Who do you write for???

[ABCJohn]

I have been discussing writing with some friends of mine and we seem split on the issue of who we write for. We all agree that writing needs to be in some part for the audience, but how much? In a speech, an author I admire talks about how writing should be a gift for the audience (without pandering) and how once he releases a book, it is no longer his - it belongs to the people. He doesn't feel a right to answers questions about what happens between the scenes or clarify unless the audience makes an error in judging his intention when writing. He says that writing is like a template for the readers' imaginations, that writing for yourself will make your work poor.

Now, he is a favorite of mine, but some of I friends and I disagree. I understand how fandom works and wanting to give an audience that feeling of ownership, but it's my story, too. I want to write things that I think are cool are smart, regardless of whether or not everyone will like it. I want to answer questions about what went on behind the scenes with my characters - I feel like I should have the authority to do so. Yes, I want the audience to have a good time reading it and go to great lengths to make it entertaining, sure. But at the core, I write for me, because it's something I have to do. Because I'll go crazy and my head will burst if I don't. I can't let my head get overwhelmed with ideas, and I refuse to forget them either. Therefore, I write.

Writing for me started out as a way to record my dreams. I often go into detail and leave little little up to the imagination - it's a force of habit. I shy away from the vague 'template' approach and the idea that a good story, character, or location might be seen differently in the eyes of different readers. I want people to see what I saw in my head. I write both to record what I imagine, and to share it. And I don't believe that will necessarily make the writing bad.

So what do you think? Should you just write what you want and not care what people think? Should you make your writing a gift for the audience? Or should you specifically write about what you think the audience wants to read? Whre is the balance?

 

[Conscious Bob]

I'm a reader not a writer but as you've not had any replies yet I hope you won't mind my contribution.

I think ultimately good writers write for themselves. If you enjoy what you write there's a better chance an audience will enjoy it too and if they want more in this internet age they'll let you know.

In other words authenticity is rare but populism comes with experience.

 

[K.S. Crooks]

I start with writing for myself. I'm the only person I know for sure I can please with the story I create. I after it is written I hope that other people enjoy the story and have questions. No matter how precise you think you are being there will always be people that see things differently. I recently spoke with someone who read my first novel and when she was describing aspects of my characters she had a different interpretation than I have. At first I was put off by this, then I realized its okay. The I was really trying to convey the ways the characters are different from each other, which is what I accomplished.

I think the author needs to claim their stories after they are written, especially if there are sequels planned. Inevitably people will differ about small aspects of a novel, the same reason why no one every thinks a movie was done as a perfect representation of the book it was based on. Now if someone suggests something to add to the next book I will consider the idea, as do many authors.

 

[Conscious Bob]

Then I think you're on the right road.

 

[regdog]

I write stories for myself but have no problem with readers who see things differently in the books than I do. Each reader see things their own way, just as I see each story I read my own way regardless of what the writers intended. We each have our own imagination to visualize and create the world the words on the page describe.