"Just write it yourself!"
Jul. 22nd, 2024 09:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kathleen_daileyI was following a fairly general discussion about writing in a specific fandom, and one newbie participant expressed frustration at finding so few stories that featured the rare pairing and subject matter that they preferred. Several of the other participants replied, in essence, "If you can't find what you want, just write it yourself!"
For decades--in fact, as far back as Usenet days--I've heard similar responses to similar comments. I completely understand writers' impatience with readers who complain that no one is custom-producing exactly what the reader wants. (Boy, do I understand that.)
HOWEVER: Not every reader is, or can suddenly become by an act of will, a writer.
You'd think that would be self-evident. And yet that contemptuous "write it yourself!" is often the only reply that a reader who asks, "Where can I find stories about my favourite subject matter/universe/OTP?" is likely to get.
I was reminded of a friend who used to say that she expressed her creativity by being a knowledgeable patron, collector, and reader: "Without people like me, musicians wouldn't have anyone to play for, artists wouldn't have anyone to paint for, and authors wouldn't have anyone to write for." She'd joke that the Canada Council ought to have a generous grant program for appreciators, because without them the arts wouldn't be able to survive, much less flourish.
Writers can't necessarily make bespoke stories appear on demand, but maybe we could be a little kinder to the non-writing reader who stumbles into a forum and asks an innocent question about a favourite pairing. Who knows? An interesting discussion about who writes or doesn't write what, and why, in a fandom might result. (Although it didn't, in this case.)
The discussion segued into complaints about readers who don't take the trouble to comment or even hit the kudos button. Like other writers, I've done my share of moaning about entitled readers who inhale content without any thanks to the authors. But the whole exchange also reminded me that (as Claire Gabriel often said) I write to be read, not to be stroked. Getting comments and kudos makes me happy, but I'm also going to remember to appreciate the hits from anonymous readers. Those people are reading, after all, and they're the reason I'm writing.
For decades--in fact, as far back as Usenet days--I've heard similar responses to similar comments. I completely understand writers' impatience with readers who complain that no one is custom-producing exactly what the reader wants. (Boy, do I understand that.)
HOWEVER: Not every reader is, or can suddenly become by an act of will, a writer.
You'd think that would be self-evident. And yet that contemptuous "write it yourself!" is often the only reply that a reader who asks, "Where can I find stories about my favourite subject matter/universe/OTP?" is likely to get.
I was reminded of a friend who used to say that she expressed her creativity by being a knowledgeable patron, collector, and reader: "Without people like me, musicians wouldn't have anyone to play for, artists wouldn't have anyone to paint for, and authors wouldn't have anyone to write for." She'd joke that the Canada Council ought to have a generous grant program for appreciators, because without them the arts wouldn't be able to survive, much less flourish.
Writers can't necessarily make bespoke stories appear on demand, but maybe we could be a little kinder to the non-writing reader who stumbles into a forum and asks an innocent question about a favourite pairing. Who knows? An interesting discussion about who writes or doesn't write what, and why, in a fandom might result. (Although it didn't, in this case.)
The discussion segued into complaints about readers who don't take the trouble to comment or even hit the kudos button. Like other writers, I've done my share of moaning about entitled readers who inhale content without any thanks to the authors. But the whole exchange also reminded me that (as Claire Gabriel often said) I write to be read, not to be stroked. Getting comments and kudos makes me happy, but I'm also going to remember to appreciate the hits from anonymous readers. Those people are reading, after all, and they're the reason I'm writing.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-23 12:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-23 11:12 pm (UTC)The discussion that got this train of thought going was on a fandom-specific site, so the reaction that I mentioned may not happen in other fandoms all the time, or even at all. But I've seen enough write-it-yourself responses to readers on various forums over the years to make me think that maybe there are quite a few readers out there who are saying to themselves, If I could write it, I would! But I can't, because I AM NOT A WRITER. Thus my resolve to be a little more patient with readers who express a wish for certain pairings or plots. (Even if I can't make that wish come true.)