Lessons from the Neighborhood

Lessons from the Neighborhood
by Carl Christian

I was deeply saddened by the recent news of the death of Mr. Rogers. “F-R-I-E-N-D-S…Won’t you be my neighbor?” His cool little trolley going “ding, ding.” The stories, the factory visits, and even a mailman with enough time to stop and chat will be missed.

In days of meta-robot-killazoids and spell-casting wizards, we need more adults with a gentle tone speaking about values and love. Mr. Rogers was a Presbyterian minister reaching out to children. May God give us other children-lovers in the media.

What does Mr. Rogers have to do with writing? More than you might suspect. Lessons gathered from his show and life directly apply to the skill of writing. Sometimes we need to step back from the artwork itself (writing, painting, drama/TV, etc.) and look at the artist.

Find Your Voice

Mr. Rogers was himself and as a writer you need to “find your voice." Like Mr. Rogers, learn to be authentic and genuine. Many people can copy Hemingway’s style – but will you develop your own? But Mr. Rogers learned from others. He didn’t invent puppetry or story-times. But he took those tools and created a unique presentation, and a place all his own. You can, too.

Focus on Your Readers

You can also learn from him and focus relentlessly on your readers. Mr. Rogers was about children. He told them stories. He helped them cope with child-like fears, like fear of bathtubs – no, you won’t slip down the drain! He even came out of retirement and did a public service announcement helping parents talk to their children about 9-11. Writing is not all about you – and Mr. Rogers is a good reminder.

Avoid Mediocrity

Although it wasn’t obvious from the TV show, Mr. Rogers had high standards. Avoiding mediocrity is the challenge for a quality writer. He had a standard of what should be – and you can, too.

Just like raising children, your stories and books should be fully grown and developed before you send them out into the world. I fail when I send a 5-year old article out into a grown-up world. Develop, edit, proof, rethink, and sharpen your writing without perfectionism and guilt, but with an eye on quality results.

Mr. Rogers shared the values of love and doing the right thing. Mr. Rogers knew the goal wasn’t merely entertainment. Entertainment rarely, if ever, is neutral, and you should keep your writing pointed towards ultimate good. Your heart and your art should reflect God’s character.

Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Finally, Mr. Rogers accomplished what some artists and writers fail to do – he touched hearts. I was grieved by his death but I never met him. Yet the connection was there. As a writers, you can touch hearts. You may never appear on TV or put on a sweater and sing a song. Readers may never grieve when you die. However, you can connect with your readers' souls and leave a rich heritage.

You can ask your readers to be your neighbors. You can tell your readers fun stories. You can point your readers toward what is upright and beautiful. As a writer, you can stand out as an example of quality writing. Write with a loving heart, take your readers on a journey and then bring them safely home.

Just maybe, when they are finished reading what you wrote, they will miss your time together. They will miss your words, their new friends, and sharing with their hearts. They will be encouraged to good things and come away richer for the experience. They will draw closer to God and loving their neighbor. After all, isn’t that what writing is all about?