Consider This - Interacting with Readers

Last year I did a talk for the Society of Women Writers based upon a quote from Joanne Rowling during an interview she did with Jennifer Byrne (September, 2012) for the launch of her new adult fiction book, “The Casual Vacancy”.

Jennifer remarked that when people heard she was going to interview Jo they were asking. “Why is she writing? She doesn’t need to write.”

To which Jo responded: “I need to write.”

Then Jo Rowling went on to point out that the more important question is: “Why is she publishing?”

And indeed, why do we, as authors, seek publication? If we need to write, what’s the compulsion to publish? Surely, writing should be enough. Jo summed it up very well when she answered her own question:

Jo Rowling said: “I am in the glorious position that I don’t need to publish… Ultimately as a writer, I think, what you really want is to have a conversation with readers. So you can kid yourself that you are writing entirely for yourself. Most writers write to be read… Part of the pleasure of writing is talking to readers about it.”

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of having that conversation with readers as an author Role Model in the fantastic Books in Homes programme. And what a privilege to be there to see the joy in the faces of those Primary School Students as they clutched their three chosen books provided to them for free due to a generous corporate sponsor. A very small school with 70% non-English speaking background (and some recent arrivals) and teachers and a Principal who have a passion for reading and English - how refreshing. Here they are studying "The Hobbit"! (Not easy English for many let alone new speakers of English.)

The greatest buzz is walking into a room and hearing the whispers as they recognise me from my blog and website ("That's her."). That is special. And their genuine interest in the writing process.

Makes me want to get back to writing more!