more generally: an idea is not just a thing in space, but also space in and of itself. that is, the communication of an idea always creates a world (context) which the receiver may explore. the responses provoked within that context modify it accordingly. the evolving dialogue increases the richness of the context and the depth of experience of those engaged in said dialogue.

this blog is a good example of this process in action. a place for us to explore and experience, generated and modified by the ideas expressed here. and every one of us has no choice but to trust each other’s experience of this realm.

these imaginal realms may be seeded with clear and effective communication, but once you’ve projected your intent you must let it go and allow others to drive the dialogue with their own experiences. their experiences and responses depend on the form and virility of your seed and the fertility of the minds you inseminate, so to speak.

…whether it be what you know or what you imagine, just write. It all works itself out in the end.

true. the act of writing designs and generates the very space you’re after, and the creative part of it is entirely your choice, but on the 7th day you really have no choice but to let us fuck around in it (god has the same trouble with the humans in his garden) just as we let your words fuck with our heads.

we trust you tim. trust your audience in kind.

Joyce is quoted as saying “”The demand that I make of my reader is that he should devote his whole life to reading my works.” And I think Joyce was correct– look at all the debate that still centers around FW, as well as “Ulysses”.

Second of all, the job of the author is to write– whether it be what you know or what you imagine, just write. It all works itself out in the end.

From NRO’s “The Corner” blog:

GNOSTIC BLEG [Jonah Goldberg ]

I’m going to ask this is a very open-ended way because I’d like the most feedback possible (but ONLY to my JonahResearch@aol.com address, please) without telegraphing too much my own views. So, in classic exam style:

Modern liberalism is a form gnosticism, true or false? Discuss. Give examples. Please cite outside readings where relevant.

Everybody has a unique perception of reality.

My favorite example: Shades of colors (other than the primaries) are interpreted differently from one person to the next.

So yes as an author to invovle your audience, you must limit the confines of your content.

On the other spectrum, some authors combat this situation by being very discriptive within their work (as in going about non-sensical details about the characters surroundings, delving even into the details of a table), to establish the readers perspective into what you want them to see. (BTW I hate this kind of reading)

Therefore Tim, I believe that once you realise this as you have, you have taken one of the biggest steps in being a good author.