Writing a Profile of a Notable Person

Tip for profile writers: If you're writing a profile of a notable person but decide to make that piece a profile of yourself, reacting to that notable person, please ask yourself if a) you're actually all that interesting and b) if anyone is coming to the profile for you.

— John Scalzi (@scalzi) March 23, 2023

It's fine if an profiler is a character in a profile; they're not invisible in the writing process and don't have to pretend to be. Profiles don't spontaneously appear. See Tom Junod's profile of Fred Rogers as an example of how this is done well. BUT --https://t.co/zej4r9wt4M

— John Scalzi (@scalzi) March 23, 2023

There's a difference between a profiler being a character in the story to illuminate the subject of the profile, and a profiler making themselves the main character in a profile, effectively taking the spotlight for themselves. That sort of arrogation is... questionable.

— John Scalzi (@scalzi) March 23, 2023

Also, you're very likely to annoy your readers, who have been lured in by the promise of a profile of that notable person, and will discover they mostly have to wade through your weary business instead. It's good business to be straight with your audience about what they'll get.

— John Scalzi (@scalzi) March 23, 2023

In sum, if you're writing a profile, it should probably be primarily about who you profile, rather than you trying to be the main character in someone else's story. There are lots of other times/places for you to be the main character. Not everything has to be about you, first.

— John Scalzi (@scalzi) March 23, 2023