Sin City
© James C. Hess
It was recently brought to my attention that there is at least one web log, or blog, dedicated to my writings.
The criticism of them, that is.
Understand: Unlike some of an artistic bent, I don't dislike or disdain criticism. In fact, I welcome it. Especially when it is constructive criticism, and goes to make me a better writer overall.
But constructive criticism, more often than not, contains a subjective element. And it is this element that provides me cause for pause.
So when I learned of this particular blog, because of my particular bent regarding concern, I decided to pay a visit and see what had been written about me, about my writings.
My concerns were somewhat undue. Admittedly, the blogger in question is not a fan of my writings, but is, in all fairness, fair in his criticisms.
Albeit barely.
Recently, for example, he took me to task for previously not revealing that in addition to writing film criticism and movie reviews, I also pen nihilistic mysteries that would no doubt make the likes of Raymond Chandler turned white in response.
Point of fact: I have never attempted to hide any of this information. Point of fact: I have never made an effort to point any of this information out, either. The reasoning and rationale for this behavior is simple: I know the audience, the readership for my regional humor is probably not the same audience and readership for my topical humor. Just as I know the readership, the audience for my non-fiction writing is probably unlikely to be the same readership for my fictional works. And I am fine, content with this situation.
But if it should happen one readership or audience should happen upon another, so be it. Perhaps new friendships or relationships will be forged and a greater readership and audience will result.
Or they might be offended, outraged, and insulted by the fact I write such a variety of things, defying description and easy categorization.
There is reason for why I bring this up, and it is not to impress. It is to make a point: Writing occurs within a given context.
Fictional literature more so. For example, the fictional literature of Stephen King tends to occur within a fictional context otherwise known as horror fiction. Because it does his readership, his audience tends to view his writing within a certain context.
And if they don't, well, so be it. If their sensibilities are offended as a result the blame is theirs alone because they did not recognize and accept the stated context.
