Novels and Their Readers

Yesterday I came across a really nice bookish blog.  Very simple and understated and inhabiting its own quiet part of the blogosphere and I thoroughly enjoyed going through reading posts.  I want to be able to write in a concise and perceptive way about books, yet still manage to convey what works and maybe what doesn't like that blogger does.  I felt happier when I discovered the blogger is also a writer...that explains a lot.

Anyway.  On one post a comment was left by the author of the book the post was about.  The author (of the book being discussed) wrote "Sometimes a novel gets into the hands of the reader it was meant for."  With a thank you for "getting what it was all about."

I've always wondered if authors write with a certain audience in mind, or just write with the hope of being widely read and appreciated.  I suppose every author is different.  I wouldn't mind getting that sort of response from an author someday on my blog.  I also always wonder if I "get it" when it comes to books.  I've always had this idea that books were open to the reader's own interpretation based on what experiences they bring to a novel.  This is the second time in a month now, that I have seen an author talk about his/her writing in this way--with a "it's in the hands of the reader now--for good or for bad" sort of feeling.

Strangely (or maybe not so strangely?) when reading I am thinking less about the author than about the world s/he has created.  I only think about the author peripherally, especially contemporary authors.  S/he may be the creator, but for me the fictional world stands on its own.

Just thought that was interesting.

Comments

[Edd]

Danielle,

A quick note while I am up. When I began to write I had a specific reader in mind even though the work was Science Fiction much is conveyed through SF that can be taken on many, many levels. My illness prevented me from finishing but I would have loved to have seen the final work. Now I need a 14 year-old grandson to put mixed thoughts into words.

[Nicole]

That is a very interesting to think about. I agree that reading is something that is going to be different for each reader being that we have to see and interpret through our own individual lens. I do think that there are bound to be some readers who are inhabiting a similar emotional or social space as the author and certain things will resonate with them the way that the author may have intended and based on what they were thinking when they started writing.

[Dorothy W.]

I don't know how representative this is, but one of my writer friends is very aware of what types of readers might like her books, but I don't think she writes with a particular audience in mind. I think she writes what she wants to, what interests her, and then thinks about the type of person who might like it. I think she's aware that not everyone will like it, and possibly lots of people won't, but hopes that at least she can find a core group of readers who will get it. That's one perspective, at least!

[Danielle]

Edd--I didn't know you wrote a book. I think for mystery writers or science fiction writers as the areas are sort of specialized you would indeed be writing for a particular audience. Perhaps some day your grandson might be able to help finish the book?
Nicole--I suspect there are times a book will 'speak' to a reader more than others based on the subject and experiences of the two. It makes sense really as books can be so important for a reader who might be going through something difficult and a book might might deal with that topic making the reader feel like they are not alone or that someone else entirely understands.
Dorothy--I'm not sure why I had not really thought of this before--since readers and writers are so very connected via a book. It's interesting getting their perspective of things. When I read that Annie Dillard essay I was looking for information on her and saw an interview with her and a variety of other authors and each answered the same question. One was who their intended audience was and I think she said something like an educated, literary audience, which I imagine is who she thinks would appreciate her books the most.

[Megan]

It is interesting, isn't it? Actually, I think I have received more than one comment in my time blogging from authors thanking me and saying that I "got it." I consider it to be a high compliment. While I don't necessarily believe authors write with a specific reader in mind or actively try to dictate a certain interpretation for the reader, I do think it must be nice for them when a reader or perhaps a bunch of readers see what's at the heart of their books. I really have no idea (but if you don't mind indulging me in my flight of fancy), but I often think that it must feel great when you put so much of yourself into a creation, a novel or anything really, to have someone just "get" what you were trying to say. "Getting it" might not be necessary for a good review or even a great reading experience, I just imagine it's a bit of a sigh of relief moment for an author knowing that some reader was right there on the same page with them and maybe saw that extra something they were trying to get across.

