Sharing Your Writing with Others? Tips for Conquering Your Fears

Few things are scarier than sharing your writing for the first time.

If you’re an aspiring writer, you’re probably nodding your head right now – yup, terrifying. But few things are more important for your growth as an author. Not to mention that sharing your work can be inspiring, and even fun! Below, we’ll explore how and where to share your work for the first time. That way, you can take the big leap while knowing you’ll land softly.

Why sharing your writing is important

‘Nah, my work isn’t good enough yet. Once I finish a draft that will blow everyone away…then I’ll share.’ Does this sound familiar?

Don’t worry, it’s a natural impulse. Writing is an intimate process, so you want to keep yourself from getting hurt. You figure that, if you just keep going until things are perfect, nobody will find anything to criticize. Problem solved!

The thing is, this ’emotional’ mindset will eventually stunt your growth as a writer. If you never share anything, you’ll never explore the fascinating territory of feedback. Also known as: ‘How does this come across?’.

Is that one action scene really as captivating as you thought? Or did you unintentionally write slapstick? You’d probably want to find out, right? And you’d definitely want to find out how to rewrite the scene, so that it works the way you want it to work. Good news: constructive feedback will help with all of that.

When to share your writing

Write the first draft with the door closed, and the second with the door open.

Stephen King – On Writing

Generally, it’s a good idea to write a complete draft or outline ‘for your eyes only,’ before you share your writing. That’s because the first thing you need to do is get intimate with your story (or poem, or article, etc.) and figure out how and why it’s important to you. After that, the second step is finding out how and why your work is important to others.

It doesn’t really matter when you transfer from step one to step two (even if Stephen King says so). What matters is that you can stay in charge of your work, in the face of potentially critical feedback. Do you need a completed first draft for that, or just an outline? Answering that question before you proceed is a good idea.

How to share your writing

Or actually, the question is: who to share your writing with?

Writing groups (online or offline), informal ‘walk-in’ workshops, and calls for writing buddies can get you in touch with fellow writers. This is often the best starting point for learning your craft. It allows you to share your writing in a safe space, among like-minded people, who tend to give good, encouraging feedback. Not to mention they can provide invaluable creative input and a built-in support system. (Or, depending on the circumstances, a well-needed kick in the butt.)

Another option is to share your work with a ‘test audience’ of some kind. Need in-depth feedback on a longer story? Ask some beta readers – experienced readers who can word their opinions well – to help you out. Want to gauge whether or not a story or poem ‘works’? Test it out at a local reading or through an online platform. Obviously, employing a ‘test audience’ is a much bigger (and scarier!) step, and works best with finished or nearly finished stories.

Look for writing groups and workshops or courses at arts centers, universities, and/or community colleges near you. Public readings and open mic nights are often announced in local newspapers. There are also a lot of writing communities – some that provide beta readers – online, many of which are active on social media.

If you’re nervous about sharing work with other writers whose background, skills, interests, and ability to give constructive feedback are all a mystery to you, not to worry. That’s what My Writing Coach is designed for: a one-on-one relationship with an experienced professional who not only knows a thing or two about the craft of writing, but how to deliver feedback and target specific skills with helpful exercises. Learn more

Dos and don’ts for sharing your writing

Do:

• Push your boundaries in order to grow.
• Research the platform or people you’re sharing with.
• Take notes (or record the conversation, etc).
• Only share if it feels safe. It’s okay to change your mind.
• Ask for the specific feedback you need.
• Make sure you feel positive about the piece you’re sharing.
• Take time to digest the feedback.

Don’t:

• Feel pressured into sharing your writing if you’re not ready.
• Share something you’re unhappy with.
• Respond to feedback right away.
• Feel obligated to incorporate criticism.
• Take anyone’s word as gospel. It’s your story to tell.

Hopefully this has prepared you to start sharing your writing with others with fewer butterflies in your stomach. If you do it at the right time and place for you, taking the big leap can be exhilarating!