Green Writer Egos and First Drafts

New writers shouldn’t use or be encouraged to use the services of a critiquer or proof reader before the ink dries on that first draft.

Asking for tough criticism and in-depth reviews too soon is the worst thing you can do for your writing confidence. Don’t stick your first draft out there and hope you can handle what comes back in the form of feedback.

Neither first drafts nor first-time writers are ready for intensive criticism. Would you expect your newborn to be able to run? Of course not. Neither is a novice writer prepared to survive a gauntlet of in-depths. First drafts are only the bones of a finished story, the writing of the idea, the first thoughts. First drafts are as fragile as the egos of the new writers who wrote them. There will be many changes before either is ready to publish.

Posting on an in-depth review forum should be thought out carefully. How many times have you read the work over and revised? Have you been honest with yourself about the quality? Have you read and reread to find the inconsistencies? Do the characters live? Does the story really make sense to you? Is it believable? Logical? If you can answer with a resounding “Yes!”, then it may be ready for a critical review. If not, post on forums that are easier on the ego. There are many that point out no more than two or three issues at a time, with clear explanations, and rate with encouragement. Don’t take the number of stars too literally and become puffed up with pride for receiving high rates, or despair that you can’t write if you receive low rates.

It’s important that you feed your confidence at all times, but especially in these early stages. If your confidence isn’t strong, in-depths will likely zap it and your story will die a quick death. No one wants that to happen.

In-depth reviewers don’t intend to kill your story, but they don’t know it’s background history. When work is posted and a critical, in-depth review is requested, they’ll believe the work is ready, and they’ll honor your request. I try to avoid the requests that state clearly the piece was written yesterday, because I know the writer is proud of it, but is too anxious to have it read. Those are the ones that should be posted on the numerous general review forums.

I strongly urge new writers/members to choose the general review route. This is not because their writing shows their inexperience; it may be quite good, but because they are likely new to feedback. It isn’t always ice cream and cookies. I speak only for myself when I say I want to see the piece has been around a while and has been read and modified.

By working with gentle, honest reviewers, you can work on and practice one weak area at a time. Whether it’s character, repetition, or consistency – practice until you’ve got it right. Then practice the next element. You’ll find that one day the piece is as good as you can get it and you’re ready for a final in-depth.

In-depths naturally cover and catch issues that are buried deep, and the result can still be overwhelming to the ego. By fixing most of the errors during early reviews, your ego won’t take such a huge sting, but it will still hurt. Your confidence has had time to grow and you’ll understand what the reviewer means, whether fully agreeing or not. After a month or two, you’ll have a good understanding of what your story needs and be able to decide for yourself what changes need to be made. No one knows the story as well as you do.