Jen here:
Any creative
endeavor requires taking chances. Anytime you put your heart into something and
show it to someone, you’re taking a chance that they might not like it, they
might reject it, and by extension, reject you. Overcoming that very natural
fear is a huge step in becoming an author. Like with many things, it’s best
done with baby steps. Here are a few of them, in order of increasing emotional
difficulty, that can help you get more comfortable with taking the chance of
showing your work to someone.
Show your work to someone you trust. Someone whose opinion you value and who
you know will be kind. They don’t have to be a writer or any kind of expert.
It’s really going through the process of opening yourself up to another person
and showing them your word baby and getting their response back.
Show your work to other writers. Getting feedback from other writers is
invaluable. They are in the same boat as you are and are one of the best ways
to grow your craft. However, keep in mind that not all feedback is equal. It’s
okay, and important, not to always accept everyone’s feedback.
Show your work to a paid editor. This is harder because this is an
opinion of someone who is in the business and should know good writing. If you
can step out and take a chance on an editor, you can get excellent feedback on
your work and improve your craft in a way you just can’t get from classes and
critique groups. Again, not all editors are equal, and it is still your story.
You have the final say.
Show your work to an agent or
acquisitions editor.
Generally, you have to attend a conference or send out queries for this to
happen. But this is a big deal. It feels like the biggest chance. However,
remember that a “no” from an industry professional is not a rejection of your
work or of you. Publishing is a business, and your product didn’t happen to fit
their need at this moment.
Show your work to readers. You may decide to skip traditional
publishing and go the indie route. Now your work is being shown directly to
readers. This is what you have been working toward. And they leave feedback in
the form of reviews. Remember not everyone is going to love your work. Not all
reviews are equal. Many writers don’t even read their reviews because it’s too
much of an emotional rollercoaster.
Taking chances
is scary, but like anything, you get better at it the more you do it. You may
never be completely comfortable showing your work to people, but it can get
less painful, and you can learn from it. Let others be blessed by your gift.
Take a chance and share your word baby.
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