07-09-2016, 08:44 AM
One of the only useful things I learned during my years at uni was that there are several different schools of thought when it comes to cultural and artistic theory, and many different focuses for criticism -- each as valid as the next, but more useful when a reader does not adhere to only one of them. Recognising that people read for a variety of reasons (reasons that may change from day to day, moment to moment even) is important to a writer. I disagree on some very fundamental levels with Rowen, but I respect him as a writer and as a reader, and find that despite almost diametrically opposed thinking, we have many intersections. Finding those intersections and celebrating them is one of the joys of a community like this one (and remember, there is no community like this one -- I am not contractually obliged to say that but I'll do it anyway!).
As shem said, "I write for myself" is a bullshit argument. You may write for pleasure (weirdo), but a good portion of that pleasure comes not just from the writing but from the audience response. Otherwise, stick it in a drawer and be crazy cat lady forevermore.
As shem said, "I write for myself" is a bullshit argument. You may write for pleasure (weirdo), but a good portion of that pleasure comes not just from the writing but from the audience response. Otherwise, stick it in a drawer and be crazy cat lady forevermore.
It could be worse