Comments on: Is the reader always right?

By: Devil's Mind

Devil's Mind — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 23:41:00 +0000

The writer can (and maybe should) write anything! I would like to pose the question: doesnt the reader have the responsibility to subjectively analyze what he reads?!

I am not advocating that writers should write lies and sell thoughts, but a reader who doesnt own a sense of self and is manipulated by commerialized stories is the one who needs fixing NOT the writer himself!

By: Gandhi Taymour

Gandhi Taymour — Wed, 02 Nov 2005 10:48:00 +0000

omg I can’t remember …. I’m sorry argh it was so good too!!!!!!!

By: Tololy

Tololy — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 16:45:00 +0000

Gandhi Taymour, We are waiting for your comment.

Lulu, by all means feel free to write as many comments as you like. Length is not an issue either, the point is that we all learn and exchange ideas.

You spoke my mind in some of what you posted, but I am still not quite sure what my end “opinion” would be. I thank you for an informative comment.

By: lulu

lulu — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 03:01:00 +0000

This is a really interesting topic to investigate, Tololy. I personally find myself drawn to creative work (music, writing, film, art) for different reasons, but mainly I look for what is original and truly inspired.
On the other hand, that doesn’t exclude the possibility that I might fall for something that has been produced with a kind of mass-production mentality, i.e. what will please the masses.
Although I expend time and energy looking for creativity in non-mainstream venues, I am not willing to snub something merely because it IS mainstream.
Now regarding the responsibility of a writer in particular, I think it also depends on what their purpose is. If a writer is writing to make money, I think knowing his/her market is a sign of intelligence, and it is their way of doing business in a business-oriented world. On the other hand, should there be some kind of code of ethics, or guidelines restricting what’s written? Doesn’t that violate freedom of speech?
Sorry for the long response!

By: Gandhi Taymour

Gandhi Taymour — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 02:43:00 +0000

what I mean is it can be fine, it depends on the writer’s purpose and ……… I forgot what I was gonna write my friend distracted me!!!!!!!!!!! so I’ll reply later!!!!

By: Tololy

Tololy — Sun, 30 Oct 2005 14:40:00 +0000

I have not read the Da Vinci Code yet, muppetlord. I am doing exactly the same thing you are doing, waiting until the spark dies out to see if it was ever steady. Adding to that, I have no time for that book yet, my hands are full with others.

I failed to understand, however, what you meant by saying “there is an element of snobbery involved within the writing community”. Could you please explain, perhaps elaborate some more? Thank you for a valuable comment.

Gandhi Taymour;
I like exploring different views. Now, is it your opinion, if I understood correctly, that it is “just fine” for a writer to produce absolutely anything the market asks for, say, exceedingly sexualized novels?

Do not mistake my providing the example with a refusal of the genre per say, it is merely an example.

I think the point I am trying to understand is the answer to this question: Do you think it is fine for a writer to write whatever people want to read, regardless of the quality of thoughts or style, simply because this writer wants to make money? Is there no “message” cliche that everyone seems to involve with the writer’s persona, that the writer has to live up to? Or, possibly more important is the question: Is a writer responsible for what “damage” his/her production inflects on literature? (Using the term “damage” loosely).

By: Gandhi Taymour

Gandhi Taymour — Sun, 30 Oct 2005 10:08:00 +0000

“Now, if a writer succumbs to the temptation of the market, does that make him or her less of a genuine writer? Or does it mean that the writer is genius because he or she knew what to write to appeal to the masses?”

- Remember now that the Pen is Mightier than the Sword. And I strongly believe so, whether it is a message I write down on a table at a public library saying “have a nice day” or an author who writes something that people want to hear, or a writer who is writing just for future people to learn and understand a concept he wanted to get across. Either way, there is never a good or bad writer. There are writers who have to write just to make a living! Its a job in their view and nothing less. If they are in need of putting food on the table and write just to hit the market, then that’s absolutely fine, its a job and by selling millions, they are doing their job right.

By: Muppetlord

Muppetlord — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 18:34:00 +0000

I think there is an element of snobbery involved within the writing community.

Is Stephen King good because he sells millions of books? Some say he is bad for the very same reason.

I rate authors on whether the book is a good read. Case in point, Dan Brown. I have not read the famous book….partly because it is being seriously hyped. I’ll wait a bit for the hype to die down before I get it…then I’ll know if he is ‘good’ or not.