So much of writing is living in this insular little world only you and your characters inhabit. It is just as real as the world we live in, and sometimes coming back from it can be a little frightening. Sharing that world then becomes even more so because suddenly your world is up for debate. (Very exciting)
I tend to feel a little ashamed when I put work up on these things for peer review. Ashamed because it doesn't feel like I’m doing much to progress, rather finding a new way to procrastinate. I know my use of the apostrophe is shocking and the amount of semi colons I splat about the place is a shootable offence. My spelling can be humorous at times; especially when the word processor thinks breed is bread and I don’t pick up on it when I read back. But I am aware and that is what editing is for. I’m not really interested in your ideas for developments of my characters, only that you are enjoying them and have a desire to find out what happens to them next (or not). The books have been written, the story told. This sounds really snooty, horrid I know.
If I were you, and I were reading this, I would be thinking: “ well bugger off then.” But so many people have told me of this magical beast “ writers communities.” Where deep discussion is generated over the theoretical implications of the text’s we create, where real feedback and encouragement is possible. Where you can go and find friends who actually want to give you honest “This is shit, you don't know what you’r doing, you need to review your character interactions because nothings coming across,” reviews. You see I’m at this strange place, where I’m not looking for encouragement to write, I’m looking to get honest weather gage for my work. Hopefully I can take the pain and it will make me a better writer. If a good friend of mine (who is actually a writer) had not told me to go back through the five books and take out A) copious description. B) quickly, quietly, and all the other unneeded ley’s, and C) pointed out all the stupid bits where I had overstated a point. I never would have thought, actually I need to do a lot of work on this. I would have submitted and been laughed at. I’m still not convinced I won’t be laughed away when I send in work, but I suppose thats what a community is for?
Really, after this long and very narcissistic rant, what I’m asking is for you to share your valued experiences. I’m hoping that you can show me how I can really use these communities; how I can make these illusive writing friends that I have heard about. I want to know if it has helped you edit your works? If it has given you ideas for competitions and ways to promote your self? If it has helped you publish or given you more confidence to try?
@ Sandra. Journy! its like the Somme out there! luckily I think I have really stumbled across a gem here with writers and artists. Its great to have some guidance. I was very skeptical at first but the response I have seen here has been rather encouraging.
@ Simon, I've been reading through your blog actually, its packed full of usefulness and its lovely to know that we have somebody actively using the forums as well as writing for us. I will defiantly have a look at howaboutwecp as a bit of brutal honesty is what I need. There are so many lovely people I'm worried I will end up with 'emperors-new-clothes' syndrome, and when I send work off I will be told. "No dear your naked."
There will be lots of "No" im sure, im actually beginning to look forward to them, just with my clothes on.
Hi,
It's great that you're willing to look for real life, practical critiques of your work - probably a lot of writers actually want someone to tell them everything they do is brilliant. An agent I know, Jessica Sinsheimer, has recently launched a (partly tongue in cheek) site for finding critique partners - http://howaboutwecp.tumblr.com/. Could well be worth checking out. For brutal honesty, it's certainly the thing.
You may well have seen it, but I also have a blog post on this site all about community and finding it - http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/2013/03/getting-plugged-in-to-the-writing-community. I think it's a tad more on the inspirational side than you're after, but it has most of my thoughts on this topic all brought together.
I'm sure you'll do fine! It's terribly daunting, this submitting of manuscripts and the prospect of being turned down, but we're all in the same boat :) But then that's the real adventure of it isn't it? Whether or not we end up published, we all, at least for a small while, travel down the same road of nerves and doubts like so many other great writers and authors... I would say try and relax, but I despise hearing that myself... so I suggest simply to enjoy the journey from unpublished writer to author :) nothing really stays the same :)