You have touched on an important subject., revealing your work. I too have experienced the damage that can be done when someone, who thinks entirely differently from you is given access to your work. They try to overlay their own perspective on your work. As well meaning as that may be, it can be destructive. To conform your writing to their tastes is turning over your soul to another. The outcome may be acceptable to some, but it is no longer you.
I Would be cautious to reveal your work unnecessarily.
This is a hard lesson, one I hope is learned early on and not repeated.
Thanks again, Meta, for bringing the things of importance to the conversation.
Great points all. In some classes, I will point out to students that there is a time to bring their very best stuff to be workshopped. Usually, you want to encourage people to bring the stuff they need help with, but sometimes what needs help is the emotional muscle. And that's when I think it's ok to share something after giving explicit instructions that you need people to confirm for you that this is great stuff. Sometimes you need the workshop's help in creating a positive-feedback loop so you can (mixed metaphor alert) surf that good feeling for the next writing that you do.
I suggest understanding what to expect from those with whom you share--inspiration, copy editing, structural recommendations or merely an attagirl (most valuable when you are struggling!).
Though I’ve had the gift of being published several times it wasn’t until I was published on Apartment Therapy where I had strangers commenting on my work! I responded to each and every comment, but there were a few where I had to take a deep breath first. Writing about my family was always my first choice in college and I got criticized a lot — luckily I had you Meta to pat me on the back and help me continue down my path! Yesterday, my big deal interview was published on The Rumpus and man the amount of comments I got from family and friends made me smile big - especially because they were writing focused not me focused. I mean to say, no one commented on me being a good person, but that my writing was, well, well-written or that I asked good questions. I think sometimes as writers we tend to take things personally and/or the feedback we get can be personal when it should be constructive. Thank you, Meta!
Meta,
You have touched on an important subject., revealing your work. I too have experienced the damage that can be done when someone, who thinks entirely differently from you is given access to your work. They try to overlay their own perspective on your work. As well meaning as that may be, it can be destructive. To conform your writing to their tastes is turning over your soul to another. The outcome may be acceptable to some, but it is no longer you.
I Would be cautious to reveal your work unnecessarily.
This is a hard lesson, one I hope is learned early on and not repeated.
Thanks again, Meta, for bringing the things of importance to the conversation.
Great points all. In some classes, I will point out to students that there is a time to bring their very best stuff to be workshopped. Usually, you want to encourage people to bring the stuff they need help with, but sometimes what needs help is the emotional muscle. And that's when I think it's ok to share something after giving explicit instructions that you need people to confirm for you that this is great stuff. Sometimes you need the workshop's help in creating a positive-feedback loop so you can (mixed metaphor alert) surf that good feeling for the next writing that you do.
I suggest understanding what to expect from those with whom you share--inspiration, copy editing, structural recommendations or merely an attagirl (most valuable when you are struggling!).
Though I’ve had the gift of being published several times it wasn’t until I was published on Apartment Therapy where I had strangers commenting on my work! I responded to each and every comment, but there were a few where I had to take a deep breath first. Writing about my family was always my first choice in college and I got criticized a lot — luckily I had you Meta to pat me on the back and help me continue down my path! Yesterday, my big deal interview was published on The Rumpus and man the amount of comments I got from family and friends made me smile big - especially because they were writing focused not me focused. I mean to say, no one commented on me being a good person, but that my writing was, well, well-written or that I asked good questions. I think sometimes as writers we tend to take things personally and/or the feedback we get can be personal when it should be constructive. Thank you, Meta!