An author's thoughts on authority

I wrote an article for Messenger magazine this month titled "Authority?". My focus was on the relationship between the words author and authority. Since writing about authority can be a tricky topic, I found that wondering in the form of questions seemed to be the best way to write this particular piece. It was a neat challenge to write an article entirely in questions. Here is an excerpt from it:

"As an author, why do I feel confident in claiming authority for my own words?

Is it because I think people understand my words and opinions stem from my own personal perspective, which is just as valued as their own?

Is it because when I write a piece, my intentions matter less than the meaning people take from my words?

As an author, do I not give my authority away to my audience who becomes the authority on their interpretations of my words?

Does everyone not read through their own lenses of experience and perspective?

Right now, are you not all reading my words and coming away with a thousand unique thoughts? Does that hurt your brain or make you smile?"