Stressful Writing

Stressful Writing

Writing what you know is hard, isn’t it? Especially if it's up for reviews. Basing a story on an actual event that affected the writer emotionally is not always a good idea.

It definitely depends on the type of emotion it dregs up. If it’s joy, you’ll probably be okay with the reviews, because the story will be a happy one; but if it’s not - you’re going to take the reviews personally. Criticism will dig deeper than it does with fiction.

Very personal, cleansing type writing probably should be kept in a journal where editing feedback is not given. For your own good.

When you’ve poured out your heart in poetry or prose, you don’t want someone coming along to stomp on it. And it will feel like they’re stomping on your feelings, though they’re only reviewing a posted piece. The hurt is real and I believe this is the main reason some quit a writing group or stop writing.

Of course we want to be read. We want others to sympathize with us because we all need compassion and understanding. With many, writing is the only outlet they have to express their feelings. For their own sake, their self-preservation and to avoid the possibility of hurt feelings - I suggest keeping these in a blog or journal.

Explaining in the brief description that the write is non-fiction, personal and written during a stressful time isn't fair to the reader. They'll hesitate to give an honest review and could feel annoyed that you're asking for one. They may even feel you're inconsiderately taking advantage of them in order to gain their compassion.

We all have things we need to say, and we want to be read; let's just keep them safe by keeping them in our journals. There, we can read and comment to the writer, not the writing. Compassion can be expressed without the hindrance of grammar corrections.

Of course, once you've pulled all that emotion from your soul, give it some time - then look at it objectively. That's real emotion you see there, the stuff bestsellers are made of. Use it, take advantage of it. Don't let all the pain go to waste.