tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post5023302108091114746..comments2024-03-20T08:27:29.290+11:00Comments on .W.I.P. It: Benefits and Drawbacks of Seeking Public OpinionLynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-71338915485086036622011-07-23T00:41:16.541+10:002011-07-23T00:41:16.541+10:00I think it's definitely an area where there ar...I think it's definitely an area where there are chances for huge improvement, but you do need to watch what you do. In terms of putting stuff online, one thing I'd say you should definitely have online is your pitch. I once read that you should always have pitches for your work on your website, and in the end, mine played a part in my agent's decision, so good advice!Amie Kaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15116472165351759477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-53022908438866855782011-07-22T09:00:29.785+10:002011-07-22T09:00:29.785+10:00Sam, I started doing it that way but I found frein...Sam, I started doing it that way but I found freinds and family weren't as honest as other writers.<br /><br />Angela, very scary indeed.<br /><br />Suze, hahaha. I guess titles aren't that important. Often publishers will want to change the titles anyway.<br /><br />Emily, yep, I try to avoid the harsh criticism.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-63397142887859306632011-07-22T06:32:25.000+10:002011-07-22T06:32:25.000+10:00I would definitely be worried about theft, and rea...I would definitely be worried about theft, and really harsh criticism.:(Emily Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15173337813628626227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-1703395720429677342011-07-22T00:52:55.950+10:002011-07-22T00:52:55.950+10:00Lynda, regarding titles-- I can see that. Thought ...Lynda, regarding titles-- I can see that. Thought about it long and hard before I put them up on Analog Breakfast but decided to go with it, anyway. Kind of stirring the universe by putting them out there. :)Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-35287812608705842522011-07-22T00:06:52.696+10:002011-07-22T00:06:52.696+10:00All good points, especially the one about criticis...All good points, especially the one about criticism. Which is why sharing your work on a blog can be scary.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399082789777816445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-51087504834739512392011-07-21T22:01:41.565+10:002011-07-21T22:01:41.565+10:00I'd say that pretty much covers it! I'm re...I'd say that pretty much covers it! I'm really shy about my work so for now I'm sticking with crit partners that share my last name :DSamantha Sottohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14116257082088369600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-61556807110242631682011-07-21T10:43:51.102+10:002011-07-21T10:43:51.102+10:00Stephen, yep, I've come across that a few time...Stephen, yep, I've come across that a few times while reading faith blogs.<br /><br />Shallee, same. The idea is to get to know someone online and then trial a critique partnership via private emails. A lot safer that way. Especially if both parties agree on confidentiality.<br /><br />Mark, absolutely. I think that's why it's important to get more than one crit partner--to balance the comments.<br /><br />Carol, I'll tell you if your work sucks, you know that. It's a shame it doesn't ;)<br /><br />D U Okonkwo, thanks for the link.<br /><br />Stacy, theft is easier in online groups therefore in theory it would happen more. The problem is, you have no control over it. Saying something is copyrighted is no deterrent.<br /><br />Misha, yep, same.<br /><br />M Pax, I've never tried face-to-face critiquing. I imagine it would be more helpful, though.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-76780092092086957202011-07-21T10:32:53.519+10:002011-07-21T10:32:53.519+10:00Old Kitty, absolutely
Sarah, fantastic example. I...Old Kitty, absolutely<br /><br />Sarah, fantastic example. It's amazing how easily our work can be found if we aren't careful. <br /><br />Alyssia, well said: "Embrace the people who love you." Love it. That's so important too.<br /><br />Maeve, yep, it's good to be careful.<br /><br />Theresa, yep, that conflicting advice can damage more than help. <br /><br />Dezzy, It's a worry. That's why I try to leave my posts open to discussion. I want people to feel comfortable enough to speak up if they disagree with me over anything I might have posted.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-90950233639461273822011-07-21T08:28:05.763+10:002011-07-21T08:28:05.763+10:00Learning is the best reason.
Although I find face...Learning is the best reason.<br /><br />Although I find face-to-face critique very helpful, too. Yet we exchange work on email ahead of time.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-90670086146505754652011-07-21T05:07:00.338+10:002011-07-21T05:07:00.338+10:00Yep, when you went into the control over copyright...Yep, when you went into the control over copyright, you pretty much nailed why I don't put anything significant from my WiP on my blogs or anywhere public. <br /><br />I did pick CP's from the internet, but all discussions happen in private. And that's how it will stay.Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-75046778837799534202011-07-21T02:41:01.343+10:002011-07-21T02:41:01.343+10:00Does one consider theft more common from online gr...Does one consider theft more common from online groups? I've never considered that from in person critique groups. It also never crossed my mind about the first rights issue with "publishing" on line. Now, I know.Stacy S. Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09646270238659432058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-7479528068539454512011-07-21T02:39:21.514+10:002011-07-21T02:39:21.514+10:00Hmm, I'm a supporter of both online crits and ...Hmm, I'm a supporter of both online crits and face-to-face crits with friends. There's no doubt that copyright and plagiarism is an issue, but I think you just need to be careful on which sites you post on. Youwriteon.com is a great site and I've posted there. It's run by a group of publishers and I've always found the comments there helpful.D. U. Okonkwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12900694425526387930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-7799004513211961312011-07-21T02:31:06.757+10:002011-07-21T02:31:06.757+10:00I actually think private is better BUT sometimes y...I actually think private is better BUT sometimes you can get more honest feedback than a critique from your friends. And yes, I'd never post more than a few pages on a public forum. Queries are relatively safer to post and get feedback from.Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-12939171395308394382011-07-21T02:16:29.894+10:002011-07-21T02:16:29.894+10:00It all depends on who the feedback is from, i.e. s...It all depends on who the feedback is from, i.e. some people are your intended audience and some aren't. People would critique Shakespeare and Milton just the same if they were alive today. A writer has to decide what critiques apply and which don't. That's my two cents:)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-2267797740367419272011-07-21T00:06:37.851+10:002011-07-21T00:06:37.851+10:00Great list of benefits and drawbacks. I've bee...Great list of benefits and drawbacks. I've been hesitant to post much to forums due to some of these exact reasons. It can definitely be helpful, but right now, I'm not sure it's for me. Thanks for sharing!Shalleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09907680428735740943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-90514205878290425742011-07-20T23:34:05.424+10:002011-07-20T23:34:05.424+10:00Overall, I'm looking for exposure. If its good...Overall, I'm looking for exposure. If its good exposure, that's great. In the past I've has physicists and religous people disagree with my content as I sometimes marry the two. Nothing wrong with that by my standards, although some people have passionate and differing views.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-28943543482028474812011-07-20T23:00:46.950+10:002011-07-20T23:00:46.950+10:00yes, anonymous people can be evil. And I've of...yes, anonymous people can be evil. And I've often came upon people leaving totally uneducated and inexpert advice or criticism around the writing blogs which sometimes shocks me indescribably.DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-64098248141593830612011-07-20T21:46:33.866+10:002011-07-20T21:46:33.866+10:00I've put my work online because of the two ben...I've put my work online because of the two benefits you've stated. But I've decided to stop doing so because of the first disadvantage you've stated. It's not just the people who are mean for the sake of being mean, but it's the conflicting advice. I'd rather use people I trust than have a tiny chance I'm going to land an agent through a contest.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-83803053590910891712011-07-20T21:36:02.161+10:002011-07-20T21:36:02.161+10:00Thanks for sharing yet another great post! I am c...Thanks for sharing yet another great post! I am careful about what I post online. It is difficult to have the public critique your work. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Like Alyssa, I embrace those that love my work and move on.Maeve Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-10415654040279431692011-07-20T20:52:17.015+10:002011-07-20T20:52:17.015+10:00Delicious post, Lynda. There are, indeed, advantag...Delicious post, Lynda. There are, indeed, advantages and disadvantages to posting a story or piece of work online. My experience with this is Harry Potter fanfiction. I've written one full story & have a current WIP on grangerenchanted.com (pseudonym: Akshaya). While MOST comments are wonderful, encouraging (advantage!) and downright stroking to your ego, some are a smidge off the "let's play nice" road (disadvantage). <br /><br />For one, if you write fanfiction, 9/10 your readers are a stickler for accuracy. You must be true to the books or tv show, etc. for which you write fanfic. This goes for anything, really. Know your audience. Know your genre! Because they will nail you for hiccups, trust me. Opinionated people are wonderful--sometimes. But when it comes to them critiquing and/or bashing your work (your art, your pride and joy, omg!), it can really strike a nerve within.<br /><br />So, the developing thick skin part? Definitely one of the most crucial elements if you deign to post your stuff online. Learn to ignore it, and move on. Embrace the people who love you. ;)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16514163880053470414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-41989528020110851302011-07-20T20:46:14.555+10:002011-07-20T20:46:14.555+10:00I'll add one more drawback, and it's the f...I'll add one more drawback, and it's the flipside of "getting noticed"--if an agent or editor can find you and your rough work online, it could detract from your shininess as an author. And don't think it can't happen. Under an online handle that has nothing to do with my name, I posted my query in a forum for critique. My now-agent found me by searching the title of the ms I queried her with, and then searched ALL posts using my online handle, so she got to look at everything I ever posted. It turned out fine, but once I signed with her, she told me to scoot over to that forum and delete any samples of my work in case editors tried to find me the same way (fortunately, all that was there was my query, but that's not the case for many folks). Just a thought.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636585111057799728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-18466416433935141962011-07-20T19:33:53.789+10:002011-07-20T19:33:53.789+10:00I think you've covered the pros and cons - it&...I think you've covered the pros and cons - it's always risky choosing to publish your work online - and it's always best to be vigilant when doing so!! Take care<br />xOld Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13185547869183611159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-39261147374564173122011-07-20T17:19:28.453+10:002011-07-20T17:19:28.453+10:00Bethany, yep, it all depends on what we put up.
S...Bethany, yep, it all depends on what we put up.<br /><br />Suze, I'm with you on that one. I don't even share titles lol. <br /><br />mshatch, good to hear you've picked up some good crit partners.<br /><br />Jess, no worries<br /><br />Jamie, It happened to me once with some artwork. I took part in a forum where you posted your work in progress. I had the basis of a cool dragon pic only to discover that someone who worked faster than me produced a finished product--same subject, exactly same composition, and background idea, and character. Siigh. I also found one of my landscape photos with my name cropped out on a russian website.<br /><br />Trisha, If you're comfortable with the risks, then there is nothing wrong with that.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-91780429730087535472011-07-20T17:11:35.237+10:002011-07-20T17:11:35.237+10:00Alex, yep, I'm in favour of privacy too.
Damy...Alex, yep, I'm in favour of privacy too.<br /><br />Damyanti, and of course those risks vary depending on how much you put online.<br /><br />Pam, well, I wouldn't include my blog posts as part of my publishing history ;)<br /><br />Bryce, out-of-the-blue agent bites are extremely rare.<br /><br />Jeff, :)<br /><br />LynNerd, That's why I'm somewhat vague about what I write except to say the genre and market.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-66290506867960699652011-07-20T16:05:14.313+10:002011-07-20T16:05:14.313+10:00Yep, I do post stuff on my blog that I don't i...Yep, I do post stuff on my blog that I don't intend to try and publish, even if I think it's good writing.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.com