14 Comments
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Tom Pendergast's avatar

That’s really thought provoking ... it helps me pinpoint this troubling sense with some writers that they are merely manipulating me, a manipulation that I sometimes resent.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for the kind words and the comment, Tom.

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Vanechka's avatar

“ Wearing a sweater as a second layer in Panama makes about as much sense as wearing a Panama hat in the arctic.” 🤌

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Glad that you liked it—thank you.

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Gorgeous reflection. Love to hear others consider and ponder myself why we write. I guess my intentions might even change on a daily and hourly basis. I guess wanting to bring the reader a story, and idea is at the heart of my work when it's fiction, and then I try to surrender to the idea that my emotional reaction might be very different from theirs and dependent on life experience or when they might be reading.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

I can appreciate this introspective point: "I guess my intentions might even change on a daily and hourly basis." My sense is that's probably true for nearly everyone, but only a few people realize it. Thank you for the comment.

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John P. Weiss's avatar

Hallmark movies and Nicholas Sparks novels come to mind. But then, I sometimes craft poignant stories and essays. My intention is not to manipulate, nor is it to be sentimental. But your post is a good reminder. The distance between artfully moving prose and treacly sentimentality may be shorter than we realize.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Absolutely—it is a fine distinction, and the artist's intention is probably what's most important. Thank you for the comment, John.

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Edie's avatar

Well stated. I feel this sense of cynical I-am-being-manipulated whenever I watch a Dan Fogelman show. It's not a great feeling.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for the comment, Edie.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

"... I am attempting to ... articulate the fatigue and exhaustion and ferocity that comes with heat so that you, too, can inhabit those sensations." Done! I have never been on a New York subway, until just now. -- I laughed at your use of "highfalutin". The perfect word. -- Also, I don't know, Charles, you may have a sense of humor after all. I saw it peeking out in several palaces in this piece. I looks good on you.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for the comment, Sharron.

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Michael Mohr's avatar

Quite lovely. Good stuff. The artist wrestling control from complexity: Yes! There certainly is a bit of an underlying controlling narcissism with most art, I’d argue. But I think that’s also why most readers enter the artist’s realm. They expect that. I disagree a tad with your ending: I think both literary and commercial writers manipulate. Mainstream pop writers know all the tools to use to effectively hook you in and sustain your interest. They’re not just writing for delight.

Enjoyed this essay 👍

Michael Mohr

‘Sincere American Writing’

https://michaelmohr.substack.com/

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for adding your thoughts and the comment, Michael.

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