Writing is Essentially an Aggressive Act

A sentiment of mine which I heard expressed (in 1971!?) by novelist? Joan Didion:  i.e., that writing is essentially an aggressive act, camouflage it however you may try.  It is blatantly saying I, I, I. Listen to me. Hear me.  See what I see.  Understand it how I understand it.  See it how I see it.  Follow me. 

And I agree completely.  It all seems so presumptuous, so arrogant, almost megalomaniacal.  And all the more blatantly so with titles like “Doing the Right Thing”! as if I were the ultimate arbiter of what that is!