As a writer or artist I don't think you ever really start out thinking that you can actually physically connect with your audience. Most people talk about wanting to get a reaction, hoping that it will make people think and take action.
They put themselves out there and wait to see if their work clicks with anybody. Maybe 10 to 20% of those people go so far as to "market their work". The rest just do it for recreational sport or try to get themselves taken seriously but nobody does.
Then, once in a while, you start getting attention and can't help but wonder about this strange connection that you have with the audience. Is it an obligation to keep producing? Now you've got followers and a fan base. Or is it ego driven? Now you finally have somebody paying attention.
No matter what it is, it is definitely a lopsided relationship. You know who I am, I don't know you.... or do I? Behind the false security of the internet I can still find who you are and where you live. If I do enough research I can probably see your front door and the roof of your car. Most people probably don't realize that.
You browse the web and stop at a few choice reads and then move on. In a day or more you might come back and check out a few more entries. So the question remains: If you, as the reader, are not really all that isolated from me as the writer, why no comments? If it is thought provoking, where are those thoughts?
Then again, maybe this is the nature of the beast and most writers only pay lip service to wanting that reverse input. Perhaps this is just a case of be careful what you wish for or you just might get it. After all, if you really wanted to get some feedback you'd probably go stand half naked in the middle of a busy intersection and wear a sign saying "talk to me". You wouldn't want to be fully naked or they might think you're just weird and steer clear.
Granted the internet is full of people that best keep their opinions, and hands, to themselves. But if you are a relatively ordinary person with a response, maybe it's time to post a comment.
