Writers- how do you muster the courage to show other people your work?

Try uploading a short story to the internet and see if people like it, then go on that path and show more people.

Your writing is always going to be your “child”... but don’t forget that if you’re giving it up others who are going to buy it… you’re essentially giving up that child for adoption.

It’s natural to be so protective of your work, but you’ll have to work with other writers, family, friends etc to make the novel work (unless of course you only aim to have an audience of one)

As an amateur writer I can say it is frustrating. I’m working on a pilot for an animated series with two of my friends at the moment and there are things that I like that they don’t, so in the end the vision has to change.

As far as the fragmented writing thing I can relate… I have multiple files saved on my computer with minor changes in each one, stuff saved in email, on yahoo mail’s notepad, scribbled in drawers etc. The best advice I can give for that would be to schedule a time to sit down and organize all the information every week… even if you have no new ideas you can at least gather all the random ones from the week and put them in the appropriate place.

Oh, and have someone else work with you to make sure you are sticking to your schedule.

Fluther vigorously and share your thoughts and opinions as honestly as you can. After you’ve gotten through enough criticisms and episodes of being challenged, you will cease to be attached so much to others’ opinions of your work and ideas, and you’ll be better able to let lesser ideas sink.

The same process happened for me in a work setting.

Maybe a thick skin is just something that is meant to be forged.

I just whip them out because I like to bask in the glory. What I would do, though, is to join a writer’s workshop, of some kind, or a writer’s group, or find some friends who are literary minded. Surrounding yourself with creative people can do wonders.

Also, you can always do a blog. Nobody reads mine, but I put stuff up there anyway in case somebody finds it by accident.

I usually explain what the story is about, what the character is like, and then I just show people the writing. I usually do it over the internet, through a website or email, and that way the constructive criticism isn’t as bad as it would be in person(albeit, usually the comments are positive, but just in case it doesn’t hurt to be safe).

=]

@Peinrikudo: It is a truth acknowledged by good editors that the story will speak for itself. If you have to explain plot and character before a reader sees the story, you need to rewrite.

I’m in the same situation. Start out with anonymous online sites. You can get published, but no one knows who you are so there is no need to feel self-concious. They may not be fabulous, but they are a good place to start as far as getting comfortable with sharing your work.

Do you merely want to show people, or do you want critique? If you want to show them, there are plenty of sites I’m sure for just reading short stories—and if you just want to show people, you could even show them to people around you and just let them know that you don’t want to hear negatives.

If, though, you do want critique, then I’d try deviantART.com. Go on the chat rooms for literature after you upload them, and have them discuss your works and give you criticism.

At the end of the day, it’s your work, it’s your child, and art as much as creative writing is subjective—if you’re not planning on making a living off of it, then you can be a differential as you want.

@gailcalled. Hahaha, I meant I just give a brief summary of the plot basically. I didn’t mean for it to come out as in I explain the entire thing! lol

@Peinrikudo: The only thing you are allowed to do as a writer is to describe the genre; let the writing do the telling. NO PLOT SUMMARY.

Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Psychological New Yorker-style story
Love
Vengence
Horror
Comedy
Family angst
Etc.

If it were me (and when it is me), I would probably start with a friend whose judgment and tact I trust. It is always helpful to give people an idea of what kind of reaction you are looking for; do you want an overall reaction, a pick apart the grammar and style reaction, questions about what they don’t understand or just praise and hosannahs?

When you start getting some genrally positive reactions, you can begin to build your confidence and expose your baby to a wider audience. A writers’ group or club is another great idea. People in such groups often share their work and are usually sensitive to the needs of other writers – if it is not a group of ego-maniacs. A writing class is often a good place to meet other writers with whom to form a group. There might be writing classes or even an existing group at your local community college. Good luck with it!

@gailcalled. I guess you’re right, albeit I really don’t see the harm in saying what the novel is about, after all, almost all novels have a general summary on the back cover.

@Pein: True. The blurb is generally written buy a really good writer, also, and is a little piece of art in itself.

I have always found that the best way to improve my writing was to read, read, read the great prosodists.

They say (whoever ‘they’ are) that sharing your work is liking dropping your pants on a street corner. Publishing your work is like dropping your pants on a street corner, say, Times Square, at noon on a Saturday. =)

I just show mine to friends that like my creative bent. I tell them what the story is about, and if they like the concept, I let them read it. I used to post things on a blog, but I no longer have the inspiration to blog anymore.

When friends ask me to look at their writing, I usually say “I’d rather be your friend than your critic.” I am a very tough critic. They say they want you to be honest, but they don’t. But someone who is just going to be kind is of no use to you.

With my own writing, my best critic is my husband. Beyond that audience of one, I’d prefer to face a group of benign strangers rather than impose on a friend. A writing class or writers’ club is a good idea. I got a lot of great practice attending small “open mike” readings sponsored by the local writer’s club. I could hear what other unpublished amateurs were doing while I worked up the nerve to read my own precious gems aloud in front of ten or twelve people. I could learn something from every one of them, and knowing that I was better than some of them was an inestimable encouragement to me.

Before that, starting decades ago, I gave away large amounts of writing to various small club newsletters, which always want contributions and aren’t too fussy. It’s great practice, and you can get some surprisingly good feedback. School or PTA newsletter, hobby club, charitable organization, alumni news, whatever group you belong to that publishes a newsletter—write something for them. If you can find a writer’s club, send them your creative pieces. Once you’ve gotten used to doing a little of this, it does come more easily. You didn’t die, and somebody might have even told you that they liked what you did.

Also you can try something like the 24-hour short story contest, which is inexpensive, fun, challenging, and a great tool for learning discipline—working fast, staying within a word limit, and letting go—even if the prompts are supremely inane. After a little exposure of this sort, some other things won’t feel quite so raw.

If you don’t have any desire to put your work before an audience, you don’t have to. Some people write only for themselves, and that’s fine. In that case, no nerve is needed. If you do want an audience, really, try an anonymous or unfamiliar one before you go baring your soul to someone you’re going to see in the company cafeteria or across the table at Thanksgiving dinner.