Memoir: Writing for Myself, Writing for You

Every time I write, I am keenly aware of my audience—the ones who might one day read my words, the ones I imagine sitting across from me, as if we are face to face, eye to eye. I appreciate them, these invisible readers who bring their own perspectives and experiences to the table. And yet, as much as I hold them in my mind, I understand that for my words to truly resonate, I must first write for myself. I must write with the passion and authenticity that only comes from engaging with something I know, something that speaks to my core. Because without that inner connection, my words are hollow, and my audience, perceptive as they are, would surely know it.

To write effectively, I must be fully invested. When I am deeply interested in what I’m writing about, that interest translates; it becomes a bridge between my ideas and my audience’s engagement. I have to write on topics I truly know or am passionate about, drawing from genuine understanding, so that when my words reach others, they carry weight, depth, and conviction. Writing without passion is like delivering a speech you don’t believe in—your words may flow, but they won’t land. For a persuasive argument to resonate, it must be something I, as the writer, am wholly convinced of.

But writing persuasively is never simply a one-sided exercise. It’s about anticipating counterarguments, respecting those opposing views, and addressing them in a way that honors my audience’s intelligence and perspective. I know that when I write, not everyone will agree. In fact, I welcome the dissent; it keeps the conversation dynamic, alive, and meaningful. Through respectful rebuttal and thoughtful consideration, I engage in a dialogue—not a monologue—synthesizing all views, my own included, until I arrive at something richer than where I started.

So, I write for myself first. I write with conviction, with passion, and with the knowledge that to engage my audience, I must start from a place of truth within myself. But I also write with the goal of “selling” my ideas, of conveying my perspective as convincingly as I can. To do that, I rely on facts, scientific evidence, and reliable sources, weaving together a foundation that strengthens my argument and demonstrates my respect for those who will read my words.

Ultimately, writing for myself and writing for my audience are not opposing goals. They are, in fact, two sides of the same coin. When I am deeply invested in what I write, that sincerity becomes my message, my means, and my appeal. It is in writing for myself that I truly write for you, inviting you to see as I see, think as I think, and perhaps, even feel as I feel.