May 5 question – Has any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn’t expect? If so, did it surprise you?
It’s now May 5th which means Cinco De Mayo and IWSG Day at the same time! Yay.
As someone who writes both fiction and non-fiction, including spiritual and religious stuff, this question brings up some interesting memories, some really bad, some really good. Once upon a time, it used to surprise me when someone read my words and responded in some entirely unexpected way. Now, I’m pretty much used to it, used to the unexpected, I suppose.
I tend to view all writing as a conversation, conversations with authors I’ve read and conversations with people who choose to read me. In any conversation, you never know what the “other side” will say, if anything.
The only thing that really bothers, but unfortunately does not surprise me, is the person who says something like, I know, and that is why I’m against red-headed people. Not a real example, but not far off from real responses.
I’m never really surprised by that anymore. After the umpteenth time someone misreads you in keeping with some clear agenda, you get used to it.
On the other hand, sometimes someone says something really beautiful that does give me a wow moment. Surprise might be a good word for that, when someone wows you with something beautiful and adds their own spin. For example, you might write an abstract poem about a bicycle and you don’t even know what it was about, but the image speaks to you somehow. Someone else might read it and share how it reminds them of their terrible childhood (oh no) but then they went on to live a healthy life (oh good). What you wrote speaks deeply, affirming their sense of self-worth. And you think, wow. I wish I wrote the poem they think I wrote on purpose. Maybe, deep down, I did mean that.
I love those moments. It’s like a little sip of eternity.
What about you? Have you ever been surprised by someone’s reaction to what you wrote or said, in a good way?
Anne Higa 
yes…i wrote and posted a poem
A BEAUTIFUL PAUSE FOR A CAUSE…
..this is about our fast life…because of which we are not able to enjoy our good life…!!
one of my aunt read the poem.and she was so very connected to it that she brought a print out of it…n that page is on her to do board!!..she was so inspired by the poem…she told that the poem.brought her..a hard struck realization about the world n the life!!.she was awestruck! and thia made my day!!
Hari OM
It always surprises me that folk read any of my various offerings and feel strongly enough to leave a comment! Always a delight – even if they have ‘misread or reinterpreted’ – because then it gives me a chance to move the conversation along! YAM xx
I can relate to both the positive “wow” responses and the people misreading you on purpose. Thanks for sharing.
Like you I’m no longer surprised at being surprised by people’s comments!
That is a good idea – to view all writing as conversation – because that is essentially what it is.
Thank you so much for sharing, I really enjoyed your perspective on writing as a dialogue between the reader and author. I’d never thought of it that way but I really like that way of looking at it:)
I do have one review that bothers me because it’s clear the reader conflated MY opinion with the opinion of one of my characters. But most responses to my work have been gracious, supportive, and kind. Isn’t it special though when someone seems to *really* get what you were going for? Those moments are the best.@samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Whether the comment is positive or negative, if it speaks to them, then its art. 🙂
I love what you say about the meaning of a piece of writing being down to the interaction between writer and reader. That means it’s something different for everyone. A beautiful thought, really.