Thursday, June 10, 2010

Looking for Feedback

I respect and rely on my fellow critiquers for their opinions. They are my biggest influence. I've only recently let other people read my work in progress, because it's scary to ask for feedback from friends and family. If they don't like it, I feel that it would reflect on me, they might say, "Oh God, why is she wasting her time on writing." I also needed many rewrites before I thought my work was ready for others outside the safe zone of the critique group.

Everyone that has read my first chapters have been polite and said they liked it. It's funny that I really have to push to get their input on the details. My husband and daughter have been most helpful and free with their opinions. I feel sorry for my husband though, because he doesn't like to read, let alone read a young adult romance. He is supportive, none the less. I value what my daughter says because she is part of the target market. Hopefully soon I can have some of her friends read it, and get their honest insight. I also look forward to the day I feel brave enough to show it to more of my friends who like reading this genre. I almost feel like creating a critique questionnaire for them to answer, but that might be asking too much. If I'm not careful, I won't have any friends left when my book is finished. I'd be like the Mary Kay lady selling cosmetics you really don't want. "Free gift with critique!"

2 comments:

  1. Ellen--that is so true: maybe those close to us will ask why we are wasting our time writing!! I feel the same way. By the way, can i get that nail polish in Pensacola Pink?

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  2. It is amazing to me that we have come to trust and value people who just 2 years ago were total strangers signing up for the same Peabody class!

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