Defense can take any number of disguises.
A couple of months ago I posted a note about branding and used Harlan Ellison as an example.
Harlan was a divisive figure.
Opinions on him are split in two camps.
He was a brilliant, imaginative, flamboyant writer.
He was also difficult to engage with.
Some would say prickly.
Some would say he was a prick.
He projected a confrontational and aggressive attitude towards fans and producers of film and TV.
He was litigious, and engaged in many lawsuits in his career. The most notorious was the lawsuit against the producers of James Cameron's The Terminator.
Yet in his autobiography, Isaac Asimov said this was a front, and Ellison was kind and caring.
This is an opinion that has been confirmed by other people close to Ellison, such J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5 and the executor of Ellison's literary estate.
But Ellison navigated a dangerous world.
The world of fandom.
Sci-fi and fantasy fans are some of the most dedicated and adoring fans of their favorite creators.
But this idolatry hides a nasty side in some of the fans.
Entitlement.
The twisted belief that your favorite creators owe you more than the book, comic book, movie, or game that you bought.
A sale is a value exchange between two parties.
When you buy the thing your favorite creator made, you already got your value.
Anything they offer after that, such as a photo op or an autograph, is an optional extra.
If they choose to make themselves somewhat available at a comic con or book expo, be grateful.
I've been to comic cons and have seen fans behave in disgusting ways towards creators who are being gracious in these awkward situations.
So I see why Ellison, in such an environment, would present himself like a Rottweiler to the people that stand in front of his table with a books to sign.
Ellison wrote about this in an essay titled Xenogenesis.
Do you find yourself having to create a false front when in the presence of certain people? An aggressive front? An evasive front?
Likely we all do this some times.
Ellison just did it in a semi-public arena.
But as you build your audience here and elsewhere, be aware you’re not setting boundaries because you’re afraid of upsetting potential subscribers.
Seth Godin said “Pick your clients and you pick your future.”
Identify who you are for and dedicate your focus to those clients.
That persona gives priority to his people.
The inverse effect of narrowing your client base expands your creative range.
The clarity that comes with knowing who you are for reroutes brain power towards your creative powers.
Be professional, but when you sense condescension and hostility, put an end to it before it escalates.
Like Patrick Swayze says in Road House. “Always be nice, until it’s time not to be nice.”
Harlan Ellison was so badass he would write short stories in bookstores where he was doing book signings.
This is short and powerful. Thanks, I’m bookmarking this as a reminder about boundaries.
This is the path. Believe me, I know. I'm glad you posted it, it needed to be shared. Good on you! :)