Recently on Facebook I posted the words of Louis Auchincloss: “To most readers the word ‘fiction’ is an utter fraud. They are entirely convinced that each character has an exact counterpart in real life and that any small discrepancy with that counterpart is a simple error on the author’s part. Consequently, they are totally at a loss if anything essential is altered. Make Abraham Lincoln a dentist; put the Gettysburg Address on his tongue, and nobody will recognize it.”
I totally agree with Louis Auchincloss, and so did Ahmed Maiwada- a Nigerian Writer and Author of a Fiction Novel titled ‘MUSDOKI’- who commented below my post saying: “@Iweka, Louis Auchincloss is surely not Nigerian. Therefore, I am shocked to see that this (readers’ attitude) is not just a Nigerian thing! Makes me feel better now on the reaction I got from some readers after reading my novel, that it is a ‘distortion of history’. It did not matter that I got hoarse shouting that I did not write history, but FICTION, people!”
I related immediately with his response as I also have been a victim of what I have now termed ‘Readers’ Mindset’. And I replied him saying: “@Ahmed, I have come to embrace comments from readers as they come, whether they be relevant, complimentary or just have an awful taste of ignorance. As writers, our duty is to write, essentially, as much as we are inspired to, then the readers are free to make their own derivations, judgements and conclusions.”
It is a rare ability, somewhere near the class of super powers, for a reader to view and appreciate the work aside the writer. The funny thing though is, those who wield such a gift are better readers and critics and even fans than those who are a lot less favoured.
As Writers we cannot enforce objectivity or maturity on our readers, but we can do our best to give them works that are free of biased opinions and inclinations, except of course where they are necessary or intended.
You have to also keep in mind that the battle of perception and opinion of your work cannot be won by you; the reader has the final say eventually. If whatever you intended to convey is not embraced by the reader just the way you intended, then you should be prepared to accept such eventuality.
Once you put your work out there it will benefit you to prepare yourself for the worst of comments, no matter how good you think your work is, or how much time you put into it. It will be unwise to engage a reader in an argument just because he/she didn’t quite notice the brilliance embedded in your work, or comprehend your message, or style or whatever about your work.
Understanding that your readers are a group of independent minded individuals with varying interests and orientation, will place you in a place where you can control how you react to their reactions of your efforts; and thus bestows upon you power and a chance to be fulfilled, regardless.
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Scopeman @scopeman60
Unlike everyone else I have not been writing from my mother's womb. I realised my ability to write pretty well along the course of life. I am working hard to improve and establish myself as a writer. My first book "Dappled Things" will soon be out in a book store near you.Go to Scopeman's profile, and read more of his/her posts.
That’s the truth. Our job is to write; it’s not to tell our readers what to make of our work. Like in everything, they can criticize and even disagree, but just as they have the right to think, we also have the right to hold an opinion.
Exactly! Respect each other’s right to have an opinion, whether complimentary or contradictory.
It took me a while to come to the conclusion of this article. Before then I hated sharing my work with an audience. After the realization that my end of the bargain is just to write, I got some confidence.
Indeed, our duty is simply to write… Thanks for reading Myne.
I totally agree with you,
@scopeman60.
Its a running battle for me, even on NS, especially on NS. I said my mind on NS writers (To critics.)
Readers always forget that it is fiction, and worse, they also forget that one wasn’t writing about his/her life.
You thought well in this jare.
It’s the cross that comes with the job I guess… Thanks boss!
@scopeman60 well done.A critic once said that it is d critic that interpretes a work, analyses it and make it popular.What is ur take on that?
Well, that may be accurate to a certain degree…but the outcome is often unpreditable, works are popular for various reasons, good or bad.
Good one Scopeman. It has been interesting listening to people’s opinions about my characters and I definitely agree with you that “our readers are a group of independent minded individuals with varying interests and orientation.”
As a reader, I’ve found that things that resonate with me depends on the time/place. I remember reading Animal Farm as a child and thinking, cool, talking animals. Years later, I read it again and I was like, oh, it’s a political satire. I’m sure if I read now, there would other things for me to pick up on. Once our work is out there, it really belongs to the universe
Exactly!! Once we put our works out there, we are subject to their ‘super-power’ or a lack of it.
Nice piece, Scopeman.
Truly when we realize that our works would be intepreted in different ways by different people…We would be better able to take or reject what opinions they present…$ß
True…Objectivity is the key. Be happy that you finished your work, if it gets more good than bad reviews, then be all the more happier.
No be lie at all. But you can’t outrightly state that your work is just to write without minding the reader’s reaction. If it’s for freelance, fine. But if it’s to gain audience, you have to leave them with something that should make them come after you. Be on the extreme side of whatever you’re doing. Either write what will make them extremely wowed, or what’ll completely unhinge them.
@babyada The moment you realise that no matter how much you let ‘Readers’ Reaction’ inform your writing some still will read you wrongly, that’s when you become a better, happier writer.
@scopeman: You struck right to the point Sir. I have found out that no matter how good a work is, you cannot have an unanimous applause for its excellence. Say, for example I copy n paste a piece of Joseph Adison or Francis Bacon’s or any of the reknown writers work on NS without crediting it to the real writer. I’m sure I’ll get as much reactions as we get on NS: from the generous raves to the rude dismissals, the so-so’s and all. Now you would be chagrined to see how such an established writer could get some negative comments from so. ‘Ordinary’ a critic.…but such it is and it would be the greatest form of folly 4 a true writer to expect too much from his reader. Objectivity, as you say is the functional word here in a writer’s reaction to the reader’s perception of his work.
True @midas Objectivity and maturity are essential.
True talk….a drunk doesn’t choose what not to retch when the urge comes…..
True…but sometimes it isn’t about the urge, it’s just the reality of the individual.
Gbam.
Bam Bam La La, Bam Bam La La….
Summed up rather well the confusion that ravages my poor head when I get feed backs and it’s totally off from what I believed I conveyed. I shall sleep better hence forth.
The force is with you.
And with you as well my brother…. Thanks!