Does anyone else feel naked when they get their work reviewed?

[grnidone]

I have to say, I love to review, but when it comes to getting my work reviewed, I feel absolutely naked. Completely vulnerable in a way I can't really explain.

I'd almost rather dance/ strip around a pole. It's that hard for me.

[thegearheart]

I'm a professional designer, and I've worked with some really tough ad agencies. I guess that's what made me grow a thick skin. I try to always think of my writing as a work product- something that needs to be improved and sold, and my agency experience has given me a sense of detachment that has been invaluable.

So, to answer your question, I used to, but then I decided that I wanted to be a professional writer. The first step to becoming a pro, I believe, is getting over your writing jitters. However, I'm not a pro, so you can take or leave my comments. :)

[Cogito]

You just have to grin and bare it.

[crimsonrose]

You just have to grin and bare it.

XD Kudos, Cogito.

[thegearheart]

You just have to grin and bare it.

Oh, you.

[Palmer]

Oh, you.

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:Qdbxt_2t_WGxrM:http://s3.amazonaws.com/alpha.spongefish.com/4318/wide/no_u.jpg

:p Initially, people I don't know, not to mention those with an incredibly high post count or those who hold a "supporter" position, make me feel, bare when they write uber-long reviews or say something really concise that points out a blatant weakness in my work that would make me facepalm.

On the other hand, when I get bashes and troll-like reviews, especially from someone who obviously loathes me for a pointless reason or another (or just wants to make the Simon Cowell impression for personal ego) but claims that he's only doing it for critique sake, I sigh and think, "Give me a break. Your review reasoning is null and void. This is all opinion and there's no solid proof of anything that you're saying, but this isn't a matter of opinion. He doesn't know what he's saying; he's saying what he thinks but he's blatantly incorrect." or something to that effect. =/ Word.

[thegearheart]

http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:Qdbxt_2t_WGxrM:http://s3.amazonaws.com/alpha.spongefish.com/4318/wide/no_u.jpg

:p Initially, people I don't know, not to mention those with an incredibly high post count or those who hold a "supporter" position, make me feel, bare when they write uber-long reviews or say something really concise that points out a blatant weakness in my work that would make me facepalm.

On the other hand, when I get bashes and troll-like reviews, especially from someone who obviously loathes me for a pointless reason or another (or just wants to make the Simon Cowell impression for personal ego) but claims that he's only doing it for critique sake, I sigh and think, "Give me a break. Your review reasoning is null and void. This is all opinion and there's no solid proof of anything that you're saying, but this isn't a matter of opinion. He doesn't know what he's saying; he's saying what he thinks but he's blatantly incorrect." or something to that effect. =/ Word.

Why was I quoted at the top of your entry?!

[Palmer]

Well, "Oh, you" reminded me of the infamous meem, "NO U!". :P Nothing personal really. :) If you don't already know, to enlighten you, "NO U" means, "In actuality, what has been stated applies more directly to the former poster than to myself." Nice to meet you, thegearheart, I hope that we get along well. :)

[thegearheart]

Well, "Oh, you" reminded me of the infamous meem, "NO U!". :P Nothing personal really. :) If you don't already know, to enlighten you, "NO U" means, "In actuality, what has been stated applies more directly to the former poster than to myself." Nice to meet you, thegearheart, I hope that we get along well. :)

Hahaha! I totally thought you were talking about me! I was like, "What the heck did I do?!"

That was good for a laugh! I'm sure we'll get along great, Palmer.

[Palmer]

Yeah, I guess it was wasn't it? xD Sorry if I looked like I was flaming ya. I always do things for a reason, though it can sometimes be a tad bit ambiguous (I'm not in the jeopardy of getting a temp ban right? =/). :P

[OhCarl]

Hmm naked as in expressing your motions or what not onto paper?

[Obezyanka]

I don't mind getting reviews. I am humble when people say they like my stories or writing. If it's constructive criticism I look at the advice and take note and try to understand what they are saying or going with. Sometimes reviewers give some great pointers.
However I don't like trolls or "flamers" it's like why bother wasting energy to write something pointless about my work.

Reviews make me happy cause then I know someone really is reading my story instead of skimming it.

[pacmansays]

feel? Man, i get naked when my work's being reviewed :D ;)

[thegearheart]

feel? Man, i get naked when my work's being reviewed :D ;)

Heard that. Review time is naked Miller-Time™.

[Cogito]

Except the critic is the Miller, and your story is the raw grain. ;)

[Tall and Weird]

Look at it this way - if you raised a baby and sent it out into the world without any experience or nurturing at all the baby would have trouble out there.

