My Favorite Reader

After my first book was published and I knew that others, besides ever-patient friends, now read it (a creation over which I had had nightmares, sweated life blood, and torn nails), I realized that the creative process does not end with the word in print. Books are like children. Once they leave the nest, they will be viewed and judged by those without a parent’s forbearance and love. 

So I would like to say that my favorite reader falls into the praise category, one who is kind to my child, likes the books I like, owns the same set of principles I do, and wants the world to be the way I would make it, were I able. 

But I’ll try not to. Really, really try… 

A reader’s imagination is needed to complete all fiction, and so I am intrigued when any reader chooses not to do so for a particular story. From comments I’ve read about all kinds of fiction, I suspect a few are frightened to go where the tale might lead their imagination. Others are offended by characters they wouldn’t want living next door to them. But some take the ride and find it  inadequate for reasons of craft or style. Like it or not, that last kind of reader brings insight to the author, teaching a lesson about the craft even if the lesson is that we will always fail to reach every single reader. Being human, I prefer those who find delight in my work, but, because it can be educational, I have to include these readers who find the books lacking for valid reasons amongst my favorite readers.  

Have I sounded somewhat objective and vaguely mature?  

Good, because I’m not. 

I still worry about my little books going into a world where they must face cruelty as well as praise. For that reason, I keep a framed copy of the poem The Author To Her Book by Anne Bradstreet, a writer four hundred years ago who understood the fear and expressed it so well. I suspect even the poet(s) known as Homer suffered much the same way. At least I’m still historical about this…

Comments

[Staci]

Priscilla, you've really captured the essence of a favorite reader. It's always nice to hear praise and accolades, but occasionally, we can learn useful information from the more critical readers that will make future books better (as much as I hate to admit it).
Wonderful poem, by the way!

[Priscilla]

Love Anne Bradstreet. In college, I took a class in early American lit, which was pretty awful except for her. No portrait of her exists (although her father and husband were painted) and no one knows where her grave really is, but she must have been quite impressive. Dared to say and think much that was not Puritan PC and wrote of daily life with surprising warmth.

[camille minichino]

You're always historical, Priscilla! Thanks for sending me back to a centuries old poem.

[Mysti Berry]

I'm getting used to the idea of volunteering to be vulnerable--my people confuse it with weakness. Makes us very useful for raiding parties and adventures at sea, not so much where subtler skills are required :) I'm living proof one can conquer one's DNA. I think I am, anyway!

To me the trick has always been to evaluate the input (good and bad) without my usual filters--any criticism must be true, any praise must be misguided!

Anyone who cares enough to spend the time to comment deserves a fair hearing. That doesn't mean we'll ever learn to enjoy it ;)

Looking for Anne Bradstreet now! Thanks for being an inspiration and for sharing the most useful knowledge, Priscilla!!!!

[Pat Morin]

I wonder if the "few (that) are frightened to go where the tale might lead their imagination" don't show us how difficult it is to stretch the reader's imagination, after we have stretched ours to bring them there.
Great food for wayward thoughts.

[Priscilla]

It isn't easy, Mysti. Somewhere along the line, I learned to replace the word "must" be right and "must" be misguided with "may". Still not easy... As for raiding party DNA, I have a bit myself since the formerly auburn hair had to come from east of the UK!