Rambling Thoughts -Trusting Readers

Rambling Thoughts on Trusting Our Readers

I've been thinking lately of trust. All of us presumably join a writer's group to mingle with other writers and share our thoughts on our work. We want to read and be read. We want to share our excitement when a piece is picked up and published, no matter how small or insignificant the publisher may be. We want to be told when something isn't working in our latest piece and we want to trust our readers to tell us the truth.

Do we trust our readers to tell us the truth as well as they can? Do we trust them when they say, "Your work is good," but not when they say, "Your work needs work." Or vice-versa.

I once gave a perfect rate and a ribbon to a piece I thought deserved it. To my mind, it was very good, finished and I would buy it. The author didn't trust my opinon, and so took away the joy I felt. My ego was hurt. I think I understand, I'm trying to anyway. He didn't respond so I have to guess. I came up with two possible reasons.

He felt I was only giving a fluff review. Maybe he has received so many of these that he didn't trust any reader who told him he was a good writer.

He has received some very harsh comments with no explanations or encouragement to sooth his self-esteem.

Many writers, who are convinced their work stinks, choose to trust only the negative comments.

Some, who are convinced their work is always perfect, can't trust a reader who says otherwise.

A writer's self-confidence partially depends on being able to trust the readers of his group to read his work and tell him what they think--truthfully, gently and with much encouragement. But, to depend on or blame readers for the state of our own confidence is placing an impossible responsibility on them.


Thanks so much for reading.


by, daycare
The fear of having too many people read a very bad piece was hindering my chances of ever writing a good one