1) they encourage the folk on the list & show support
for their work;
2) they allow others to find out about work someone feels is
good.
better when the list includes notes of engagement rather
than just a plain list. in a perfect world, that's what would happen.
some dislike best of lists because they think it's not nice
for those that aren't included. I see that; however, in the creative world, not
everyone is included in everything. that's part of the creative life. the same
people who might not be on my best of list might have won an award this year,
gotten grants, been invited to read, been published etc. so I don't feel guilty
about not including them.
furthermore, I take issue with the idea that one shouldn't
express an opinion, that there's something wrong with admitting to liking
something. I despise moderation. I want to know about the work that excites
people whose taste is like mine or whose opinions I trust because as a reader,
a music lover, an art appreciator, knowing this makes me want to explore their
choices.
Canadians as a rule have a problem with the idea of having
an opinion, with feeling strongly about things, but I don't. But I'm not making
these lists to stroke the egos of pals or curry favour with publishers. I'm
making them because I care deeply about good works being known to others &
I care about paying attention to those who create these works. Is my opinion
subjective? Hell yeah. So god damn what?
Obviously I can't read every piece of writing that is
published in a year or listen to every album. Anyone with any sense knows &
understands that. My lists are based solely on what I have access to. It doesn’t
mean I won't write about something I've enjoyed later when I discover it.
As a writer, I am happy for the literary community as a whole
and the person in question when attention is paid to a particular author. It
helps me as well when support is given to a writer or creator. I don't feel
slighted when my own stuff isn't included on any best of lists or I don't get
awards. I have no sense of entitlement. Creating art is 99.9% perspiration with
a damn hard dash of disappointment. So I give encouragement where I can & I
let people know when I find something I believe is worth talking about.
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