Hello!
This is going to sound silly but please just bear with me. I have been writing since I was knee high to a grasshopper, it’s been my life for so long, it will always be my life. I have times where I don’t write so much and then times where it’s practically all I do.
However, I am so scared of sharing some work with you all. I’m scared to death of the criticism. If someone said to me, "that is the biggest load of hooey, I've ever read." I would be shattered. Something that has meant so much to me for so long, to be torn down by criticism I’m not sure I could take it. But it is part of the writing and publishing process. Is there any way to take criticism without it destroying the thing I love? Or do I need to just take the leap of faith and share with you things I’ve worked on for so long?
Many thanks!
Dear Leighanna,
Scour this web-site and count the number of times that you find a "thumbs DOWN" on either a Q&A comment, or a comment on a shared work. (I've seen just 2 so far, and I've been a user for many months.)
The fact is that - given that publishing seems to be a REALLY dwindling business, that editors (and agents) will only take on a VERY limited number of new writers each year, and that there are a LOT more new writers trying to get their first book published - new writers should HATE each other; they should be scratching at eyes and elbowing noses and trampling on each other to try and climb a few rungs up the ladder.
Instead, I have never come across a social network of supposed rivals that is as friendly as this web-site. Writers who "SHOULD" be spending all their time and energy trying to get their own work noticed take a great deal of trouble (and give a great deal of thought) to help others in the same position.
Yes, there is criticism. You will read (about others' work and probably about your own) "This [sentence / paragraph / plot] doesn't work for me". Quite often, something on the lines of "Why don't you try - - - - -".
Believe me, Leighanna, this is CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. It is made because we - ALL of us - really CARE about good writing. We WANT you to give it your best. We're willing to point out when you're not doing that. But just what kind of book do you want the publishers to agree to publish for you? One that's "just OK", one that's "got potential to sell", a "guaranteed-formula best-seller" (without heart or soul)... or the very best that you can achieve (with a little help from your friends)?
And if/when you finally get that publishing deal, you can bet that we're all going to be saying "Oh SHIT!!! Why HER??? Why not me???" Absolute nonsense! We're all going to be happy for you. Believe me.
Just to add to the excellent comments you've already received, I used to feel the same way & likened it to running into a room full of people and tearing off my clothes - exposed & vulnerable. BUT it does get easier and is absolutely invaluable. Often what you think you have put on the page doesn't fully come over that way to the reader, so feedback will help you to present your work at it's best. Everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Hi, I haven't come to give you advice, that is for the people who are good at that, and already you have had some very sound advice. I can only tell you how this community has helped me progress. I shared my work and I got a critique not criticism, at first when I read the comments (and I have to be honest here) at first I thought that's not the way I want to say it. However, I took the advice after reading other people's shared work and seeing the same type of direction, then it made sense, I thought I knew all I needed to know, not big headed just naive. So yep I listened and worked at my presentation. My punctuation is appalling, fortunately I have help with that now so it is good to share, when you share you receive. I have NEVER read a critique that was destructive just the opposite. This community encourages and directs, if you share then you will receive sound guidance. My work is so much better since it stopped being mine. Share your work it will help you move on and hopefully submit your work to an agent. That is something everyone here will help and encourage you to do. DO IT!!!
Looking forward to reading your work, regards Paul G