It’s Okay If You Don’t Like To Read
By: Rock Kitaro
It’s okay if you don’t like to read. More specifically, its okay if you don’t want to read my work.
As I get further and further ahead in my writing career, more and more I’m bumping into friends and acquaintances who hear of what I’m doing, and wear a look of shame. They usually begin to say things like:
“Ah man, I’ve been meaning to get around to reading that.”
“Dude, there’s not enough time in the world.”
“Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me of that. I’ve been meaning to buy your book.”
“I’m in the middle of it, but things keep popping up that keep me from finishing it.”
Etc. etc. etc.
With a light-hearted smile on my face, I want to tell them that it’s okay if they simple have no interest in reading my work. I didn’t start writing to burden my friends and acquaintances by adding yet another thing that I’m expecting them to do.
Besides, putting myself in their shoes, I know that my style of writing or subject matter might not appeal to them. I don’t write with a focus on prose or clever wordplay. I’m a story-teller who writes clearly and direct as if I’m speaking to you personally. Some people don’t like this. Some people like reading the literary and poetic arrangement of words more so than the story, however pretentious and pointless it may sound.
And if I do write about something that catches your interest and you start reading and get too distracted by something else to want to continue on…Then I take responsibility for that. All that means is that my story wasn’t interesting enough to keep you coming back for more and I need to step up my game. Hmph…and that’s fine. I’ll accept the challenge. All that means is that I have to be more provocative and engaging, connecting with my reader so much to the point that my words hook into their brains, refusing to let them go.
Stage In The Sky 