Rambling Thoughts on Trusting Our Readers
I've been thinking lately of trust. All of us presumably join a
writer's group such as http://www.Writing.Com/ to mingle with
other writers and share thoughts on our work. We want to read
and be read. We want to share our excitement when a piece is
picked up and published, no matter how small the publisher may
be. We want to be told when something isn't working in our
latest piece and we want to trust our readers to tell us the
truth.
Do we trust our readers to tell us the truth as well as they
can? Do we trust them when they say, "Your work is good," but
not when they say, "Your work needs work." Or vice-versa.
I once gave a perfect rate and a ribbon to a piece I thought
deserved it. To my mind, it was very good, finished and I would
buy it. The author didn't trust my opinion and so took away the
joy I felt. My ego was hurt, but I think I understand,
I'm trying to anyway. He didn't respond so I have to guess. I
came up with two possible reasons.
1. He felt I was giving a fluff review. Maybe he has
received so many of these that he didn't trust any reader who
told him he was a good writer.
2. He has received some very harsh comments with no
explanations or encouragement to sooth his self-esteem. And he
believes them.
Many writers, who are convinced their work stinks, choose to
trust only the negative comments. Some, who are convinced their
work is always perfect, choose to not trust a reader who says
otherwise.
A writer's self-confidence partially depends on being able to
trust the readers of his group to tell him what they think -
truthfully, gently and with encouragement. But, to depend on or
blame readers for the state of our own confidence is placing an
impossible burden on them.
Find a writers group who you can trust to tell you the truth.
They should be able to do it constructively so it doesn't hurt
too much. Search the web or better yet, come and look over
Http://www.Writing.Com It's a community of writers who know how
it feels to be on the receiving end of the deadly red pen, and
they try very hard to soften the blows. They really do. You can
trust them to be honest and gentle.
Above all, enjoy your journey and have fun learning. Always
Write On!