Writer and Reader

[Tzara]

Some of the posts I've read recently have brought to mind some basic questions about the relationship between writers and readers. Specifically:

• What does the writer owe the reader, if anything?

• What does the reader owe the writer, if anything?

Personally, I am tempted to answer both of these questions the same way—neither side owes the other anything. But I also recognize that that attitude could leave the writer with no readers, and leave readers with nothing to read.

Most of us here are both writers and readers. Do we have responsibilities in either or both roles? If so, what are they, in your opinion?

 

[wildsweetone]

to respect each other's differences.

 

[champagne1982]

• What does the writer owe the reader, if anything?

• What does the reader owe the writer, if anything?

Well, Mr Nosferatu, let's shed a little light on these questions, shall we?

I believe that both owe each a modicum of respect. Don't denigrate the intelligence of each by refusing to approach a piece at less than your own highest standards.

I mean, just because an author has only written and shared 2 poems doesn't mean a reader should expect less than the poet's best effort. Conversely, just because a reader expects a sonnet to rhyme doesn't mean an author should be satisfied with mediocre content purely to meet the requirements of form.

I'm saying we owe each other high standards and an honest critique.

 

[wildsweetone]

Some of the posts I've read recently have brought to mind some basic questions about the relationship between writers and readers. Specifically:

• What does the writer owe the reader, if anything?

• What does the reader owe the writer, if anything?

Personally, I am tempted to answer both of these questions the same way—neither side owes the other anything. But I also recognize that that attitude could leave the writer with no readers, and leave readers with nothing to read.

Most of us here are both writers and readers. Do we have responsibilities in either or both roles? If so, what are they, in your opinion?

okay i thought some more over dinner...

some things i think the writer owes the reader:
-good poetry
-if using a hook beginning - follow through to the end appropriately
-expectations - need to be met (sometimes, they need to be altered to surprise the reader)
-continuity in setting, time, etc. also in 'voice'
-believability

some things i think the reader owes the writer:
-time. time to consider the poem. time to understand all its connotations.
-understanding - that the writer may mean something different to what the reader sees.

 

[My Erotic Trail]

Some of the posts I've read recently have brought to mind some basic questions about the relationship between writers and readers. Specifically:

• What does the writer owe the reader, if anything?

Okay, but remember, you asked for it <grinin'
I WILL get indepth with this <GRIN> (Inquiring minds want to know?). I think of it like song writing. A song is written and played, some like the style/some do not, some like the words and meaning/ some do not but they like the beat, others might like the artist and the song is tolerated for that purpose. As the song and song writer age the song gets better,

example, Mr. Bojangles, Eagles; Desperado of course joe walsh out of rehab said he only drank once, for twenty years and now, his music soars, the old songs are better; point is some need time to age like wine or cigars. Others are best when they first come out like "My Dinga'ling My Dinga'ling"...rarely heard these days or "Peggy Sue" giants of their time but Desperado and Bojangles are still played often today <grin since this is poetry, we either like the poets style/meaning/poetry or we do not, we change the channel and find what we do like. write from the heart for yourself and as most of us, ...your harder on your self than most critics. > or not <grin>

REMEMBER ...Interpretation; seranade wrote a song/poem (train) and I read it and he submitted it here and it is okay, but brother let me tell you when he sings it, it brings on a whole new meaning so there again we are the stage for their write. Did we play the write right?

• What does the reader owe the writer, if anything?

I think we all view the world differently. So each of us are different in personality and reflect our actions totally different than leaves on a tree.

I know a man and every time he is around some one he has to comment on everything done. We get a package and he disects how it was wrapped, shipped by and how much, and weight. He is a walking calculator but any way, I see a drawing and I tell the man he did a good job. He asked if I would change anything and I said 'NO', well 'Dick' <grin> Dick comes in and wants the ears changed and the lips moved and the eyes wider, hair darker.

My point is some take things for what they are and others will perfect everything forever. So when we read an author we all respond differently as our comments. I would say we owe them the respect of sharing their Art, like a painting, what we saw and felt, <for I would not tell an artist to repaint his picture but then again this isn't a painting but...it is already submitted. Respect is given till it dissolves with knowledge or grows in enlightenment.

Personally, I am tempted to answer both of these questions the same way—neither side owes the other anything. But I also recognize that that attitude could leave the writer with no readers, and leave readers with nothing to read.

Most of us here are both writers and readers. Do we have responsibilities in either or both roles? If so, what are they, in your opinion?

