Don't Think About Them...Yet

I've just watched the Oprah episode featuring the cast of Brokeback Mountain. For such young people, they sure say profound stuff! But what struck me most was what Jake Gyllenhaal said about public reaction to the movie. He said they had no idea it would have such a powerful impact and if they did, they probably wouldn't have done it.

"You have go and you have to jump into it and if you’re thinking about a response from people while you’re doing it then there’s no way you’re going to be able to do it."

I think this should be in every writer's Code of Writing too. Too many editors and publishers holler 'write what your audience want, not what you want!' and while this is perfect for the sales and marketing team, it does zilch for the writer's creative process and emotional satisfaction.

If you're always wondering about your reader's response to every scene, you'll never get it right. No scene will be funny enough, sad enough, angry enough, poignant enough....because you'll be writing from other people's hearts and minds. Your writing will only have the desired effect when it holds a piece of your mind, heart and soul. because when you're honest about what you want, your readers won't be able to help wanting it too.

And then, your writing will be perfect.