confusion the waitress

[kespernorth]

Confusion and misunderstanding. They bother me more than most people.

As a writer, one of my greatest goals is to be understood. When I write I try to help the reader see the universe as I see it, experience emotions and events as I have.

When I was younger, I was another disaffected, alienated geek boy with no social life. I did my best to hide it (even from myself), but in truth I was horribly, horribly lonely. I was surrounded by bright people, both children and adults, but my interests, my ideas, my passions, made no sense to them. There was no commonality. There was no understanding. It was like I was this funny-looking little space alien with no social skills and a tendency to rant.

But when I wrote, I could explain. I could show people my dreams, right there, painting word-pictures. Instead of seeing an ozone-piercing death missile that represented billions of dollars that could have been better spent saving the spotted owl, people would see a spacecraft as I saw it: an embodiment of hope, of the search for knowledge and enlightenment, the living expression of dreams come true.

I eventually met people who understood my passions and my vision. They don't always agree, but they at least understand. And I eventually learned how to be social, and that part of me which had been starved for social contact for so long opened up and blossomed.

But I kept this: It hurts me to be misunderstood. It saddens and scares me. Not much, just a little -- but being misunderstood, giving the wrong impression, is something I work hard to avoid.

Comments

[chemicallace]

I hate both confusing and misunderstanding with a passion. My life is plagued by problems that result from both...

Even when I write it doesn't quite work. I just have to sit there with someone and try to put the right words together to help them see something the way I see it...

[sarmonster.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I think I can relate.

A recent problem I've been dealing with as well: Do I temper my writing so it's easily understood, or be true to my style, it's worth it to those precious few who do get it.

I'm finally starting to lean towards the latter. Explaining anything is frustrating.

I think it'll be worth it when you find someone who does understand...as opposed to catering to the Lowest Common Denominator-That just wears on me.

[foobiwan.livejournal.com]

As a writer, one of my greatest goals is to be understood.

The greatest one being, of course, to get chicks

[wanderingfey.livejournal.com]

~being misunderstood, giving the wrong impression, is something I work hard to avoid.~

Right there with you.

Stay true to yourself

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

Actually, you must risk to be misunderstood, that's the tough truth as I see it... Somebody further up said there was a dilemma between staying true to your writing or catering to the lowest common denominator. I've had that fight with myself for ages, since I have started to write seriously, that means with the idea and intention to be published. It is quite simple: you life is a limited resource. You spend this to create another limited resource - your art. And you should make sure it's the best you can deliver, and the truest you can get, because you wouldn't want to spend your life writing lies, would you? There are a few compromises, like genre and such. But readers know when they are betrayed, and they react badly to it. Have you never reqad a passage that mader you go like "This is so phony?" - that's when writers are not true to themselves. Express your unique vision and I'm absolutely convinced you'll find people that both understand and appreciate it since they feel it's true. Good luck with your writing!