A Writer’s Responsibility
Beth Terrell (writing as E. Michael Terrell) is the author of Racing the Devil, featuring Nashville private investigator Jared McKean. Beth is a member of MWA, Sisters in Crime, and the Private Eye Writers of America. She is also the Executive Director of the Killer Nashville Crime Literature Conference.
Several months ago, our local Sisters in Crime chapter discussed Stieg Larsson’s first book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. One member found the book particularly offensive and felt that the book, while ostensibly decrying violence against women, actually glorified it. This led to a discussion about what responsibility, if any, a writer has to his or her readers. During this discussion, another member became agitated and said, “It’s just a story. It’s entertainment. It doesn’t mean anything!â€
Doesn’t mean anything?
I thought of the books I’ve read and loved over the years. I read 
Little Women when I was nine; after reading the scene in which the girls make metaphorical their bundles of faults, I made a list of my own and carried it with me everywhere to remind me to do my best to overcome them. Books like To Sir with Love and 
Christy inspired me to pursue my dream of being a teacher, while A Small Outsider, written by Joan Martin Hundley about her son David (who had autism) convinced me that special education was my calling. Without that book, I might never have spent eight summers working at Easter Seal Camp, gotten my Masters in Special Education, or spent twelve years in special ed classrooms.
Books have changed my life.
So, what responsibility does a writer have to readers? One could argue (and many have) that the only responsibility any writer has is to tell a riveting story. Just as celebrity basketball players who choke their coaches never volunteered to be role models, writers don’t sign a secret writer contract promising to uplift spirits or stimulate thought. Even so, the stories we tell reveal more than we might like about our inner landscapes, and as a result, all books send a message, even if it’s unintentional. Most writers hope their stories will live on and that readers will find meaning in their words. These writers enter into a voluntary covenant with their readers: come with me, and I will do my best to tell you a story that will touch your heart.
Every writer must decide for him- or herself what covenant he or she will make with readers.
This story will help you escape to another world.
This story will make you think about x in a completely different way.
This story will introduce you to people you will love like old friends.
I can’t think of a better one than this: This story is the best work I’m capable of.
What more could anyone ask?
June 1, 2010
Posted in: Guest Blogs
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5 Responses
Oh, yes, Beth.
As a person who got most of her education from reading — despite the fact that a lot of it was reading for escape — I hope as a writer I am able to do several things well:
Use language that engages the reader.
Tell a story that gives enjoyment and/or escape.
Provide some food for thought.
I’d like to do more in the line of teaching and suggesting spiritual growth, but so far haven’t succeeded to my satisfaction without losing the elements of a good story. Definitely, I think all writers need to be aware of the social consequences of their work, and I like the covenants you have suggested.
Thank you, Pat.
I think, as you’ve discovered, the story has to come first. The message comes through naturally.
I love your list of things you do well. If you have those three things down, you can’t help but have a winner.
Beth, yours is the most sensible and sensitive post concerning a writer’s obligation to his/her readers that I’ve yet to read. You hit the nail on the head when you said that, intentionally or not, writers infuse something of their own value system into their work. Novels that reek of descriptive violence carry a message to the reader that says the writer is not overly bothered by such scenes, perhaps has become hardened to violence in life, and doesn’t feel his readers should be bothered by these scenes either.
‘come with me, and I will do my best to tell you a story that will touch your heart.’
That sounds like a good goal.
Interesting post. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Mary and John.
I’d be interested to know what goals other writers set for themselves and what commitment(s) you feel you’ve made to your readers.
I’ve read several books like the ones Mary describes, where extreme violence is almost glamorized. I’ve also read some books where extreme violence is depicted with a sensitivity that reminds the reader (at least, this reader) how devastating and far-reaching such events can be. It’s a tough balance to find, I think.
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