The Art of Adaptation

As I search for writing gigs, I find myself making a big deal about my ability to adapt to change. But what is adaptation anyway, and how does it apply to writing? This blog is a result of my musings on adaptation. I hope you enjoy it.

The Art of Adaptation

Words can be like a tailored business suit—confirmative and structured. Words can be like a little black dress—socially acceptable and polished. Words can be like a pair of loose fighting yoga pants—relaxed and easy. Words can be like a saucy bathing suit—daring and risqué. Words can be like a seductive nightgown—intimidate and exclusive.

When we go to our closet, we chose the articles of clothing that best represent our activities of the day, and, so too, do we choose our words to fit the audience that we intend to write for. However, the choice of words and structures are rarely as simple as a choice between a pair of yoga pants and a business suit, and a writer often finds herself adapting as she writes. This is sometimes known as editing; however, adaptation, I believe, is a process all to its own.

As children, we learn to phrase things differently to Mom than we would to Dad if we want to get an extra cookie. So, too, do we phrase things differently when we want to be considered for that dream job or to please a professor—or ourselves. Therefore, adaptation is the art of doing it all—although not necessarily all at once.

Effective adaptation can be broken down into three components:

• Knowing your audience
• Knowing yourself
• Knowing time

Audience

            Adaptation requires knowing your audience, and—whenever possible—creating the audience that you want for what you are writing about. For example, there is a difference between writing a piece for a publication, and chosing a publication after the piece has been writen. Think again about the clothing metaphor that I opened this blog with. When you choose an outfit for an office party, that outfit is perfectly tailored for the occasion; however that does not mean that you can’t –and won’t—wear that outfit to other events. Regardless, you will—likely—not wear this outfit to the gym. Likewise, not all pieces will go—or should go—to the same place. As a recent graduate, many of my pieces were written for a specific class, and thus I did not have a choice regarding my audience; however, my personal preference is to write for myself first and then figure out what party I want to go to.

            The first step to understanding your audience requires that you understand their point-of-view. The next step is to determine if you point-of-view aligns with your audience’s point of view. If not, the differences will need to be identified. Once identified, those differences will need to be addressed in some fashion. Keep in mind that an effective piece does not have to mirror the audience’s views, but the piece should, at least, acknowledge or address them in some way. Also, acknowledging alternate points-of-view also has the added benefit of increasing your own credibility. If points-of-view are irreconcilable it is ok to move on and find an audience that will be receptive to your piece. In fact, you may find that choosing the correct audience for a particular piece is essential—whatever that piece may be. Sometimes, what can be said to Mom cannot be said to Dad and to try to do so would be futile.

Truth

Successful adaptation requires knowing yourself as well as knowing your audience. Knowing yourself requires knowing your truth. I find that embracing my personal truth is always the best way to go. Therefore, the more that you can find a way to include your own truth into the adaptation process the more successful a piece will be. Yes, it is important where the piece is going, and who is going to read it; however, it is equally important that your own truth remain fully recognizable on the page. For example, I once had a professor who was adamant that GMO crops benefit humanity. As an organic loving girl, my personal truth—backed up by data—was/is in opposition. In this case, I found that the best way forward was to introduce the idea slowly in a different thesis. So, I changed my argument to focus on the Honey Bee and the consequences of colony collapse on life as we know it. By doing this, I was able to stay in my truth, and incorporate some of the data about organic and sustainable farming practices without being in direct opposition to the professor’s staunch position. If you can’t change your audience, can you change the topic? In some cases, this may be the best option available, and it allows for controversial idea(s) to be introduced in alternate ways—ways that may ultimately prove to be more effective to getting your view across.

Know Time

            Adaptation requires knowing time. Sometimes, choosing when you write a piece is also a part of strategic adaptation. Do you have the distance and perspective that you need to truly convey and communicate your stance on an issue? A professor once told me that in order to write a good memoir piece that you need to have at least seven years distance from an event. While I disagree with that quantification, there is truth in the fact that distance requires the passage of time. To use a cliché, “hindsight is 20-20.” Distance allows for us to see the full spectrum without being caught up with emotion, agendas, or hoped for outcomes. Therefore, distance can only be achieved when detachment occurs. Prior to that, it is best to journal so that details are not lost and can be of use to you later. In addition to asking yourself if you have enough perspective to write on/about a specific topic it is also necessary to consider if you are ready to write about it. Is this the right season to write what you want to write? I think, here, about the money argument that so many people make when deciding whether or not to have children. On paper, there is rarely enough money—but there always is. Similarly, it may feel like its never the right time to write what you want to write. Sometimes, people will get hurt by what you intend to write. However, sometimes staying in your own truth requires that you do it anyway. Sometimes, you just need to take out that Winter coat and declare it to be Winter.

Thoughts to Ponder

Adaptation is a never-ending process. As we grow into our own strengths our words change; what we say changes; how we say it changes—but strategic adaptation never does. So before writing your next piece (be it a sales pitch, a creative work, or an academic essay) ask yourself the following questions:

• What is your truth?
• Does the subject matter align with your truth?
• Is this the correct audience for this piece?
• Is this the right time for this piece?
• Can you incorporate or address alternate points-of-view into your piece? If so, what?