If this isn't your first visit on my blog, you probably know that I am a ghostwriter who loves dark poetry. Writing has been my way to cope with my feelings and played a cathartic role in my life since my teen age years. A few years back, I decided to publish some of my work and I was lucky enough to get a positive feedback for it.

Today I met someone who happened to have read my first book Whiteless Thoughts- Bits of darkness and love. Meeting this person was a bizarre coincidence which lead to an unusual and unexpected confession from her, my newly discovered reader.

While we were having a cup of coffee with a common friend, my reader revealed to me that she had pictured me totally different. She continued saying she was surprised to see that I wasn't the bitter and revengeful feminist she thought I'd be. She added that some of my poems scared her and she was convinced that I must be a really cruel person in real life or at least making part of a dark cult.

You can imagine that her confession baffled me for a few moments. I did not know where to start. I founded it surprising that she was not able to distinguish between imaginary and reality. I explained to her that I like to write from different perspectives and explore my writing skills. Although I mentioned to her she should not believe everything she reads, I doubt that I got my point across.

As a writer I am always interested in getting feedback. This time when I received it, I did not know how to label it because it came under an unknown form. She did not slam my work, she was talking about me.

This strange incident got me thinking. It raised a lot of questions in my mind. Initially I took her reaction as a great compliment. Not always a writer manages to make his characters so credible. I guess I did a good job since those poems scared, repelled and made her feel threatened. Mission accomplished! I succeeded to convey the feeling!

It's true that each person relates to a poem/ story in a unique way; the author and the readers don't use the same filter or perspective. Since I did not know where she was coming from and what were her personal beliefs, I did not take it as harsh criticism. I tried to give a neutral response and let it go.

When I create a poem or write a short story, I try to lose myself, to let go the self-control and self-consciousness and tap into someone else's shoes or mind. It's true that the character comes from me, from my mind, an offspring of my imagination. Each writer is connected with his characters in some strange ways. Though no fiction writer has been charged for writing a crime novel!

Did you ever face such a situation? How did you handle it? Or did you ever ask yourself how others will interpret your work? What will they think of you, if they would associate you with one of your characters? If yes, would you like to share your story?

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Unless stated otherwise, all photos used in this posts are taken and owned by myself. If you wish to use any of my images, please contact me!

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave your feedback in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts!

@2018 LaviPicu aka The Lyme Poet. All rights reserved.