Nothing we do or say
is truly original.
It all builds on
something someone else
has said or accomplished.
Rebel Wilson recently
got into trouble
for claiming to be
the first plus-sized rom com
star.
(She later made things much worse
by her reactions
to being called out about this.)
She isn’t the first.
Not by any stretch
of the imagination.
I have very little knowledge
of movie history
and even I know that.
I understand, however,
why she wanted that claim.
If it had been true,
it would have made
her movie more
news-worthy.
But acknowledging the people
who have went before her
would have endeared her
to those stars’ fans.
She would have looked knowledgeable,
respectful, a decent, generous person.
THAT can be as powerful
marketing-wise
as being ‘first.’
Whenever I promote my books,
I acknowledge other writers
who came before me.
This is a decent thing to do
and it increases the odds
readers will try my books.
It also gives my books the illusion
of authority.
Acknowledge the people
who have gone
before you.