An exciting and terrifying thing happened, I won a critique of my work. Which is amazing because I hadn’t even
Which is amazing because I hadn’t even realised I’d been entered into the competition until I got an email saying I’d won and because I’m genuinely interested in hearing what the person doing the critique has to say.
However, I am also unbelievably terrified because I am going to have to hand over my work to someone and I’ve never had to do that before. It’s only three chapters worth but still, this feels like a very big step.
I know that I should see it as a good thing but there is also this plaguing self-doubt that keeps creeping up on me. It doesn’t help that I haven’t finished writing the chapters that I want to send, it’s a slow work in progress and I have been far too distracted lately.
Which means I’ll be sending this along after very little overall editing which also makes me nervous. I keep feeling that I should be able to put all those negative thoughts behind me and just get on with it, what’s the worst that could happen?
She could rip my work to shreds and tell me that I’m flogging a dead horse, it’s not like I’ve not said that to myself plenty times over and even if it does go terribly it’s not as if anyone else has to know. I can find out when I’m alone so that if I feel the need to burst into tears no one will then ask me what’s wrong which always makes the tears come quicker and heavier.
It’s still scary though. Handing your work over to someone who has already published work is daunting, but when you’ve read their work it definitely feels even scarier.
I’ll have to pull myself together and just do it, but does anyone have any advice?
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Written as part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
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everywhere-and-nowhere.com 
Congratulations on winning! That is so exciting. I think everybody is always quite critical of their own work but by giving it to somebody else to read they made look at it from a different perspective and love it! I hope it works out for you😊
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Thank you so much, I hope it works out as well but you’re right hopefully a different perspective will help 🙂
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The best way to be is to just do it indeed. Any constructive critique is a way to learn and grow, so nothing wrong with that/
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Very true, doesn’t help the nerves but you’re right 🙂
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Writer Growing pains. Take a deep breath and know its not about bad or good but HOW to make it BETTER and it’s one more badge on the road to publication. I get it thought. Congratulations, that is awesome. ‘ Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
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Thank you very much, I think I need to remind myself of that from time to time, it’s the best way to think about it 🙂
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It’s going to be kind of scary at first. No doubt you’ll hear about some mistakes in your work that you weren’t aware of before. But if this critiquer knows what he or she is doing, you’ll also learn about the stuff you’re doing right, the stuff that makes your writing special, the stuff you can build upon to get even better.
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Yeah I think I need to try and think more positively about and remember what I’m gaining 🙂
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How exciting! I have started using a critque website, and its kinda nerve racking, but then its exciting when you receive your feedback, I am sure it won’t be too bad. Do we get to know who it is?
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Maybe once I’ve actually done it, I have no idea when I’m going to get it finished. Maybe I should try something like that put the nerves at ease a little 🙂
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Congrats! Most quality critiquers mix the supportive with the suggestions for improvement.
If they’re a good match for your writing, you’ll get to do things like, “THAT’s what I meant, what a better way to say it.” and “Oh, I didn’t realize that would be confusing, I can clarify that with 2 adjectives.” With a touch of “I used the word ‘just’ HOW many times?”
Best of luck, and work on another project instead of agonizing while you wait.
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Thank you, hopefully it all goes well 🙂
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Congrats on winning the prize. You’re going to learn so much from this critique: what in your story is working and what isn’t, if you’re starting in the right place, if your main character is engaging or not, and everything will help you to write a better story now and the lessons will stay with you for your future projects. But remember: if your gut tells you that something doesn’t have to change, don’t change it – you know your story best 🙂
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