Saturday, March 26, 2011

Questions for Writers #2

Do you tease a work in progress on your website or blog? Why or why not? If you do and someone criticizes it, do you scratch it completely?

It's something I've been thinking about doing, but I'm extra sensitive about the stuff I'm working on. If it's already published, there's not much I can do, and if it got to that stage then somebody out there liked it enough for me to go ahead with it. But, if I put something new out there and it gets shot down - then I might scratch the whole thing.

So, I'm curious - what do other authors do?

7 comments:

  1. I personally never tease a WIP. I think I'm a little too timid to put out my unpolished work. Plus I kind of just want it to be a surprise.

    However, I know many authors who do tease and love it. They like to get feedback and it helps them form their ideas. Plus it can spark interest and generate a following.

    That was probably not helpful at all. Sorry:)

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  2. It depends on how far along I am, I suppose. If it's the first draft, no; I keep that train wreck to myself. But if I'm cleaning it up, or nearly done, then I always appreciate feedback. I get trapped inside my own head sometimes with a story and it's helpful to have outside opinions.

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  3. I've never teased a WIP before either, but I can definitely see the benefits... Think I'll be a little too shy until I nail an agent and he/she confirms my idea isn't crap... ;)

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  4. I know a guy who put his book up on his web site one chapter at a time as he finished writing each one! I don't think I'm that brave. After all, I have been known to change my mind about the direction I'm taking. :-D

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  5. Talia - I just wanted to let you know I've given you an award on my blog.

    http://deborahandreasenbooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-award.html

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  6. I couldn't do it, I'm very insecure about my writing. It would be hard for me to decide whether a comment was helpful or not, or to be affected by it and give it up. Even blog posts makes me nervous, I always imagine it sucks and my writing will be judged by that. So, no, not for me.
    But if a person is strong and resilient enough, why not? Could work.

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