You story is your baby and to give it the best chance of survival and success it needs to be exposed, in a safe environment, to the challenges that wait for it.

Here seems pretty safe to me. Those that review your work are doing their best to nuture your story in ways that you probably won't notice because of how close to it you feel. So don't feel naked and exposed, feel comfortable and secure instead - your story's in good hands.

[thegearheart]

I like it here. I feel quite safe with the reviews here.

[starseed]

I have to say, I love to review, but when it comes to getting my work reviewed, I feel absolutely naked. Completely vulnerable in a way I can't really explain.

I'd almost rather dance/ strip around a pole. It's that hard for me.

Hello! Im new here and this is my first post.

I totally agree. And actually, I HAVE danced naked and stripped around a pole before (hehe) and seriously, having my work reviewed is so much harder! :p

It's not even that I can't handle critiques. I appreciate them as I NEED them to improve my work. It's just.. letting people inside my head, to the deepest part of my heart and soul where my writing comes from is just sooo.. wow. It's hard!

But I also love it. It's scary, but I do it, and then if they love my work it's the best feeling. :)

[lynneandlynn]

When I first started out getting reviews, I didn't feel naked. I guess I felt vulnerable in a way because I basically refused to look at anything anyone said and was like, 'well I know better than you,' and just dismissed the critiques out of hand. Luckily, I grew out of that stage (I was about 13 at the time...). At that point in my life, I was so used to having English teachers and my other school teachers read my work and tell me how wonderful it was and how I could become a great writer...all of that, of course, went to my head at that time in my life. I mean, I was just barely a teenager.

I got over that when I hit high school and had my first creative writing class and realized that there were people out there my age who could write *better* than me. That's when I told myself to stop being so overconfident in my writing and try to learn more to improve it. I still got high marks in my class because my teachers still liked what I wrote...but I was willing to learn. And ever since, I've always asked for harsh critiques and hard reviews because the harder and harsher they are, the more I can improve my writing.

I'll admit that I've always been fairly confident in my writing because it was something my family and friends (and teachers) nurtured in me for years. I just try to never lose sight of the fact that writing is a form of self-expression, so that I never do what some people have done to me, and dismiss someone's writing out of hand. That's one of the worst feelings in the world--to have a piece of your work automatically dismissed, as if you have no ability to improve it...so I refuse to be like that. I work hard at making sure that I don't turn anyone away, even if I sometimes feel like it's hopeless. Because I know in the end, that it isn't.

~Lynn

[love2listen]

my book is being edited by my good friend who retired after teaching college English for 12 years. I do have some much older friends

uh, yeah I feel your pain. she can be so tough on me! and apparently I am not as grammar inclined as I have thought for, um, forever

[Maroon]

Bah!

Ignore flamers. Their opinions really don't count here. (Or, it's probably safe to say, anywhere else in life!)

Everyone else is just trying to help.

P.S:
It's good to feel a little vulnerable - it shows you care about your work - but there's no need to get too hung up on a few opinions. Critics will of course vary in how bluntly they offer their advice - if it gets too harsh, tell 'em to back down.

[Laverick]

I feel anxious when it comes to being reviewed, but I also have this gloomy weight of doubt that tends to tell me, "They're not going to understand it." I mean they actually say, "I'm confused."

If this isn't a problem, I will try to make a better version. I love a challenge, but if they don't come back it's disappointing.

I would rather stick to the reviewing. Sometimes it's a pain, because you have to read through someone's writing, even if you don't think it's good. I tend to read snippets and if I don't find it good I stop and tell them, in the most accurate fashion I can, why I couldn't stay focused on what they were writing. I try to give good reviews, but I'm blunt and I think people need to take reviews with a grain of salt. You know what is important in your writing and never say, "I know it's bad". I absolutely hate it when people do that.

[MastaScribe]

People are always going to say what they want, don't worry bout it. If you like it good, now you can always make it better and look for that.

[vyleside]

I only tend to feel a bit exposed if somebody is reading my work when I'm present. When that happens, I just feel squirmy.

[seta]

I like to have my work reviewed because I have to know what people think of it. My goal is to seek approval for my writing, so I'm hungry for critical feedback. Of course, my chief editor is my best friend, so it's easier to handle. She's not afraid to say "Yeah, this part doesn't make any sense, you need to tone that down." LOL

[Rumpole40k]

All the time, every time. I feel the same way when teaching a class (and I've been doing that for almost ten years now). I've just gotten used to it.

