.png)
In life and writing
Not all people fear walking down the street by themselves. Women often do, though.
We are afraid of the dangers that potentially surround us. Men don’t have this fear as much. They think nothing of walking across a dark parking lot. We, however, must be ever vigilant when we are out in the world alone.
We look for others to walk with us. Usually, it’s someone we trust, but when we don’t have that option, someone we’ve seen a few times will do. If no one we are familiar with is around, a fellow woman will serve well in a pinch.
In other words, there’s safety in numbers.
It’s the same with your writing.
You’re scared to go it alone. I get it.
I’m scared of sharing the inner workings of my mind and my emotions with strangers.
I know you are too. It’s frightening to pour everything you are into your novel and send it into the world for others to read.
We place limits on ourselves when we hold back from doing the things that scare us. To get past your fear, you can shift your boundaries. Start by sharing your work with people you trust.
Friends and family
Those you know best, are good choices.
They can give you basic feedback, pointing out story issues and some grammar and spelling mistakes.
And that’s great. Their feedback is great for you to make your story better, and their feedback can help you get used to some criticism.
Eventually, you will need to ask someone familiar to walk with you, so you will need to expand that close circle more.
Shifting your boundary slightly will help you get crucial feedback on your draft.
Familiar strangers
Beta readers.
Beta readers are a great choice for sharing your work with one person or two instead of a group.
You can send your first draft to a beta reader (at this stage, they are actually considered alpha readers).
You can edit your work yourself before you send it to them. Giving them a second draft could be more beneficial, as you have already addressed certain issues you found in your novel. (Read my post on how to edit your novel.)
Editors
Editors are another great resource for getting feedback on your manuscript. Most editors offer manuscript critics or story feedback that is priceless for helping you shape a better story.
While I know it can be intimidating to share your novel with an editor, keep in mind they are professionals. They read new, emerging, and established authors’ work all the time.
We don’t compare your work to others they’ve read. We see the potential and give you advice on how to improve your story to hit readers’ expectations.
Our goal isn’t to pick apart your book. Our goal is the same as yours—to make your book the best it can be.
And we advise you based on years of experience and a lot of training.
In my opinion, beta readers and editors are better choices as they are expert close readers and will pick up on more than friends, family, and other authors who are busy writing their own books. Due to their busy lives, these others may only skim your novel instead of reading for depth and genre conventions.
When you send your work to a beta reader or an editor, you only share your novel with one person. It’s a great way to shift your boundary out without the massive fear of public criticism and you will get higher quality feedback.
Editors will help you through suggestions and brainstorming discussions as well. Once an editor sends you their feedback, they aren’t done. They can guide you through the revision process.
Beta readers do not help you understand how to revise your novel.
Strangers
Critique groups.
Join a critique group.
I know it’s common advice, but bear with me.
While you may know an author or two in the critique group you chose to join, you will still be opening yourself/your book to the opinions of strangers.
But most authors who join critique groups are newer authors, so their writing needs help too. You are all on the journey together. They will be asking for your opinions as well, so you can get used to seeing someone else’s work objectively, which will help you when you go to revise your story.
Join a group that has few members, maybe 4 or 5. Too many people’s advice could overwhelm you, and set you back rather than push you forward, and trying to keep up with reviewing and advising on more than four people’s manuscripts or chapters will be a huge time commitment.
Your fellow writers will have valuable feedback for you to incorporate. However, you don’t have to take all their advice. You can reject it if it doesn’t fit your vision.
You are in charge of your novel.
Don’t walk into the parking lot alone. Take someone with you. It’s safer and you just might deepen a bond or gain a new friend on your journey.
Push your boundaries just a bit to build your confidence. You will feel safer and be better prepared for the world.
Happy Writing and Revising!
Kristin
Fiction Ghostwriter and Editor
Related Articles:
Comments