In college, it wasn’t unusual to get involved in discussions about how important “author’s intent” was to a work. My “fondest” memory was of a professor who was convinced that it didn’t matter that Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein on a dare; what mattered is that she was supposedly influenced by obstetrics manuals of the period.

Needless to say, I was pretty vocal in that class.

Now, years later I can see the other side to the argument about writer’s intent and that is, that the world the author lives in can shape a writer’s work as well. This can also determine how a reader responds to the work as well—especially those who heavily influenced by propaganda, reviews or “official” opinions.

Conscientious writers who understand both the business side of writers and the creative process typically have a singular intent and that is—to sell books. I’ll often read comments or hear other experienced writers say, “Well, duh! Monica, of course they want to sell books!” I may sound like I’m beating a tired drum, but consumers, reporters, fans, and those who romanticize what writing is all about really don’t. Grand Theft Auto, for example, typically draws a lot of controversy but here’s the thing about that: Don’t you think that the intent of that game is to create a buzz to sell more product?
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