Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Books Belong to Readers


“How do you think Secret Sister ended?”
My dear friend Kathleen R. asked me this question when we were discussing my new book and the reviewer’s response to it. I was surprised at her question, and my first thought was, ‘what do you mean, how do I think it ended? I know how it ended. I wrote it.’
But of course her question was brilliant, as are most things Kathleen R. says are. And it got me thinking.
My opinion on how Secret Sister ends is just that, my opinion. I weaved hints, clues, and statements of fact throughout the 90,000 word novel.  I  ‘showed’, like all we authors try to do, what the various characters were thinking, mulling, and concluding about the very strange situation Cathy and Nick Chance found themselves in. And my opinion is solidly based on my reading (and writing) of this contemporary ‘trading places’ romance.
But that doesn’t make me the final word, or ‘right’. About any of it.
Authors tell their story, and if we do it well, the ending themes and situations are clear and factually grounded in the incidents that make up the story.  Yet, I knew this but may have forgotten it, readers bring themselves to every story. The novels we immerse ourselves in reflect back into us, illuminating each of our unique life experiences.  They let us confirm, and question, our positions on life and love, and innocence and guilt, and on all the wonderful complexity of the human soul.
How many wonderful arguments have each of us had over the years about a particular character’s true motives or emotional make-up? I’ve had several heated ones in my critique group about New Yorker magazine short stories, books and numerous films…some of the most heated about characters in each of our books! “What do you mean he’s a sniveling weakling, I think this shows he’s empathetic,” I believe is an exact comment I uttered. Possibly more than once. (My male characters are very in touch with their feminine side. HA!)
The reviews about Secret Sister have certainly proven this to me…I have been shocked at readers judging the book as ‘intense’ or ‘painful’.  I’ve loved that most find the plot really hooks them and they can’t figure out how it’s going to end. But I’ve also been unhappy that some have pretty much hated my characters ‘at one time or another’ when reading. How could they hate these folks, I wondered? Yes, they are flawed and make mistakes, and are a bit self-involved, but… Okay, I just read that and realize, yeah, readers could hate them. Some of the time (the author wrote hopefully).
But why did some readers love these guys, and others not? But of course, Kathleen R.’s comment is the answer. The words of the story touched something in each of the readers, something unique and wonderful in their memory or heart, something I may not have intended, but something real for that reader. And real for the reader is real. Reading is a collaborative sport, and the author doesn’t get to complain about what a reader concludes. No matter what.  
So, as for the ending of Secret Sister? Cupcake’s review on Goodreads and Amazon said, “The ending  is not as neat as it appears, and you will find yourself asking "what if ..."
This, in my somewhat shocked opinion as a writer, is a valid take away.  It wasn’t consciously designed to be an ending open to interpretation. But I realize that, if I tell the honest truth, a case can be made for Secret Sister’s final scene to prove almost the opposite of what I intended.   
Ahhh…the subconscious mind. All those experiences in my life, rising up and ambushing my good narrative intentions. Or, fulfilling them?   
The bottom line is ‘Yay readers’. They get the final say what your book ‘means’. It is what the reading experience is really all about. Thank you, Kathleen R., for reminding me of this.  


15 comments:

  1. Really well written blog post Emelle!

    Nearly everything in life is subjective, and our own histories, experiences and complexities shape how we view the world, on the page (screen) and everywhere else. I think that people's perception of stories (especially the great ones, which are open to interpretation) are very telling.

    Cheers to you for being open and confident enough to leave your story open to interpretation. It makes it all the more interesting.

    And lots of love:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, my lovely London fan. I agree that subjective is the rule, and actually, isn't that what most creative material hopes for? For the reader or viewer or listener to engage and conclude...? As always, lovely to hear from you! I'm hoping to share a cup of tea with you sometime soon, and we can discuss this more.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the concept of reader as collaborater bringing to the story what Olivia described so well above. I think that a BOOK ends but the story does not. The characters lives go on. We are seeing a slice of their lives, what brings them together or tears them apart. How many books have you wished had sequels? From Gone With the Wind to Pride and Prejudice -- it would make an intersted list wouldn't it. I think that's one of the reasons that series are so popular and the well done ones like the In Death deries and Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga enthrall us becasue the book may end but the story does not and we get to see the characters we care most about grow and change. Jeez better stop here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Mary Blayney, food for thought and beautifully put. Yes...the characters lives do go on! I've never actually thought of that before. It comforts me greatly to think this...kind of like when you lose a loved one, they go on as long as you remember them and think of them! Thanks for posting!

      Delete
  4. Emelle ~ You are so right. Someone said it recently and I wholeheartedly agree . . . the book is ours until we publish it, then it's the readers. How they interact with it will be how they interact with it. If we've done our jobs (which you have), we guide them along the way, showing the road signs. But they're not forced to take the path more traveled if their experience has been the road less traveled. I think it's John Barthes (I could be wrong) who talks about Reader Response and how every reader brings their life experience to the text. And how they respond is often dependent on what they know and believe. Good for you that you've written an ending that can be interpreted in more than one way--of course that will please some readers and, well, tweak others. ;0)As you said, its a collaboration--the best kind possible. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mackenzie Lucas! As always, your insight and understanding of the story and the reader blow me away. And yes, it helps all of us as authors to remember this, that it is ours until we publish it! Thanks so much for posting.

      Delete
  5. What a wonderful reminder, Emelle, that readers breathe their own life into the author's story. I've done it, and still do. In my reading adventures, the characters are alive and live on even after "the end" and I close the book. That always happens when when the story wings its way into my own imagination. I become invested in the choices the characters make, the passions they fulfill, and the pain they live through. And since it's the emotional journey that keeps me turning the pages, the story becomes personal for me and it becomes flavored with my own POV. And when a reader cares, no matter the reason, it makes for a happy author, and a great partnership. That's what I believe. Thank you, Emelle, for provoking this great writer and reader dialogue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deborah Barnhart, thanks so much for your post. Your emotional connection to characters and ability to feel what the characters are feeling is the most productive kind of reading! No wonder you're a writer, too! Communicating our stories is so important to all of us...and I'm so blessed to have fellow writers to discuss this with.

      Delete
  6. awesome!!! bolg's really great that you created..
    I was impressed with your conclusion...
    I agree and really great views...
    do not forget to look at my web ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joyce Chong, thank you for the kind words! I'm sorry I didn't notice your post earlier. Please send me your blog/website and I'll visit. And if you get a chance to read Secret Sister, do let me know what you thought! Best regards-

      Delete
  7. Now I get it...Let me say I did like the characters in Secret Sisters..and I knew right away something was special about Roxanne and Cathy. I was relieved that Nick did not sleep with Roxanne and get her pregnant...I can't explain it but I just was. I'm happy that Nick saw his true love that he went to her...It tore me up when the accident happened. I'm going to say he believed her and no doubts in his mind it was truly his wife. It was an emotional book and it touched me...I felt a heartache when Cathy tried so hard to prove to Nick to look past her physical features and look into her heart...he finally did...there souls reached out to each other..I saw that..It was so beautiful...Hope I didn't write too much...great book....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mona! You did not say too much at all...and wonderful reader you are! and I understand your relief, many readers said this to me. We do want people, even fictional people, to be their best selves, I think. Great post! Keep in touch!

      Delete
  8. excuse me, I know this is irrelevant to the book, but can you please tell me which artist painted the picture above? thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Winslow Homer, American Painter

      Delete
    2. Nina, keeper of the knowledge. Love Homer! And you!Happy Valentine's Day coming up.

      Delete