Should authors write selfishly for themselves or thoughtfully for their readers?
Here are responses, with permission, from the authors:
Author 4
I write selfishly—for the ten-year-old that still lives inside of me. I think it is ill-advised for writers to fret about what readers may think or want during the creative process. If you write from the heart (as cliché as that may sound) then you will probably have a better chance of connecting with readers.
However, during the editing process, then I think it’s wise to think of the audience. Personally, I solicit feedback from my young fans, after I have written my first few drafts. Now that I am working on a series — The Chronicles of Kendra Kandlestar — I find that my young fans get great delight from being asked their opinions on matters such as character names and illustrations in an upcoming book. But thematically and plot-wise, I trust my own instincts. After all, I feel that the story is inside of me, and it’s just a matter of me chipping away at it to release it.
Lee Edward Fodi
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Author 5
Such a simple question, and yet one that has captured the attention of writers for as long as the printed word has existed.
Like Philip Pullman, I believe that my most important responsibility is to the story itself. I suppose that’s why my writing ranges from books for toddlers to teens. I try to let each story that I write dictate the means by which it must be told and let it find it’s own audience. It drives my publishers crazy because it’s difficult to “market” an author when that author switches genera. It also means ignoring “trends” and fashions that might please readers. However, I truly believe that my job is to tell each and every story that I write to the very best of my ability and that means listening for the characters voices and actions to speak and do as they must. If I follow the dictates of the story, I sometimes have to throw outlines out the window, cut sections of writing that I love and have slaved over, and even kill off characters that don’t speak to the heart of the story. I take the responsibility seriously. If I am true to the story, I am true to myself, and also true to my readers rather than some undefined generalized audience that may or may not exist. I don’t doubt that if I wrote differently, I might have a wider readership. My books are not for everyone. But, if I have done my job, my story will find an audience. If a reader isn’t ready for one of my books, or if it isn’t the right book for them, they will find another; so long as parents, teachers, and librarians are there to guide them on their way.
And yes, please feel free to post my response. I would also like your permission to post your question on my blog. I could withhold your name and location if you prefer.
Best,
Sheryl
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Sheryl McFarlane
author of more than a dozen books for kids and teens
sheryl@sherylmcfarlane.ca
www.sherylmcfarlane.ca
www.readingkidsbooks.blogspot.com
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Author 6
My first reaction to your question was to say 'neither -- authors should write because they must.' And, to a large extent, I still believe that. Writing, for me at least, is something of a compulsion. After thinking on this a little more, I've come to the conclusion that I probably do both, although I don't see it as selfish or thoughtful. So to sum up my beliefs: authors should write because they are compelled to. They should write to serve the story and the characters. And they should revise, and revise again, for their readers.
I hope this is what you're looking for.
Happy reading!
Laura Langston
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Author 7
That's not an easy question to answer, but I'll share my thoughts. If a person is writing something personal, like a journal or a diary, it's tempting to think this is done for the self and at that place in time, I think it is. But, one day, in the future, that person will have evolved into someone else and should they be curious about their past self, they might want to read that journal. If the journal was honestly and thoughtfully written, the reader - who was the author once upon a time - will benefit from that.
If an author is writing about history or reporting news of current events, this must be done carefully and thoughtfully, for the reader. The author 'self' should be invisible in this sort of writing - any personal views must be weeded out since they are irrelevant.
When I write fiction, I think the first part of the process, playing with a story idea, is done for me - it's a selfish time. I'm only inspired by things that intrigue me or evoke some sort of emotional response, so at this stage, I'm not considering readers; I'm indulging my own interests and fantasies. It's only after that initial exploration that I begin to think about my readers. If I'm writing for a particular age group, then I need to consider how my story might best reach them. While in the process of writing, there are again times when I'm not focused on the reader but rather on challenging myself to arrange words in a manner that pleases me. Once the rough draft is complete, then nearly all the work following is done for the readers because as I edit and re-write, I'm striving for clarity and ease of reading. One of my editors includes a quote from Nathaniel Hawthorne as part of her signature: "Easy reading is damned hard writing!" And it is.
I guess the short answer to your question is that authors of fiction should do both. If they aren't selfish enough to indulge their muse, it's unlikely they can create an original story written from their unique view of the world to share. But if they aren't considerate of their readers - chances are they won't have any readers.
I've taken a look at your website and am wondering if you're polling many authors for answers to this question to share with your class? A great idea! I'm also curious as to where you found this email address since it isn't the one I post publicly.
Sincerely,
Kim Denman
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