annerb

I'm fairly junior in the writing department, so I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer from that point of view. I'll comment as a reader instead, if that's okay?

I think a lot of interpretation of a story has to do with the reader's state of mind going in. I will admit that I'm only about half way through Roanoke because this has been the week of 1001 distractions and about five paragraphs in I realized that this is a story I'm going to want to curl up with later and read start to finish without interruption, really get into the atmosphere of it, so to speak.

I think a lot of fic readers follow their favourite writers because of a certain something, be it theme, style, characters and pairing, whatever, so when that certain something they expect is not there, they have a bit of panicked 'ohmygod what is this?' moment that pulls them out of the feeling-space they were expecting and colors their perception of the story slightly. Of course this isn't true of all readers, but fic readers can be fickle. (I know I am if I'm in a certain mood)

The other issue, as a reader, is the 1001 interruptions. How many of us open up a story at work to read over lunch, or while we're waiting for that pot to boil while we're cooking, or when ever we have some time to kill? As a reader, you're not giving 100% attention to the story, and as such, you're missing out on the subtle details. So many times I've flagged stories to go back and read again and I'm convinced I'm looking at a completely different story.

I'd have to say though, I've never come across any of your stories where I've had a 'wtf moment' because of lack of description or narration, nor have I been bogged down by too much. You've got the right balance. Now I just need to find some place to hide and read, un-interrupted. :D