I’m Having a Hard Time Saying No: How Can I Be More of a Literary Asshole?

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Résumé

Reader-focused writing advice

The article discusses frustration with the trend in writing advice that prioritizes reader preferences, often framing readers as a monolithic group whose tastes dictate what writers should create.

This approach reduces the relationship between writers and readers to a producer-consumer dynamic, where success is measured by marketability rather than artistic integrity.

The author argues that this perspective flattens the complexity of both writers and readers, ignoring the personal and creative motivations behind writing.

For example, writing advice frequently suggests avoiding certain elements because 'readers don’t like it' or promoting others because 'readers love it,' which the author finds depressing and limiting.

The article also highlights the pressure from some writers who justify this approach by emphasizing the need to make a living, contrasting it with the view that art should stem from genuine curiosity rather than commercial considerations.

The author acknowledges that while making a living is important, it should not overshadow the primary purpose of art: to explore beauty, joy, and the human experience.