“Platform.” Grrr!!!
Platform is one of the worst words in the world. “Platform” is what I’ve
heard an author is supposed to build. It is definitely the opposite of
writing.
I imagine an author platform as a
kind of hammered-together, high-above-the-crowd kind of stage, constructed from
the strained struts of these or those book titles. Every cross-timber is fastened
firmly by pointed blogs, various on-line presences, knocked into place with the
ever pounding hammers of social networking.
Even then, once set up, the author platform needs
constant maintenance so it can grow brighter and brighter with every media mention. Doesn't it?
Certainly, the platform must be
big, so there’s no danger of sudden plummets off the edges. At times there may be room for a few
select authors alongside but essentially the author platform is a
one-person kind of space.
I find that idea sad and scary. Alone
up there. Think about it. Here’s a
question - and a few answers.
Why does one need to
build a "platform"?
A "platform" is so
that others can hear you talking above all the other voices.
But when I write, I’m only
speaking to one person, in their head. That’s where any of my decibels come, inside my
story, not at a rally.
A "platform" is so
that the audience can see you above any others.
But I want to be seen
through my words and through the characters in my books. That’s where authors
are properly “seen”. Writing isn’t a catwalk, not in itself. Besides, it’s an
impossible task. There’s a whole crowd of “platforms” now and there’ll be more
by the time you’ve read to the end of this post. Assuming you do. Thank you.
A "platform" is so the
audience can watch and admire your performance.
This feels like the age of
the author as entertainer, or even the entertainer becoming author, as the
ill-destined TV Book Club seemed to believe. But the writing doesn’t take place
while wearing the Showcoat, or not in this house anyway.
The Showcoat is all about
using one’s performance skills to give them out there a good time. The Writing
Coat is all about keeping one’s behind on the seat, alone, for long hours.
Besides, some of the best children’s writers are not natural entertainers and
why should they be? The books speak for their authors. The comfortable
introspection needed to build imaginary worlds – or adapt real ones – is miles
away from the “Look at me dancing!” approach.
Children’s authors often
find it wearying acting the Universal Showtime person, called in to entertain
during the big Book Weeks and Literary Festivals and returning home to keeping
up with the next round of Showtime demands. Some are even – gasp! - hanging up
their blogs and stepping back to spend energies and time on the writing.
But isn’t a "platform" there so you can go places?
Oh, platform as in Harry Potter. Now you see it. Now you don’t. Only magical people
allowed. Hurry, or you’ll miss your chance.
It seems to me that that particular platform can breed the kind of
anxieties that make it hard for a writer to settle into their proper writing.
The hours get eaten up by admin, or preparation, or crafting just the right
tone of email instead of doing the real work on the page.
(Or choosing the right shoes. Definitely not platform shoes.)
Oh, wait a moment. Who is that speaking?
Pardon, mes petits! Je
suis Madam Defarge. J'ecoute le mot “platform?”
Oh yes, There’s that other
“platform” effect. Ker-chunk. It’s a bad place to be when you feel you're not
wanted any more.
Of course the “author’s
platform” offers opportunities, fun and occasional bad pinches. However, once
the platform becomes your life, you might be in trouble.
Especially when your books go out of
print or when the audience is lured to something brighter (or even greyer.) The
publicity platform can be a tricky, rickety place - and its wobbling under me right now.
Writing makes for far
firmer ground. Keep at it – and good luck!
Penny Dolan
www.pennydolan.com
Penny's latest novel is A BOY CALLED M.O.U.S.E (Bloomsbury), shortlisted for the Stockton Book Award, The West Sussex Book Award and the Historical Assocation Primary Fiction Award.