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Sharron Bassano's avatar

" ... each word that he writes coalesces with the memories, associations, and connotations that each reader bring to the page, which means that, in many ways, everybody ends up reading a different sentence" .... Readers find what they want in books." Oh, yes! How many times have we tried to discuss a book with someone and found that, though we'd read the same pages, we did not capture the same meaning? ( Same with films.) In my own writing, I never trust that my meaning will be apparent to the reader. I don't mind if they "misinterpret", as long as they find something of value, something that rings true to them. It is the best we can do, I think.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

The principle that it is no longer yours once you send it out is certainly useful. And, at best, readers teach you about your own writing. Thank you for the comment, Sharron.

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Andrew Boryga's avatar

Have read many an Amis piece in the last few days. This is one of the better ones. Great work.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for the kind words, Andrew.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

"There are no rules..."

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Somehow, that's a lesson that must be observed—it comes as a discovery.

And I would argue that—paradoxically—you have to understand all the rules to know that they don't exist.

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

Yes, the fundamentals first. Then the improvisation.

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Mark R DeLong's avatar

Beautifully done.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you for the kind words, Mark.

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John P. Weiss's avatar

It’s always a pleasure to find a writer who inspires us. Great post.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Thank you, John.

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Christian Näthler's avatar

I thought hard on Sunday and periodically since what Amis achieves for me that no other writer does. It is indeed the rush to the desk.

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Charles Schifano's avatar

Absolutely. Thank you for the comment, Christian.

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Kallol Mazumdar's avatar

Some writers are gifted to awaken the inert writer in every being.

If time permits do hover around my publication Thanks..

“Gender roles are a curse rightly so, but when an imposition turns out to be a tool of subjugation that’s when things take a bad turn.”

https://kallolpoetry.substack.com/p/money-prowess-has-been-kept-away-from-my-cooking-hands-1bbba6bda357

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Kallol Mazumdar's avatar

Is there a timeframe for that motivation to kick in, I don’t think so.. But are there some writers that has the capability to influence you more, definitely yes.

If time permits do hover around my publication Thanks..

“Gender roles are a curse rightly so, but when an imposition turns out to be a tool of subjugation that’s when things take a bad turn.”

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