As children, we are taught to share. Don’t hog your toys—let your friends play with them, too. Share your cookies at snack time. Share, share, share.
Now that we are adults, the same rule should apply, right? Of course, yes, when it comes to things such as snacks.
But what about writing? Do you share? If so, how often? Do you wait until you’re finished with a project and it’s all polished and shiny before you let others read it? Or do you ask for feedback as you go?
Stephen King tells us to “write with the door closed,” and I’m starting to think that he might have the right idea. Purely because I feel like a child once again. I don’t want to share my toys. Because I seem to have lost the one trait I had that most children struggle with—patience.
I’ve decided that I’m not so fond of waiting for feedback. Maybe it’s karma, though, because I’m still beta reading for someone whose book I should have finished weeks ago! I have some of my work out with friends who were kind enough to offer their assistance. I love that they offered. I love that they are going to give me new, different, objective insight into my work. I love their generosity. I truly am appreciative.
Thing is, I want that insight now! Just like Veruca Salt. The song she sings on Willy Wonka has practically become my theme song. I’ve turned into an impatient child who has not been taught how to share. I sometimes say I might as well keep my stuff to myself and wait until I’ve typed those two magic words, The End.
So, I’m sure most of you aren’t thirty-year-old children acting selfish like me, but, my recent attitude leads me to the question – do you share your work?
Do you look for feedback as you go along? Or do you write the entire draft and then edit and then ask for feedback? How do you write?
Are you like Stephen King and trust yourself to get it right, or do you ask for help along the way? I used to ask for help along the way, but now I’m not so sure…. Which way is best — in your humble (possibly selfish) opinion?
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Since winning her first writing competition at a young age, Eden Tyler, has only fallen more in love with the written word. She uses her English, Psychology, and Sociology backgrounds to create depth to her own stories and novels while contributing to and running websites about writing. This is what fulfills her, along with working as Co-Editor for Fuel Your Writing, but she also enjoys the freelance work that puts food on the table (and that ever-essential roof overhead) for her family.
4 Comments so far
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Great question! I don’t like anyone reading my work until I’ve done at least one round of revisions, so I guess I prefer doing it Stephen King’s way. I’ve also been taking his advice to keep writing and don’t do any editing until you’ve finished writing.
Belle´s last blog ..Reading Temptations
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By Belle on 10.09.09 6:23 pm | Permalink
See, I edit as I go — it’s really hard for me not to fix what’s already there before I go on. Maybe, along with keeping my work to myself, I should take King’s advice and just write ’til I’m done. Cause I’m sure not getting v. far doing all this editing/revising. I haven’t written a new chapter in quite a while… I’ve been busy, but it’s still no excuse. I think I’ve been over-thinking the process….
Eden ´s last blog ..Fuel Your Writing. Please
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By Eden on 10.10.09 12:28 am | Permalink
I usually take the Stephen King approach, but now I’m (slowly) opening up to letting others read my work in progress. It started after I took a writing class that involved passing out copies to everyone in my group and letting them sit in a circle and dissect it. Agony the first time, but I discovered that everyone has amazing insight and makes brilliant suggestions I never thought of. Plus, it’s a great ego boost when they say nice things about your work.
So I’m trying to do that more. I have a couple of trusted friends I like to pass stuff off to, because they get what I’m doing and give good insights. It’s good to share… but not too much. I’m still pretty protective… Most of my writing doesn’t go to any eyes but my own. (did I mention I’m slowly learning to let go?
)
Jen´s last blog ..Genre Confusion (or: It’s okay to write YA!)
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By Jen on 10.10.09 8:26 am | Permalink
I think there is benefit to both ways. When I first started writing BLOOD PROPHECY, I had a girl reading each chapter as I finished it. Her eager demands to know “what happens next” kept me motivated. But as I had stuff critiqued before the first rewrite, I was held back.
For this WIP, I’m going to do it King’s way. It seems to feel right. My story is mine alone right now, but I am so impatient to share it that I am motivated to make quick progress.
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By Annarkie on 10.10.09 11:26 am | Permalink
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