I'm feeling a bit distressed about this

I guess I assumed by 'early feedback' you meant the beginning of the story. But yeah. I can see where getting feedback on whether any scene works, or whether your word choice is having the effect you wanted, can be useful.

For me, it's the fact that I hate somebody 'looking over my shoulder' at something I'm working on. I hate it. (Whether I'm cooking, or drawing, or working on some other project ...not just writing.) Getting feedback on something that isn't finished feels like somebody looking over my shoulder. It's just one of my weird quirks, I guess.

I can certainly see where early feedback could be useful, as long as folks don't get too stuck polishing and polishing, and never move on. Or become overly influenced by what other people think the story should be about, etc. I guess, like anything else, it's finding a working balance that matters.

 

ChickenFreak makes a good point: there are as many writing styles as there are writers. If feedback early in the writing process helps you, then, by all means, do it. Just don't get so bogged down in feedback that you never finish. Getting that first book finished is really important for confidence and perspective. I know OP didn't state that this was their first book, and if it's not, sorry for being presumptuous.

 

One way to assure that the reader will want to continue reading is by introducing puzzling:

1. Behaviors
2. Situations
3. Phenomena
and not explaining them.

A wondering reader will want answers, so he reads on. The second chapter might partially explain or might deepen the mystery leaving the reader once more wanting to know what is really going on. So the reader reads the third chapter. See the point?

 

Thanks for the advice everyone!