Interpretations
While reading the comments on yesterday's discussion (which were very good, by the way - I love getting great comments) I was thinking about some things that I could post as a possible corollary to that discussion, and this is what came to me.
For those of you who write, what is your general response when someone reads something into your work that you never intended to be there? Personally, I find it interesting to read other perspectives on my work but sometimes can't restrain a smile.
I'll direct you to the review of Blurred Line over at Round Table Reviews. The reviewer didn't seem to like the book much but thought my use of technology was very cool. Of course, the technological side of the book is probably the area into which I put the least amount of effort. It was largely cobbled together from a collection of other books and movies and just there to hold the plot together. Yet, apparently, this is where I was most innovative.
Has anyone else ever had a review like this?
For those of you who write, what is your general response when someone reads something into your work that you never intended to be there? Personally, I find it interesting to read other perspectives on my work but sometimes can't restrain a smile.
I'll direct you to the review of Blurred Line over at Round Table Reviews. The reviewer didn't seem to like the book much but thought my use of technology was very cool. Of course, the technological side of the book is probably the area into which I put the least amount of effort. It was largely cobbled together from a collection of other books and movies and just there to hold the plot together. Yet, apparently, this is where I was most innovative.
Has anyone else ever had a review like this?
4 Comments:
Ahh I have had that happen. Someone sees a character in a different light. One person read something I wrote once and didn't like the main character, but loved everything else. She saw the character as whinny and spoiled vs lonely and afraid as intended...
A recent event (somewhat along these lines really amused me) The most interesting feedback was the reaction I got when I let my neighbor (age 11) and some of her friends read the novel (children's) I just finished. They were more insightful than I gave them credit for. Things I thought they wouldn't connect or wouldn't wonder about they did. And they discussed the novel with more enthusiasm than any other person who's read it.
Probably because they weren't looking for the faults or weak spots but rather reading to enjoy, but I have to say they impressed me. I went back and revised things on some of their comments/questions. It's amazing how a kid sees things.
An interesting question! My novel is yet unpublished, but I've gotten some interesting feedback from my Beta readers regarding some character insights that went beyond what I was thinking as I wrote. Very cool!
I think that it happens to me often and unless someone misunderstood me completely, I actually find it fascinating.
I find that, in poetry, people will always see more (or less) than what you actually intended. I don't know how to interpret it from the perspective of a novel, but believe that we should all be able to draw what we want from a piece of writing and, therefore, once we have written it.. it takes on a life of its own.
Okay, I sense the arguments to the contrary, such as: if you wrote it, perhaps you should be able to direct the interpretation of it.
Needless to say, we can never control how words on a page (or screen) evolve once put down, so, in essence, regardless of whether we are misinterpreted or not, it will happen.
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