Suddenly the whole imagination of writing and editorial and newspaper and all these presumptions about who am I reading this, and who else other people may be, and all that, it's so grimly brutal!

In this quote, Robert Creeley reflects on the complexities and challenges of the writing and editorial process. He highlights how the act of creating something to be published for others to read can become an overwhelming task. The idea of who the audience is, and what they may think of the work, adds a layer of pressure that can feel brutal. Creeley expresses a frustration with the expectations and judgments that come with writing for a public audience.

Creeley’s words suggest that the process of writing is not just about creative expression, but is also influenced by the external forces of publishing and audience perception. These external factors can turn the act of writing into something less about personal creativity and more about meeting presumptions and societal expectations. The constant question of "who am I writing this for?" becomes a looming question that adds a level of anxiety and self-doubt for the writer.

The quote also touches on the disconnection that can occur when writers think too much about their readers. Instead of focusing purely on the creative process, they begin to consider how their work will be interpreted or judged, which can be a distracting and unsettling experience. For Creeley, this shift in focus makes the act of writing feel more like a grind than a free expression of thought.

Ultimately, Creeley’s frustration underscores the internal conflict that many writers face: the tension between the authenticity of their creative voice and the pressures of being evaluated by others. This brutal reality of publishing is something many writers must navigate, balancing the need for self-expression with the demands of an external audience.