[Rod Patrick]

I understand that when people give reviews here they do it with the nameless, faceless anonimity of the internet. It's very discompasionate and most probably seize the oportunity to go at least a bit overboard.
I worry sometimes that the techno geeks will rip my stuff apart or those that have their own lives so enmeshed in fantasy that they feel that they actually interact with real vampires have a right to shred my writing based on that.
You can see the people that really read your work and see it for what it is and offer constructive critisism from their own blogs and their frequent posts on this group. They are the senior members and supporters. The others come and go. Keep writing and have a good time.
PS: Just once, close the shades and lock the doors and write something in the nude. That way, if you feel naked when you get reviewed...

[GoldenQuil]

Well, I haven't gotten anything reviewed really but I imagine I will be quite nervous when it does. Not for the fact that I think people will flame it, but I'll be nervous that other people don't find it too entertaining and whatnot, and thats actually why I write, to entertain myself and others. So, to a certain extent I can say yes.

[Gigi_GNR]

It depends on who I'm getting reviewed by. I have about one or two people I can hand work to and not cringe every second, but other than them I can't handle it. I never let people see until it's tweaked and finished to perfection.

[Forkfoot]

Not even a little bit. I write what I write, and people like it or don't. My particular style will never be for everyone. If I receive constructive criticism, I give thanks and consider it, and if I get positive feedback, sweet. Nothing else really matters.

[seta]

Here, here!

I have no misconceptions about being an amateur writer and as such I don't expect to be right all the time.

Already there has been the prologue thing - which the members of this forum offered guidance and more recently the "superfluous words" issue, which I am still ambivalent about, but it's good to know none-the-less.

[jwatson]

I do which is why I tend not to :p
I'll have to do it sometime, maybe when I'm don't my second draft I'll have someone one here read a bit of it hopefully...and give me their impression.

[tay_tracy35]

I totally agree, but it depends on who the reviewer is. I've had great constructive criticisms, and I've also had people deliberately attack my work. I wish it could be different.

[Lijde]

I'm afraid that they won't understand the writing.

Generally, I don't like describing my writing. It's awkward because it sounds TERRIFIC in my head, but then I can't explain it that well when it comes out, making the reader confused.

So I just hope they'll understand it right off the bat and only ask a few questions. :P

[Gigi_GNR]

I always get so anxious whenever anyone reads my stuff. If they think it's good, I'm happy, but I feel like they could have told me what was wrong with it, if there was anything.

[Ferb]

I totally agree, but it depends on who the reviewer is. I've had great constructive criticisms, and I've also had people deliberately attack my work.

If someone deliberately attacks my work and is being rude about it, I don't think I'd worry too much about it. The less respect I have for someone, the less I care what he or she thinks. Now if a similar criticism was voiced more diplomatically, I might be a bit more concerned. I'm generally aware of my weaknesses, though, so if someone points out what I'm doing wrong... it doesn't come as a blow because I've already anticipated it.

[bluebell80]

I don't feel that way anymore. I used to. Especially in college when I got papers back full of red ink. I'd go through the emotions of denial, anger, confusion, and then through acceptance, adaption, and change.

As much as I hated negative reviews, I always learned something that could be applied to my writing to improve it.

Now I look at my writing like clay to be molded, and remolded, many times over until it works. Reviews are good for pointing out our design flaws. I don't worry if I think the reader is going to get it or not, because they either are or they're not. If they do, then I did it right, if they don't then I need to figure out how to improve it to get my point across.

I like getting critiques, good or bad, because it always teaches me something.

[PS Foster]

I haven't posted anything on this site yet, but I will eventually. On another site, I post with trepidation, but that is because I have a longstanding fear of rejection. I have received good reviews and bad ones. The good ones point out the little things that could make it better, and more often than not, I can see their points clearly after they draw my attention to them.
The bad ones just tell you it's bad without explaining why.

[Glen Jones]

Since back in secondry school to now at uni when i hand the teacher my work i feel and awfull tug to ACTUALLY run. if i can't see them going over my work then i'm fine but when your sitting infront of somone and they are uming and arring it's like waiting to be told your worth somthing or worthless. each raise of eyebrow and each slight smak can make my heart jump or fall dead.

end result is always the same though, it usually helps me.
so i can't wait to get reviewed because i like that feeling of being armed and ready to defend your work until death (well not death, bit over the top haha).

odds are though it's going to feel scary but all good things are, thats life...i think.

