...upon wishing to be the most read blogger in Fresno...

How to say this.

Be careful, you never know if you'll get what you wish for, --and then sometimes? the quest was more fun than actual arrival...
(...sort of how I wound up at Fresno to begin with...)

Regarding going after such a goal?
-If you want to be read by everybody,
simply write stuff that everybody wants to read...

(Which,
sorry,
in this town '...what everybody else is going to worry about _________ ' is somewhat already a bit of a sickness.)

So, you can achieve your goal easily, but it will feel quite hollow.

My advice?
(hey, it's free...)

Write what you care about, and don't be afraid to write what you really think about something,
(use discretion, as names and events toooo close to home can raise hackles...)

But the last thing this town needs is one more person pandering to an audience, (it's demeaning to them, and demeaning to you...)
The best writers realize that they have a voice, and that all voices are worthwhile and unique.

-Just be sure to be you.
Reason I say this?

No matter who you try to be, -eventually who you are comes out... and they're going to want to read or not...

Be tactful, be truthful, (not mean,) and remember that there are humans with feelings on the other end of all things,
(If you are going to attack something? try to attack a concept or behavior, (it's more effective, and is kinder than going after an individual,)
-And if you need to slaughter it?
Be sure of your facts, and then dispatch it as you would a rabid dog, as directly and mercifully as possible.
-Keep in mind, people are hopelessly welded to their opinions in this town, and that sometimes the fiercest responses meant simply that you hit home.

Not everybody is going to like you or your views.
Too bad, they're yours, and (at worst,) you'll encourage someone else to really think about why what you said is correct or rubbish, -and maybe they'll write something too... (and break out of their silence and apathy.)

If you write long?
Write long, and do so well.

If you write short?
Terrific... just make sure that you really get your point across.

(For all the pissing and moaning I get about 'being brief,' I am continually SHOCKED at how many people still read my stuff and say
'....yeah, usually I die by the end of the first page, but today you really hit on something... thanks.'
-I'm just glad that somebody finds it of use.

But in your own mind, address someone, and then raise the barre just a little higher, -to make them think.
(Challange people, really challange them.)

(Too high all the time? you'll loose and offend them,)
Not high enough, and too easy to get?
They're going to wonder why they read you, and you'll just become another part of a beige world.

That (usually,) would be your job as a writer...

But in your own blog?

Write whatever you want.
It's yours, it's about your life in Fresno, and that's fair game, (though others will say that it's supposed to be 'strictly municipal,' -If you're here, and have feelings about it?
Game on.

Bon Voyage

-E. Field