Who do you share your work with? Who are your readers? Do you limit yourself to your critique buddies? Have you found some Beta Readers via your blog? My daughter is my first reader, then my critique buddies (listed on the my side bar) are next. Once I get my critiques back (usually about 4 or 5 people are available to critique) I make revisions and start the process again. I haven't shared my work with very many people. Today I got an exciting email from my sweet blog friend Lenny. He said he would like to read A CAKE I WILL BAKE before I go to the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) next month. :) HUGS to Lenny!!!
What about you? Who do you share your work with? Do you share it with non-writing friends? You know...readers?
(This is Bill. Bill is a reader.)
We took some new Iowa friends to the lake with us on our last trip. We swam, ate, played games, tubed, skied, watched movies and read. Yep, that's right we read. Nothing says friends like walking in a room and everyone has a book or a kindle or an ipad in front of them and they are reading. :)
We talked about books and ebooks. They have a kindle and an ipad! We have books, lots of books. I bit the bullet and asked Bill if he would be interested in reading one of my picture book stories. He said sure. Then he got real serious. "I read for two purposes," he says. "To be entertained or to improve myself or myself at work. I'm not easy to impress." "No worries," I say. "I want honest feedback." (Holy cow, this guy is going to make me run and hide in the closet!) I hand him my computer and walk in the kitchen to do the dishes.
Then he said those magical words. "I liked it. I really liked it. I could feel the emotion in the characters. I could feel the anxiety in the two little girls...their fear." (I was so relieved!) Then he teared up and continued to tell me how he could feel the story deep inside him.
I thanked him and had to walk away. I was in tears. I'm still overwhelmed that my words gave someone this reaction. (smile)
Letting someone new read my words was scary...
I have a challenge for you...Let someone new read a piece or a segment of your work.
What a fantastic experience! And you are truly fortunate to have so many critique buddies.
ReplyDeleteI want a Bill! How very sweet for both of you. I'm glad you wrote that down.
ReplyDeleteAnd you've inspired me. I'm going to be better about sharing my work. If you've noticed, I rarely even post work on my blog much less hand friends my writing. I need to be braver! Thank you!
I share my drafts with writing buddies. I feel it impossible to grow without feedback, and usually I only ask for what they don't like about my work....makes the next draft so much easier.
ReplyDeleteWhich is not to say I hate it when someone likes my work :)
I can understand the emotion you've described, and wish some of my work would inspire my readers to react like that!
Oh well done you! And thank you Bill!! Well of course he liked your work - of course!! Yay!!
ReplyDelete:-)
I have exactly two friends I give my writing too - they don't mince words and are as honest with their critiques as they can ever be. I am so grateful to them. But I also find feedback from complete strangers who do not know me very very helpful too!
Take care
x
The first person I always share with is Deb (my other half)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience!
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at sharing beyond my crit buddies. So far only those 2 have seen my stuff. I'm going to get braver though! Thanks for the inspiration :)
It's hard letting someone critique your work isn't it? It's like showing them a little piece of your soul and then saying "do you like it?" Good for you ~ you are brave friend!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
That is so cool, but I suspect sharing gets easier!
ReplyDeleteI'm blessed with several wonderful critique partners, including that amazing Sharon who usually reads my books in one sitting! :) What a fantastic friend!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a reaction!! I guess that's the kind of reaction all writers want from their readers!
ReplyDeleteI don't write (well, apart from my blog) I draw and, I don't know if it's the same for you when someone is reading your work, when someone is looking at a painting I have done I always feel (oh this is going to sound so daft!) as if they are having a nosey around in my underware drawer. Do you know what I mean? It's so personal...I'm going to stop typing now before you think I'm a complete looney!!
C x
I have one really good critique partner. I had a few that didn't work out for various reasons. I'm waiting to get some critiques back from someone and see how that goes. But I'm looking for a few more. I feel better about critique partners than beta readers b/c I can give something back.
ReplyDeleteScary and awesome, the sharing is (I'm in a Yoda mood today). But go you for doing it!! (Eep! I love being on the sidebar!!)
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon .. what magic .. and how wonderful that he had such great thoughts and that emotional tie .. so pleased for you ..
ReplyDeleteHappy writing days .. Hilary
Wow. That is a quite a critique!
ReplyDeleteI have other writers read it + pretty much anyone who asks. Good for you for being brave! It IS scary.
ReplyDeletehi miss sharon! im glad you had a real nice time with those friends and im glad he liked your book. for me my brother s.j. is my first reader and he helps me make my stuff lots better. hes pretty smart. some of my other brothers read my stuff and my sister sometimes too but the best one for doing it is s.j. now i get to be a reader for you and im soooo excited.
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
Aww, nothing says a 'good story' than to have the reader tear up! :)
ReplyDeleteI have two critique groups to which I belong, but I also have two other writing buddies with whom I share my work (and I read/critique theirs in return). And both of them are new to me as critics, though I've known them both a little bit longer.
What a great guy!!! Honest feedback is always the best, even while nervous. It's important to know what you should work on, what needs assistance and if someone likes it.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is the first person to read my book, then my three wonderful crit partners, a few beta readers when I feel it's good and ready and then my target audience (13 yr. old cousin) to get a feel for what she thinks. I've only made it to the crit partners but that's my plan and I'll set it in place when satisfied!
Feedback like that is priceless! You were so brave to put yourself out there like that, too.
ReplyDeleteI have critique friends, but I rarely let anyone outside that group read until I'm done done. Or published. :) I maybe need to be more bold.
When I am ready I have about 15 good people to read my work, I’m just not ready to share it just yet... hopefully one day I will be.
ReplyDeleteThx for your support.
My wife is always reader #1. She's followed by my mother-in-law. I belong to two on-line critique groups and they're next. I also have a couple what I call beta readers who we share work between each other. Everybody (except my wife and mother-in-law) I've found via my blog! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon. Would that I had "work" for people to read. I just enjoy other people, like yours. I'm a better business writer (dry and boring) than a creative writer. But I have to tell you that I learn from people like you, so don't ever stop. You're an inspiration. Keri
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