Organizing the battlefield
When you need to be clear, BE CLEAR.
That's what happened in the short (and real) story below.
This is to be my main appearance at the Writers’ Festival in Melbourne, Australia. It is ten o’clock in the morning and there is a packed audience. I am to be interviewed by a local writer, J. F.
I step onto the platform with my usual feelings of apprehension. F. introduces me and starts asking me questions. Before I can finish what I’m saying, he interrupts me and asks me another question. When I reply, he says something like ‘that wasn’t a very clear answer’. Five minutes later, there is a feeling of unease amongst the audience; everyone can sense that something is wrong. I remember Confucius and take the only possible action.
‘Do you like what I write?’ I ask.
‘That’s irrelevant,’ F. replies. ‘I’m here to interview you, not the other way round.’
‘But it is relevant. You won’t let me finish my thought. Confucius says: “Whenever possible, be clear.” Let’s follow that advice and make things absolutely clear: Do you like what I write?’
‘No, I don’t. I’ve read two of your books and I hated both of them.’
‘Fine, now we can continue.’
The lines of battle have been drawn. The audience relaxes and the atmosphere becomes electric, the interview becomes a real debate, and everyone – including F. – is pleased with the result.
Welcome to Share with Friends – Free Texts for a Free Internet
PauloCoelhoBlog via FaceBook, 07.12.2010
That's what happened in the short (and real) story below.
This is to be my main appearance at the Writers’ Festival in Melbourne, Australia. It is ten o’clock in the morning and there is a packed audience. I am to be interviewed by a local writer, J. F.
I step onto the platform with my usual feelings of apprehension. F. introduces me and starts asking me questions. Before I can finish what I’m saying, he interrupts me and asks me another question. When I reply, he says something like ‘that wasn’t a very clear answer’. Five minutes later, there is a feeling of unease amongst the audience; everyone can sense that something is wrong. I remember Confucius and take the only possible action.
‘Do you like what I write?’ I ask.
‘That’s irrelevant,’ F. replies. ‘I’m here to interview you, not the other way round.’
‘But it is relevant. You won’t let me finish my thought. Confucius says: “Whenever possible, be clear.” Let’s follow that advice and make things absolutely clear: Do you like what I write?’
‘No, I don’t. I’ve read two of your books and I hated both of them.’
‘Fine, now we can continue.’
The lines of battle have been drawn. The audience relaxes and the atmosphere becomes electric, the interview becomes a real debate, and everyone – including F. – is pleased with the result.
Welcome to Share with Friends – Free Texts for a Free Internet
PauloCoelhoBlog via FaceBook, 07.12.2010
Belleeer - 2010-12-08 06:06
