A peasant woodland | A Working Library

The more compelling and interesting reason that most writers seek out readers is, I think, less utilitarian: we receive our writing as a gift, and so it must be given in turn. We write because something needs to be expressed through us, and only by giving the writing to a reader is that need fulfilled.

This is such an interesting back and forth between two of the most intelligent writers/essayists I have the pleasure of reading.

I have thoughts about all of this but they are, percolating.

@patrickrhone I enjoyed the article a lot, too. I had left @ayjay ´s response for later and I just read it. It is truly a privilege to look into their minds and learn.

@estebantxo Part of the percolation I have going on in my mind about these two lines of thought is actually exemplified by these posts.

Before the "social web" the way readers discovered new writers was these sorts of post/response type pieces and the hyperlinks that flowed around that. For instance, when I do write my response I will link to all three of these posts for reference sake and, now, perhaps those that read my work but have no idea who the other writers are will now know, also fall in deep like, and follow/subscribe/visit/read them regularly now too. No social network required.

And I believe that is much more organic and authentic and makes for a better/stronger/friendlier readership. And, I believe, that is at least part of the point @ayjay was making in his piece. But/And I also agree with Mandy in that I believe that is rather easy and to say for those of us who already have an engaged readership, are male, and are privileged in other was to say.

What I love about all of this is that this is EXACTLY the sort of intelligent conversation I wish there was more of and I may be using some if not all of this reply as part of my own my post on the matter.

@patrickrhone It's an honor for me that you took your time to write this reply and/or that my comment made you stop for a while and start putting words to your thoughts. I will certainly read your longer version with delight. I am really happy to witness this exchange of intelligent, insightful and meaningful writing pieces.

@patrickrhone I'm in the midst of Lewis Hyde's The Gift, which Mandy Brown references. One of Hyde's primary theses, to which Brown clearly subscribes, is that "A gift that doesn't move loses its giftedness." If you've not read The Gift, I recommend it. Another quote from is here..

@JimRain Noted. Thanks for the bump. Will look it up in Libby right now.

@patrickrhone looking forward to your response post.

@patrickrhone This discussion-via-blog has been so very lovely to read. Aside from the content, Brown's initial post was written beautifully!

I look to Brown's site a lot while building Pika, both in content and structure. This POS-vs-POSSE dynamic is a thing I've been contemplating as well.

@estebantxo @JimRain @Annie @bjhess My response is here.

There's another part of Mandy's second peice that I want to respond to specifically but I'm not done percolating on that part yet.

@patrickrhone excellent. Going to do some percolating myself on all this.