Why Write?
Copyright
When I think back of all the old artist that I either knew or knew of most never wrote anything to leave behind. This is why we have no real known history or one has never been written. Anyone who performs has stories to tell if they would tell them.
Even a page or two of information would be of great value to other artist and there are many, many different subjects to experience and write about. For instance practice habits and problems plus dozens and dozens of other subjects. The world is as small as we let others make it.
You will gain information and sometimes not even realize what you know but in time it will come to you. Your personal experiences are valuable. I think when possible writings should be as entertaining as the act on stage.
I remember listening to an actor talk about meeting a producer for a part. The character in the part was a tough guy who did what he wanted when he wanted. When the actor met with the producer the producer pointed to a chair behind a desk and told him “sit there.” The actor started to but then he said it hit him that it didn't feel right because this character would never be ordered to sit down. So he grabbed the chair and slammed it down on the side of the desk and sat down to show the producer he was already in character before they even talked and that he would sit where he wanted. That is being prepared and good acting.
Writing your own paper or an article for a magic magazine is better than posting on line. On line any idiot can post and sabotage what you say and someone learning may have no idea who is right. If you write your own paper people can comment but not on your paper and interrupt you flow of information.
There is a certain crew of Houdini worshipers who try to compare every artist to their idol. Idol worshipers can become the worst to deal with. For instance if you are compared to a bug because Houdini played all the top bills in the world. That’s about publicity only. It has no bearing on how skilled you are. You may be as skilled or more skilled than Houdini.
If you learn the Art of Manipulation and crack a safe with the highest skills there are you have out done Houdini. He was good but not a master locksmith nor could he manipulate a safe. How do we know? With his ego the whole world would have known if he could do it. Recently I was talking to a friend and he said he just wanted to work not get famous. I feel the same way. If I had wanted to really be famous in public terms I would have kept going in the seventies. I pulled back for very good reasons. People most often do not think like that. They think the only claim of greatness is fame. We all know that is a joke.
There are famous people who couldn't get out of their shirt. Don't let the Houdini gofers tear this art down by comparing everything to a ghost. Push back. Many of these people don't even perform. Houdini had only two skills that made it all about him. His ability to exploit the idea every artist was inferior to him and the fact that he was ruthless. So don't fall under the spell of literary convenience. If anyone is trying to find Houdini’s secret of fame that is it.
Everyone has a story; everyone has individual experiences that no one will know about if you take it with you to your grave. Look at the world of magic. The subject is in constant motion with great writings all the time. This is what the world lacks.
I have said this before if you don't write about yourself someone else might. Then the question will be are they correct? Hearing from you directly removes many questions. Then there is the other side of this. No one might write about you and what you know and your history is lost like so many of the old timers that I met.
N. Bigelow
