Self-examination is hard
Self-examination is hard.
Real hard when you don’t like what you see.
I consider myself a reasonably clear and direct person. Others disagree with that assessment, and in several situations I have to admit they were right.
Years ago, I ran the newsroom at the Fox O&O (owned and operated) station in Dallas-Fort Worth. Speaking to a large group of us local news managers, Roger Ailes of NewsChannel fame said something to the effect of,
“If there’s a failure to communicate, it’s the communicator’s fault.”
Photo Credit: Getty Images
I wrote it down because I wanted to think about it, along with his admonition that being busy is not the same as being productive. I agree with the second statement but no, no way is it always the fault of whoever’s trying to get a point across. Sometimes the recipient of the attempted messaging just ain’t listening, refuses to hear anything outside his belief bubble, or is busy thinking about something else.
Other times, including twice recently, with two different people, it’s entirely the fault of the would-be communicator.
Me.
I communicated poorly and caused misunderstandings and hurt feelings. I was too busy saying what I wanted to say to consider what they were hearing and how they were receiving it. There’s too much misunderstanding in this world already and I’m deeply sorry I added to it.
A former boss once told me, “You have an interesting way of communicating.” I didn’t ask him to clarify that, but there was no doubt in my mind it was not a compliment.
Which brings me around to this newsletter.
This is my first go at writing anything like this. I’ve done a few of these now and would honestly like to know what you think. I very much want to be connected with readers and potential readers of my books (and actually, with any good person who finds me even mildly interesting) but I don’t like constantly promoting and pitching a product.
(Buy my books! Parallel Peril now available on audiobook! Kidding! Not kidding. 😀)
I’m also fairly private and choose not to share my opinion on certain (many) topics, which does limit my subject matter. I will, however, share this photo of me and Jon.
We just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary. He’s a good-looking guy, isn’t he?
I have been pleasantly surprised to realize that once I get going I kinda enjoy the newsletter format, and I’d like to know what you think.
So. I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me here and let me know….
a bit about yourself
what you like and don’t like about what I’ve written so far
what you’d like me to focus on.
or just ask questions that I might answer in a subsequent issue
If you want to be specific in your feedback, you can find all previous issues newsletters published here on the website.
P.S. Oh, and to celebrate my upcoming 70th (!!) birthday, I’m also giving away free Parallel Secrets audiobooks (the first in the Vicky Robeson series). Current subscribers of this newsletter are automatically entered into the drawing. Winners will be announced July 1, 2026.
Please share with your friends too! → https://www.marialynnbarrs.com/giveaway
