator, my friend.
Thank you, Kimberly. And yes—it was my first read of "Abolition of Man" and I found it challenging, enlightening, concerning, and prophetic. Eerily accurate, in so many ways.
Absolutely!!!
"The trick is to become a walking, talking simple syrup—distilled to your basest ingredients in order to be easily ingested by others." Everything about this was stunning and spot on. I loved loved loved this.
Alicia—thank you 🥹
I hate bios too;) Also, I agree with Caroline below—your writing keeps getting better and better.
Oh Sarah! Thanks for the encouragement—and the solidarity!!!
I've heard it said, 'A writer is a world trapped inside a person.' So condensing a world into a handful of words is no easy task! 😂
Amen!
I love the references to the Deidre I know, especially you wondering if the posing girl has actually played volleyball, which makes me remember the soccer ball you headed into the net to make a goal. And the band lessons, and the shotgun lessons (fun just to hit a can) and taking Jackie for rides. People are so multifaceted and it's fun to dig deeper than a bio and really meet them. Good read.
Yes, I agree! Getting to know all the multifaceted little parts of someone is what makes life (and relationships) most enjoyable.
Thank you so, so much for this. I also hate writing bios (this is probably against algorithm rules, but they’re different on every platform), and in my short time of being here, I’ve already found myself worrying if an article I post doesn’t fit into my niche or brand *shudder* well enough. I don’t even know what that niche or brand is yet.
Anyway, thank you for the needed reminder that I’m a human who can’t be condensed into a 150-character bio. Maybe it’s just me, but I like to think that the more we let our humanness show, the more likely we are to draw the type of readers we really want to our stories.
I relate to that SO much. Especially when I lose a follower on IG or a subscriber here, I wonder, "Have I not fit into my niche well enough? What did I do wrong?" But I'm beginning to think that that's no way for a creator to live. Actually, that's no way for ANYONE to live. We must have the freedom to be billowy and dynamic and tangible!
billowy and dynamic and tangible! YES! <3
"I'm not a perfume, I'm a girl!" I feel this so very much and read every word to the end because it resonated big time. Thanks Deirdre!
Thank you so much, Emily! I feel so encouraged by that. And yes—I got the idea that perhaps the marketing gurus would like us all to be fragrances contained in bottles, and I couldn't get it out of my head. That line is what sparked this essay.
I agree..No wonder i feel so awkward and feel my bios are missing something.
Yes! Our bios HAVE to be missing something, based on their limited nature. Because they can't possibly encapsulate our complexities. You're not alone in this!
Thank you. That gives me hope and freedom to express myself in a few words. Perhaps a bio is much like a haiku??
SO GOOD, friend. ✨🙌🏻
Thanks Kristi 🥰
You know I'm hooked by everything you write! Thank you for sharing!
Jess, I feel honored that you'd read my writing, and you encourage me so much with your kindness. Thank you.
Right/write on, Dee. Do please continue raging against the machine. The branding and too-concise editing you describe enforces shallow relationships. You've heard of 6 degrees of separation, I'm sure. If we had a chance to converse and get to know one another better, I'll bet it would be more like 3 degrees. We have a lot in common with our fellow humans if we get to know them on a deeper level. The superficiality required by some social media is unhelpful.
I couldn't agree more.
Well said!
Thank you, Rachael ❤️