You do mean here, correct?
I understand the motivation to learn and write better. I feel when you read a magazine you have not the ability to tell the author what you think, you read it and go on. But here the rules change. It is nice to tell the author what you think,

but to rearrange a poem to make it more to your own liking or more correct on the public comments I feel is not correct when done in length. a good critic comment; Wicked eve left a short note, great poem cut out some gerunds. So I quit wearing under wear <grin I would Feedback and e-mail asking if they would like a lenghty edit. Or those who post them asking for advice on a thread. Or I believe that is what the poetry discussion circle is. Okay, you may not have meant the comment section so I touched all the means of telling the writer what we think. (lets not forget PMs)

That leaves the writer to the reader (I agree we as writers owe our best, so when are best aint that great, <I personally will leave a comment if I finished the poem and liked it. If I did not finish it, I exit out and leave it.> I would say the responsability of being polite in what ever we say to each other as a reader or a writer.

I also understand the tree of poetry here wants to blossom and be productive in hopes of disected into hard wood and made into a shelf that will one day be in a library of the highest literary honors. And some just write from the soul in a moonlight glow because that is all we know <I meant they <grin>> all under the same roof and when some are doing a square dance and some are doing the waltz well you see what I mean, but we are all here for the same thing to READ and WRITE poetry.

Thanks Tzara for allowing me to express how your questions made me feel <shear poetry>

 

[Decayed Angel]

Mr. Bojangles perhaps showing the difference between writer and performer. Written by Jerry Jeff Walker, I always liked Neil Diamond's version better than the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Don't remember the Eagles version, but then I never was a big Eagles fan.

 

[bogusbrig]

I think the simple answer is absolutely nothing.

If someone is writing or not makes little difference to me. I enjoy the work of certain writers but if they didn't write I'd read something else. Maybe I would lament a little of not having anyhting new of a particular writer to read but there is a vast well of good writers out there and very few really special ones.

As a writer I owe the reader nothing but if I want people to read my work I owe it to myself to make the work good enough to attract readers.

Now if I was earning money from the deal then I would look at the whole relationship through different eyes. If my readership were providing me with a living I would most certainly look on my readership with different eyes. Ones fan base would be ones bread and butter and you treat your source of income with respect.

 

[WickedEve]

Anyone who creates anything usually finds sharing to be irresistible.
Almost every word I write is intended to be shared.
I write what pleases me, but with an audience always in mind.
I give the reader the best I can, and the reader owes me nothing.
I do hope, though, that the reader will appreciate my words enough to connect with me in some way.

 

[bluerains]

my thoughts

would want to gather a reader base , that enjoys the style and perspective of the writer that in resonation creates an interactive energy of inspiration...and validation is also a good point..feeling a connection with the reader is a good inspiring way of creating a world that would bring the reader back..so I think one would thrive in that venue..of interaction.../peace

 

[TheRainMan]

Some of the posts I've read recently have brought to mind some basic questions about the relationship between writers and readers. Specifically:

• What does the writer owe the reader, if anything?

• What does the reader owe the writer, if anything?

Personally, I am tempted to answer both of these questions the same way—neither side owes the other anything. But I also recognize that that attitude could leave the writer with no readers, and leave readers with nothing to read.

Most of us here are both writers and readers. Do we have responsibilities in either or both roles? If so, what are they, in your opinion?

I am assuming we are talking about poetry/fiction here and not writers of history, or journalists . . . the question would then become a different question, and so would the answer.

To me, writers of fiction and poetry that is going to be shared with others have a responsibility that goes beyond their own creative impulse and their responsibilities toward themselves. They, unlike the reader, are providing a service.

Some would argue that they have some social or moral responsibilities. I disagree. I think a writer’s responsibilities can be summed up in a few words (what they mean, in detail, would require a much longer answer) – respect for the language. The second a writer uses language, a relationship is established with the community that keeps that language alive.

I think a reader has no responsibility to the writer at all, other than giving whatever they wish, which can cover the spectrum from nothing to a whole lot.

It is the writer that is providing a service, much as a breadmaker – feeding the mind instead of the body.

The reader can eat if they wish, all or whole or half or a few crumbs, or leave the loaf on the plate, or feed it to the dogs. They can tell their friends of the quality, make recommendations to frequent or stay away.

That is the relationship between provider and consumer.

 

[DeepAsleep]

I'm with bogusbrig, on this one.

 

[Liar]

A good effort. That's all anyone can ask, and at the same time the least anyone can ask.