Honestly, I don't read with the author in mind either, and you shouldn't have to. Some books, I think, do just happen to fit especially with certain readers so that in the end maybe they just "get it" how the author hoped they would (you know, deep in their heart of hearts). I think usually, when I "get" something, it's a pretty unforced, organic process, and if it wasn't, it wouldn't be quite the same. Really, I suppose, it might just be a nice, if rare, opportunity for the author to relate back to the reader instead of the other way around, if that makes any sense. ;-)

[Danielle]

Megan--In a way it seems like writers and readers are sort of opposite ends of things, so it must be nice when they are able to meet up in the middle in a (as you say) organic sort of way. I would take it as a compliment for an author to tell me that! I tend to read the biographical information about an author and if it is someone especially famous I might just have a little more general knowledge or have possibly read an interview, which sometimes sheds light on things (especially interviews that talk about the book), otherwise I tend to just focus on the story, so I hadn't given it all much thought. Interesting to think about--and very interesting comments--thanks! :)

[Gayle]

hmmm...hadn't thought of that end of the book! I, like you, always felt it was the individual interpretation in the mind of the reader of each book.
I hope I haven't offended any authors....but I think their reward is how many copies of their book sells.....and knowing the joy they bring their readers.

[Iris]

I agree that I think as a blogger it might be the highest compliment you can get, to have a writer say you "got it". But then I might also feel that I didn't "get it" with many of the other books I've read and yet enjoyed. Like you, I often don't think about the authors intentions (I do think about it more with authors of classics) and just try and enjoy the world he or she has created.

[Darlene]

I still find myself wishing that Sarah Waters would sit down and explain The Little Stranger! I loved all the banter about everyone's interpretation and wondered if Sarah felt like clearing things up or was frustrated that some people were left wondering.

Usually, I only concern myself with the story but sometimes I would really love to have the author over for tea and a good chat!

[Danielle]

Gayle--I've always thought of it all from my end as a reader, too. It's interesting to get the other perspective and I expect authors probably don't mind having lots of copies of their books sold either.
Iris--I think you can read books--a lot of books anyway on different levels. Sometimes I just read for pleasure and know I am reading somewhat superficially, though other times I try and dig a little deeper and look for criticism on a book (easier with older books or classics) to see how it all fits together. At least right now in my life I tend to pick up books hoping they can take me away from my normal day to day existence--so pleasure or entertainment is usually high in my mind. But it is nice to think I might see something more in a story.
Darlene--I imagine Sarah Waters with a little smile on her face knowing she has left so much up to the reader to decide. I do wonder what She thinks happened, though, too. Maybe someday she will give her perspectives and hopefully she isn't shaking her head in despair thinking none of them have got it! :) If she ever does come over I'd love to be a fly on the wall and listen in!

[litlove]

It's a very interesting question and one I think a lot about. I do think that if you are true to the book you are reading, and just listening to it in a friendly, undemanding way, you do 'get it' as much as it is intended to be 'got'. Lots of writers intend for parts of the story to be perplexing or enigmatic. I usually see my students overthinking, or trying to make something more complicated than it is when they start worrying themselves about what the book really means. I always think you have a lovely take on the books you read, Danielle because you're straight and honest and tell us just how you experienced reading them, and that's exactly what I want. :-)

[Stefanie]

I've heard some authors talk about their ideal readers so I suspect that most writers have a certain audience of at least one person in mind. But it is a very interesting question!

[Danielle]

Litlove--Thanks for your comment--I think I worry too much like your students! Some books are definitely more difficult than others and I am happy to try and read more about the book, but others seem fairly straightforward. It's interesting to think about it all from the author's perspective and often they really don't say. I'd never come across a comment like that from and author, so it made me wonder.
Stefanie--I've never been interested in writing a book, so I guess I've not thought a lot about it all from the author's perspective, but it isn't at all surprising that they would have a particular reader in mind. I'm not sure I know any authors to ask about it!

[Nicola]

I would agree that some of the least prolific blogs are amongst the best and there is some very fine writing out there (including your blog).

[Tara]

Very interesting. I, too, think little about the author and focus instead on the material.

[Danielle]

Nicola--That's extremely kind of you to say! :) I feel like lately I am just puttering along at my own pace and with my own interests (though I think a few are overlapping with others a the moment).
Tara--It's interesting to read other reader's comments (sometimes the comments are almost as interesting as the post that generated them). I always think of the story/text first and the author later (unless it is a classic perhaps).