by ValerieW-17, 3 December 2009

RESONANCE

IN my last blog, I wrote about the importance of "Readability", today, I'd like to continue on a similar theme...

If readability is the x-factor of good writing, resonance is its equally important--if even more enigmatic--twin sibling.

It’s a difficult concept to define, but picture the following scenario: you’re reading a work of “classic literature” and against all expectation, you have to admit it: the imagery is gorgeous, the diction subtly nuanced, the sense of irony just so. The work is undoubtedly good. And yet… You’re almost certainly going to be branded a heretic by your English teacher, but you can’t lie to yourself any longer: you just aren’t feeling it.

Maybe it’s because I’m in IB and my reading list is therefore as long as one of Polonius’ speeches, but I’ve come across this scenario so many times, I’ve lost count. Still, the fact remains that it is extremely difficult to like a work--no matter how profound or readable it may be--if there is no resonance, no sense of empathy, no personal connection. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of cognitive bias, but we humans certainly seem to be drawn to that which most resembles ourselves and our values.

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So what, then, do we do with this knowledge?

We writers could start by not taking it so personally when our work doesn’t resonate with someone---we are, after all, creatures of habit that are susceptible to our individual whims.

At the end of the day, life is a celebration of individuality, so let’s party away.

COMMENT BELOW: Do you agree that resonance is all important to keep YOUR interest? What about 'disruptive' cognition, where one is "awakened" and interest perked because something is SO different and unexpected? Anyone have concrete examples to share? login and comment below, or email us at EDITOR[at]iCUBED.us. ... STAY TUNED right here on the BOOKS BLOG, because, next up, we have a review of the TWILIGHT SERIES by KavidhaN-20, possibly "the only ANTI-FAN" of Belle and her assorted crew of devilish demons, vamps and werewolves, articulate and well informed enough to share her exact reasons for NOT liking the series - "no resonance" comes up as a reason...

Please also read ... THE FUTURE OF BOOKS ON PAPER HOW BOOKS USED TO BE MADE (a video) KavidhaN-20 pips, "How I Resisted TWILIGHT's Charms, I read it!" ValerieW-17 on "THE IMPORTANCE OF READABILITY"