Hello all, My name is John, I've been writing since I was 13 and storytelling long before then. I have built up a large collection of written material but lacked the confidence to share it. A lot of my lack of confidence came from my inability to take criticism at the time, but now I actually seek constructive criticism and feedback. Also, my confidence is improving enough to seek out fellow writers.
Welcome, John. Yes, learning to take criticism is certainly a hurdle one must get over if you expect to finish the race. Not just getting past the naturally defensive reaction we all feel at the slighting of our baby, but also learning how to use the criticism. That's a different hurdle. Best wishes, Wrey
Thanks, I look forward to strengthening my writing skills and help others as well. Edit: I also just realized my phone auto corrected my title. It's supposed to be Wordsmiths.
Damn, I thought it was going to get fun in here. Remember that critisim/critique is given by different people at different places on their journey. You may get some that makes no sense to you, but a year from now may make perfect sense and help at that time.
I know what you mean, the current book I'm finishing up. The original version I wrote back in '99 is horrible, but back then I thought it was the greatest thing ever. My own mom told me it sounded like a emo teenage girl wrote it. And I'm a male around 19 at the time. When I went back to revise it around '13, I could get through it and had to strip it to the outline.
Hi John! I'm new here too, and have made it my mission to always share my favorite thing ever said about handling criticism at the slightest provocation, like so: http://the-toast.net/2014/06/12/respond-criticism/