Flusterization...

Susan raises an interesting point over at Spinning about the audience reaction and writing. If an audience doesn't 'get' or 'see' what you were trying to show them, is it the writing's fault? Well, to me anyway, its yes. And no.
An image or idea can fail to transmit for any number of reasons. Improper presentation. Foreign references. Over(or under)-profundity than was expected. Lazy reading. Lazy writing. Distractions. Resistance. Stupidity. Left-handedness. Whatever...

Now, the people who know me might think that my caring about this issue would be the same as I would give to a rat's ass, but that's not really the case. I've cracked many a joke that only got me a blank stare or a vague smile, and it drives me bonkers when it happens. But those missteps are almost more important. How can you refine technique in a constant stream of applause and praise?

}:)

P.S. A favorite author of mine wrote a series of satirical fantasy novels where he not only embraced the cliches, but actually made them the Laws. Every barbarian had to wear a loincloth, and all beautiful women had to be half-naked and in danger. When the critics reviewed the first book, do you know what they said? "His world is just like everybody else's..." Amazing, isn't it?