Andrew Alonso's Blog
October 25, 2024
Perspective bias and its effects on the reader / writer relationship
I should preface this with: I’m just getting this whole blog thing going with a topic that fascinates me. 😂🤷♂️
So, having said that, what are your thoughts on this phenomenon? How does it affect you as a writer or reader? For me, it’s sometimes something I worry about, as I don’t tend to break many rules—but I do make exceptions if it enhances the story.
In my latest novel, NOODLE, for example, there are a few parts at the beginning where I’m exploring the world through its eyes, and I felt it needed some rule-breaking that gradually decreases as the narrative progresses. As the plot advances, the titular force evolves into a full-fledged sentience, moving through that awkward, bumbling stage and ultimately becoming a fully sentient antagonist. By the time it reaches this point, the narrative flow becomes more streamlined, with far less need for rule-breaking. This development is meant to create unease, a nascent exploration of being that lets readers feel its inadequacies as a character through the writing itself. It’s hard to explain, I suppose, but it’s something I often wonder might be perceived as unintentional. That said, if it serves the plot, and my core readers understand the intent, it’s worth any misconceptions.
As writers, have you crafted stories where certain parts were not widely accepted, yet resonated with the audience you aimed for?
As readers, has there ever been a book you’ve found others didn’t appreciate as much as you?
So, having said that, what are your thoughts on this phenomenon? How does it affect you as a writer or reader? For me, it’s sometimes something I worry about, as I don’t tend to break many rules—but I do make exceptions if it enhances the story.
In my latest novel, NOODLE, for example, there are a few parts at the beginning where I’m exploring the world through its eyes, and I felt it needed some rule-breaking that gradually decreases as the narrative progresses. As the plot advances, the titular force evolves into a full-fledged sentience, moving through that awkward, bumbling stage and ultimately becoming a fully sentient antagonist. By the time it reaches this point, the narrative flow becomes more streamlined, with far less need for rule-breaking. This development is meant to create unease, a nascent exploration of being that lets readers feel its inadequacies as a character through the writing itself. It’s hard to explain, I suppose, but it’s something I often wonder might be perceived as unintentional. That said, if it serves the plot, and my core readers understand the intent, it’s worth any misconceptions.
As writers, have you crafted stories where certain parts were not widely accepted, yet resonated with the audience you aimed for?
As readers, has there ever been a book you’ve found others didn’t appreciate as much as you?
