It's easy to forget that perspective is unique to each of us. I put a book cover model up as my image, because, really, who wants to see a picture of me. I'm older than dirt. It never occurred to me that some people might think she's a real girl. Or that she's ME. And I've been amused from time to time by people who try to date my poor Chrissie icon, my fictional girl from The Girl on the Half Shell.
But there is a lesson in that I think writers need to retain. We sit down and write a story, and each element of that is colored by our own history and perspective. It is true for readers too. Perspective is such a personal thing you cannot expect your work to have the perfect balance and blend of everything for everyone. I've been asked, "If everyone is so rich in Half Shell, why don't they have cell phone?" Answer: "darling there were no cell phones in the 80s." There are also phrases that come up with us through time that are altered by popular culture, even geography, so much so that their meaning changes and one forgets that they were common and had relevance long before Clint Eastwood said, "Go ahead and make my day!" If you're British, you'll understand this: My husband doesn't let me call him Randy in the UK. I have to call him Randall.
I am fortunate enough to have grown up in interesting times. I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a multi-generational family. How many writers today can say their grandparents were born in a foreign land in the 1890s. I've learned history not only from books, but from people who live it. My brother-in-law, several decades older than me, shared his amazine tale of fleeing Spain in the 30s, of what it was light during that time of great global conflict, and how he got from Paris to Argentina to New York.
But at the end of the day, those are part of my perspective of what I write, and my readers bring their own. It's the way it works. It is part of the magic of being a writer. Sometimes they love you. Sometimes they hate you. Sometimes you've made someone think. Sometimes people are just plan pissed off at you. Sometimes they love all the little touches authentic, the attention details of the times I write of. Sometimes you get an email: "Why the frick do they not have cell phones?"
Indie publishing is bridging the world. Writers all over the globe have access to readers all over the globe. The challenge of telling a tale is larger and experience so much the better. But the best thing is, it makes each of our universes grown. I share a story and often get amazing experiences and insights in return.
Being praised for your work feels pretty darn good. I won't fib about that. But criticism is when you learn; how to improve your craft and all the marvelous differences of the people on this plant. We are connected in a moment of time within the covers of book. How amazing is that? It's why I thank all my readers. The ones who love me and the ones who would want to throw a kindle at me.
As ever, I wish you Peace.
But there is a lesson in that I think writers need to retain. We sit down and write a story, and each element of that is colored by our own history and perspective. It is true for readers too. Perspective is such a personal thing you cannot expect your work to have the perfect balance and blend of everything for everyone. I've been asked, "If everyone is so rich in Half Shell, why don't they have cell phone?" Answer: "darling there were no cell phones in the 80s." There are also phrases that come up with us through time that are altered by popular culture, even geography, so much so that their meaning changes and one forgets that they were common and had relevance long before Clint Eastwood said, "Go ahead and make my day!" If you're British, you'll understand this: My husband doesn't let me call him Randy in the UK. I have to call him Randall.
I am fortunate enough to have grown up in interesting times. I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a multi-generational family. How many writers today can say their grandparents were born in a foreign land in the 1890s. I've learned history not only from books, but from people who live it. My brother-in-law, several decades older than me, shared his amazine tale of fleeing Spain in the 30s, of what it was light during that time of great global conflict, and how he got from Paris to Argentina to New York.
But at the end of the day, those are part of my perspective of what I write, and my readers bring their own. It's the way it works. It is part of the magic of being a writer. Sometimes they love you. Sometimes they hate you. Sometimes you've made someone think. Sometimes people are just plan pissed off at you. Sometimes they love all the little touches authentic, the attention details of the times I write of. Sometimes you get an email: "Why the frick do they not have cell phones?"
Indie publishing is bridging the world. Writers all over the globe have access to readers all over the globe. The challenge of telling a tale is larger and experience so much the better. But the best thing is, it makes each of our universes grown. I share a story and often get amazing experiences and insights in return.
Being praised for your work feels pretty darn good. I won't fib about that. But criticism is when you learn; how to improve your craft and all the marvelous differences of the people on this plant. We are connected in a moment of time within the covers of book. How amazing is that? It's why I thank all my readers. The ones who love me and the ones who would want to throw a kindle at me.
As ever, I wish you Peace.
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