A New Year’s Suggestion: Write Your Idols

About once a year near the beginning of the year I recommend that everyone take some time during the twelve months ahead to write a letter or two to people that they admire in the business in which they work, that are active in the art form which they enjoy. With the passing of considerable artists like David Bowie, Lemmy Kilmister and Alan Rickman in a short span of time, one reason to do this sooner rather than later should be readily apparent.

Let me suggest another reason for writing someone a letter. In an era where the output of artists is increasingly available to us on demand and on our own terms, I know that it takes an increased effort for me to develop appreciation for individual works, even ones I find powerful. I think the limiting function of the methods of distribution with which I grew up played a big factor in how attentive I was to what I was able to find and buy. I spent more time with the comics I used to read, re-read greater portions of the novels I consumed before sleeping, played a lot of the music I had over and over until I could afford more. I don't want to put a value on any of that other than I think I was personally more focused then. I was more appreciative as I consumed whatever art it was that interested me.

So I invite you to join me in writing a physical letter or two this year, tell someone out there that you appreciate them and/or their example, and why. Presented that way, just about anyone will reciprocate your attention, although many will be too overcome to directly respond. Nearly every publisher of an artist can get letters to an artist with whom they work, and most probably remember a time that passing along fan mail was a significant function of the home office. I'll even help if I can. Anyway, it's a fun thing to do, it's a nice thing to do, and it benefits everyone.
 
posted 10:55 pm PST | Permalink
 

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