[truthfulapothecary]

Since I have only had a few people critique my work, I can't say the part where I feel vulnerable is the actual critique part. I, personally think it is the time where they are reading and you are watching their expressions! It. Is. Nerve-Wracking!

[Fatherof5]

Heck yeah I feel naked when people reiew my work.

I know I'm not a really gifted writer. Doing this just for fun...but that also gives me a certain amount of creative freedom that I wouldn't have if I was worried about being published!

Chris

[Yarnillah]

When my work is reviewed, to be honest, I get offened at first. Simply because my work is my baby and someone has told me there's something wrong with it. So, I read my work over and over and read the critiques until I can see where the people are coming from and I'm not offended anymore. Lol. It's hard at first, putting your baby up naked in front of everyone. But I've found that each critique is like a piece of clothing over the top, and it makes it better in the long run :)

[Coldwriter]

My first post on here had my heart heaving...haha. Then the same thing happened when I saw the comments. It's a scary feeling but pretty cool too, knowing people are going to take some time to read and give feedback, opinion, etc on your work.

[bux]

My first post on here had my heart heaving...haha. Then the same thing happened when I saw the comments. It's a scary feeling but pretty cool too, knowing people are going to take some time to read and give feedback, opinion, etc on your work.

I know the feeling, I just had my first pieces reviewed yesterday after going days without anyone saying a thing. I thought I had embarressed myself by writing on here but I got some reviews and feel a lot more positive about my future in writing, as long as the guidance remains.

[Denied Fixation]

I honestly hadn't planned on posting anything on here, I was just missing the connection with a writing community... and any time I have previously posted on any site in the past (it's been a long time ago)... I never had a qualm about what was said. When I looked at the suggestions... most of the time, they were right, and would struggle to fix it. But it helped... really...

I got stuck on editing a recent chapter, posted it here... and was told to edit it down for a 10 year old, and that it couldn't be read past the first couple of paragraphs because it made no sense... I'm not sure how to reply to that. For the first time ever... I am nervous about having asked for others opinions. I've been freaking about it... because if they are right... then I have to scrap more than 90,000 words and start over because the writing style is the same throughout and even worse... it's the same voice I always write in... AHHHH!!!

SO yeah... right now I am not enjoying having my work reviewed. No... not at all. :(

[SteveDOOI]

The first review I saw for my first novel gave it a real pasting (happily, subsequent reviews were kinder). The weird thing was it didn't bother me in the slightest. I think that, if you write what really grabs you then you feel it's a good book even if someone else doesn't agree.

On the other hand, if you write something and you think it stinks, it doesn't matter how much other people say they like it. You still think of it as a failure.

[Lemex]

I do whenever I send away a manuscript.

[writewizard]

Not generally. I like others' thoughts on my work. My writing essays for English are always looked at by someone other than the teacher and peer review. And you know what? I like it! However, the first time I got reviewed really harshly on here, I didn't like it. But I accepted his (her?) critique and actually used some of the advice. It's all in how you take it... and how you view yourself as a writer.

[IgnisTemper]

I'd think it's a pretty common reaction. We're pretty invested in our writing, so it's only natural when we put our writing out there, we purposely expose ourselves.

[Lemex]

I'd think it's a pretty common reaction. We're pretty invested in our writing, so it's only natural when we put our writing out there, we purposely expose ourselves.

This is certainly a truth.

[aliceinwonderland]

When my work is reviewed, to be honest, I get offened at first. Simply because my work is my baby and someone has told me there's something wrong with it. So, I read my work over and over and read the critiques until I can see where the people are coming from and I'm not offended anymore. Lol. It's hard at first, putting your baby up naked in front of everyone. But I've found that each critique is like a piece of clothing over the top, and it makes it better in the long run :)

Completely agree! Same thing happens to me at first. That was a nice similie, with the clothing and all LOL

[FlashFlashCarCrash]

I don't generally like reviewing other people's work because I don't feel I'm qualified to give a constructive opinion about someone's writing, probably because I'm my own biggest critic so I don't think I have any right to critique someone else
On the other hand, I don't really like people reading my writing either because I'm afraid of negative critiques

[KingAJO]

i agree with you, when every i have work reviewed or i have to present to my tutors at uni about my ideas i feel completely exposed, but its something that needs to be done if i am going to learn and improve. But i go get what your saying

[Centurion]

I am usually nervous when putting up my work for display because of my spelling and grammar. No matter how many times I proof read everyone will always find heaps of obvious mistakes that I have missed. But as for my story itself, I have learned to just take to heart what people say and try and work on it.