(no subject)

[shapinglight]

Okay, said I was going to spam, and since this subject is horribly embarrassing for me, I might as well get it off my chest rightaway.

Ahem! I am a feedback whore.



Not that it's True Confessions Week on LJ, or anything, but since I was brought up to think that trying to attract attention to yourself was un-British or unfeminine, or un-something, admitting this is a lot harder than the subject (which is very trivial, I know) actually warrants.

I thought at first I would try and pretend to be all scientific and impersonal and put up some kind of poll so you could all join me in admitting you were also feedback whores, or else take the moral high ground and say getting feedback was a matter of indifference to you. However, implicating you all in my horrible character flaw didn't seem very fair, so I didn't do it.

Anyway, I am one. I wish I wasn't. I wish I was like peasant_ who not only doesn't like getting feedback, but actively discourages it by making it as hard as possible for people to give her any and glaring at them a lot when they do, but I'm not. Getting told people have enjoyed something I've written is one of the best feelings in the world for me. Likewise, not getting any feedback, or not much feedback, for something I've written makes me grumpy, and I have to own up to it.

:sigh: Oh well. Never claimed to be perfect. Should I have done the poll after all, or have I embarrassed myself enough already? Or, indeed, are you asking yourself, what on earth is wrong with wanting/liking to receive feedback? It's a British/women's/old person's problem. Get over it.

Comments

[shapinglight]

and then remember Every.Single. Negative. Word. published by critics.

:( I had a feeling it would be the horrid comments that would stick.

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah " Basically money for old rope, albeit very well crafted old rope" is one that still rankles :) *Growls in direction of SFX Magazine*

[shapinglight]

Oh, what do they know?

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

In all seriousness if you publish then criticism comes with the package and it's just something you have to deal with. And of course "Constructive criticism" is not part of the deal. Mind you if you can deal with the stuff you get at editing stage you can deal with anything :)


Again, my favourite, and I quote " Ah C'mon Deb, this section is shit! It doesn't work at all (long section detailing exactly why it didn't work ).If you're not going to take this seriously then why effin' bother! Scrap it and start again."

He was right BTW :)

[shapinglight]

Heh! I'd gathered this criticism stuff was tough. I fear I'm too much of a delicate little flower to cope with it. Think I'll stick to LJ.

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

You should give it a go, seriously. Yes you get to deal with rejection letters and fairly fierce editing but you do develop a thicker skin and you do get better at your craft. And honestly? There's no feeling in the world to compare with getting a box of shiny new books from your publisher with your name (or pen name) on the cover.

Just don't do it for the money... cos there's precious little of that.

And this conversation is inspiring me to MAKE time to write again. All I've written for the past few years has been course materials and training packages. Those pay much better but I really should find time to throw my hat into the ring again.

[shapinglight]

Oh yes! You should - and if I ever manage to think of an idea for an original story so will I.

I think most of us are under no illusions that we're going to become the next JK Rowling. She was a bit of a one-off (though certainly not particularly original).

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

I don't think many people are naive enough to expect fame and fortune. But the sad fact of life is that there are very, very few people who can make even a halfway decent living wage from it.

However it's still a goal well worth pursuing.