I have written several things (short stories, poetry, children's stories) and though I've always had a goal to get my writings published, I'm too scared to show them to anyone. I don't really know why...I guess I'm scared of being turned down. I'm finishing one right now that I'm going to show to a friend of mine who is going to proofread it (he proofreads for a living) because I'm going to put it into book form and give it to my mom for a Christmas present this year. I'm so nervous about showing anything I write to anyone. My boyfriend has asked me if he could read things I'm writing, and I'd love to show him, but I'm too scared to...I can't really explain my feelings. I even fear showing what I write to people I don't know. Does anyone else have this problem?
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Scared?
- Thread starter G4M5Y5
- Start date
Clem is Me
Well-Known Member
I can't say I have ever been scared to show someone what I have written, but I will say that before I first played my bass before an audience I was terrified. High school, "jazz" band (read: band that plays behind the glee club, not actual jazz) and I was in a white suit with slippery dress shoes on a polished wood floor. I hated suits, sippery shoes, playing bad adult contemporary songs that you could hook a chior up to. Not to mention all my friends, enemies and disinterested girls would be watching us up there. The whole school. Hoo. Ray. I had always fantasized about playing in front of the school, but in my dreams it was to the tunes I liked, not Mannilow and John Denver!
I will tell you how I handled it. It may not work for you, but it did for me.
I figured two things:
1) Everybody already knew I was a doofus. So what if now I was going to be a glee club doofus? Like there are degrees of doofishness? Nah. They all thoughti was lame anyway, so why not just enjoy the ride?
2) I didn't see them up there learning their chops in front of the whole student body. At least I was doing something.
From that moment on I have never really had a problem with people criticizing me or my "art". Any artist with a soul will tell you that it takes something special to create, to imagine and dream and realise. ANd if it takes something special to do it at all, it takes some kind of guts to then give it to other people. Because that is you, on those pages (or that CD) and it might just kill you if someone finds fault in it. And they will. But rarely can they offer anything like it in turn. And you both know it. Your art can improve with time. Their criticisms stay pretty much the same forever. And in the end your art might just bring someone joy. What will their criticisms ever bring anyone?
Lastly, art is only complete when someone else experiences it with their own mind. You will never get the whole package until you lay it out there. It's not vain, and it's not ego. In fact, vanity and ego is what keeps us from sharing our work. No one can scoff at what they never see, so it can stay perfect forever... To share the work is the breath of creativity. You inhale the world, you exhale the work. And that keeps your soul alive.
Now get out there and let people see your stuff. Your face is turning blue.
I will tell you how I handled it. It may not work for you, but it did for me.
I figured two things:
1) Everybody already knew I was a doofus. So what if now I was going to be a glee club doofus? Like there are degrees of doofishness? Nah. They all thoughti was lame anyway, so why not just enjoy the ride?
2) I didn't see them up there learning their chops in front of the whole student body. At least I was doing something.
From that moment on I have never really had a problem with people criticizing me or my "art". Any artist with a soul will tell you that it takes something special to create, to imagine and dream and realise. ANd if it takes something special to do it at all, it takes some kind of guts to then give it to other people. Because that is you, on those pages (or that CD) and it might just kill you if someone finds fault in it. And they will. But rarely can they offer anything like it in turn. And you both know it. Your art can improve with time. Their criticisms stay pretty much the same forever. And in the end your art might just bring someone joy. What will their criticisms ever bring anyone?
Lastly, art is only complete when someone else experiences it with their own mind. You will never get the whole package until you lay it out there. It's not vain, and it's not ego. In fact, vanity and ego is what keeps us from sharing our work. No one can scoff at what they never see, so it can stay perfect forever... To share the work is the breath of creativity. You inhale the world, you exhale the work. And that keeps your soul alive.
Now get out there and let people see your stuff. Your face is turning blue.
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thanks...wow...I think I needed that little pep talk there. Hopefully it'll help...it's like 1 a.m. here right now...so well it's not like I'm going to show it to anyone this minute...but soon I will...and I plan on reading what you said atleast one more time before I do.
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W
Wakeup2god
Guest
I used to write stuff as a kid but stopped in my late teens cos I didn't think anyone would be interested. I started writing again about five years ago and found that people are both blessed and encouraged by what I write.
Usually the giants we face are of our own making and once we confront them knowing who we are in Jesus (new creations, not given a spirit of fear and timidity) they dissapear. I'm sure people will respond positively to your writing.
Why not post something on here in an atmosphere of love!
Usually the giants we face are of our own making and once we confront them knowing who we are in Jesus (new creations, not given a spirit of fear and timidity) they dissapear. I'm sure people will respond positively to your writing.
Why not post something on here in an atmosphere of love!
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GodFlute2
I will be even MORE undignified for the Lord
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Yeah, I'm kind of shy about showing of my works for the same reason, but I'm "growing" out of it I suppose you could say. Something I try to remember is that even if they don't like what I wrote, it's my story and I like it the way it is. And if you don't like the way it is, change it.
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Lyle
I am last minute stuff
I know what you mean and do understand how you feel. Do not be afraid of your writings. As a general rule, they speak for themsleves. If they are good, you will be encouraged and continue in them. If they are not, then there is room for improvement.
I'm going through college in studies of English, Literature, and Writing right now. There are few bad writers, mostly un taught ones. But I am a firm believer that if you have a heart and love for writing, you can improve to a scholarly level.
If you want, you can send something to me and I'll go through it (perferably not too long, I'm stretched on time right now) and perhaps give some pointers, insights, and encouragements
I'm going through college in studies of English, Literature, and Writing right now. There are few bad writers, mostly un taught ones. But I am a firm believer that if you have a heart and love for writing, you can improve to a scholarly level.
If you want, you can send something to me and I'll go through it (perferably not too long, I'm stretched on time right now) and perhaps give some pointers, insights, and encouragements
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Gikkita, you know you're in a perfect place to help you with a situation like this, right? If you have a journal here, then all you have to do is post your writing in there. Nobody can post in your thread except you, and the only way anyone can comment on something you wrote is to PM you personally. You'll be able to show your work to possibly 1000s of people, but because of the anonynmity of the web, you really don't have to worry about anyone saying anything bad about what you write. And, in the meantime, you might actually get a few fans, or find someone who will encourage you to write more, or maybe even find someone who can help you get your writings published.
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thanks all for replying. Do you guys ever worry about putting your writing online, based on people basically stealing your work. I know that probably sounds childish, or untrustworthy, but I'm just asking.
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Wakeup2god
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Personally I don't worry about such things. I believe that most things I write come from the Lord through me to encourage and edify the church. I believe if I'm obediant to Him I'll get my reward one way or another.
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ConstanceB
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past
Hi, there!Here's a little story that may put things into perspective. I can't remember the author or era, but the words are clear:
A well-known author had gotten a very poor review from a literary critic. In response, he wrote to the reviewer:
"I am reading your review in the smallest room of my house.
Soon it will all be behind me."
cb
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