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!
Get it out, Leighanna. Post a sample of your writing.
A will like some parts, B will like others. But we will alll chip in, telling you which parts work for one person, which parts don't. We represent a microcosm of your readers worldwide. Except that at this stage, the purpose of our comments will be to improve the work so that it can appeal to the greatest possible number of people when your work is finally published. It could be just punctuation or the use of certain words, or pace. You will be surprised at the kind of things readers notice.
We are waiting Leighanna, with bated breath.
Well said Lorraine :)
Leighanna,
Fear can be a painful constrictor; you can beat it.
:)
No-one would tell you it's hooey, Leighanna - that would be rude and destructive. We try to be constructive and polite here!
I once read a true story about a man on a poor exotic island who carved totems. He gave them away - they were wonderful, and he could have made money out of them, but he wouldn't sell them. After all, what was the point of having a gift if he didn't share it? That was his philosophy.
Bear in mind that not everyone will like a piece of work, in the same way that not everyone likes sci-fi or romance or any genre you care to name. We're all different.
Handing your words out to strangers is like sending your child out unprotected for the first time - almost, but not quite, impossible, and necessary.
What does it matter what I think of your work, if you love it? And what if I do like it, but there are a few things that could be improved - would you be open to that sort of suggestion?
Go on - take the plunge.