I like to write, but I'm horribly self conscious.

[Kraklen]

Is this the sort of place I can post stuff and get constructive criticism without worrying about embarrassing myself?

[Inland]

1. embarrassing.

And no.

[Kraklen]

2. Good to knough.

[LaurenG]

3. Just do it

Your probably gifted. Go for it.:)

[HockeyMom]

4. Speak you mind

and just let the chips fall where they may. You are entitled to your opinion.

[fortress]

5. OH DEAR LORD ! ! !

You are SOOO lame ! ! !hahhahaha
jeez!! Get a Life !!!



(thats about what you would get from the freeps, so... welcome to posting online.)

if you are tough enough, you will get by. If you are really sensitive, then... maybe post at your local pc/mac forum first to get a thicker skin...

then again, If you want to post poetry... its best to do it where your 'peers' can better evaluate it and guide you into your own place of self-expression.

this is a politically-fueled machine, and if you are not one of the sorts who has the convictions, or knowledge of what he wants to espouse, then read, read, read... and learn to post critical, but constructive posts FIRST. THEN you can babble about the benefits of the Teletubbies and what have you...


(man I need to lay off the Scotch...)

[sybylla]

6. I've seen a lot of very constructive critiques in the writing forum

If you're worried, create a second DU username and post all your writing under that name. Then post fearlessly. Your fellow writers have been there and they know the importance of constructive criticism. Trust me, real writers know that offering up your work for criticism is no easier than standing naked in the town square. Real writers will be gentle.

While your thread floats down the latest page, you may snag a few non-writers who aren't as considerate, but just ignore them. Look for the serious critiques and the most helpful suggestions. And check back for a week or two. The writing forum moves rather slowly so many of us writers don't visit daily but we'll get to it eventually.

If you prefer, look for someone in the writing forum who has some experience in your area and ask them if you can pm a sample for their examination. Perhaps it would be easier to start out with a one on one kind of critique before you venture into the group approach.

And you can include me on that list if you want. I write historical fiction but I have an English major and a writing minor. I could probably give you general guidance on anything but poetry.

Whatever you do, don't shy away from feedback. Knowing ourselves, our skills and our problem areas is what makes us better writers. It's difficult to take criticism sometimes because we become so attached to our creations. But the only way we can do our work justice is to learn the most we can about our craft. You may notice I don't post any of my work here, but I've finally found a small and talented writing group and I get all the feedback I need from them.

Be brave. It's for a good cause.

[oneighty]

7. Didn't

you say you had PHD and two masters and you are self conscious?

Sorry if I have you confused with another poster.

Very few people post stories here. They talk about it but they do not put their stories out for review.

Perhaps it is fear of ridicule or some other mysterious reason.

If you have a fear of failure you likely will do that; fail.

And there is also a poetry forum which could use some input.

Damn the critics full speed ahead.

180

[Kraklen]

8. In the sciences.

An english professor I ain't.

[oneighty]

9. Tell us more?

I worked in physiology for a number of scientists at a great university.

180

[Kraklen]

10. About my academic work?

I've published two papers, one as a grad student, the bulk of which I didn't write. The other I published as a postdoc, the most of which I did write. There's my thesis, and a few seminars and posters.

All of which is technical writing, and leagues away from writing prose. I know I'm competent in one, which isn't saying a lot. The other I'm unsure of.

[oneighty]

11. What sciences?

180

[Kraklen]

12. Pharmaceutical sciences.

[Orrex]

13. Is that a euphemism? 8^)

[Kraklen]

14. Um. Yes.

I'm really a geologist.

:shrug:

[Orrex]

15. Is *that* a euphemism?

[Kraklen]

16. Yes.

I work at Corndog-On-A-Stik.

[Orrex]

17. Ah-ha! At last we're getting somewhere

Now go ahead and post your writing!

[oneighty]

18. Good field

You will work in research?

180

[Kraklen]

19. I am working in research.

But if you mean as a lifelong career, yup. I'm sick of academia.

[petgoat]

20. You Say You Like To Write, and You Prove It By Writing Your Posts

So put something out there. I'd suggest put out the first ten lines.

You got to get the first ten lines right before you can expect anyone to
read beyond that. IMHO

[kjejan]

21. why not?

But, I'm very new. So don't trust me.

But, having been in several workshops, I do know that you have to be able to take a little bit of what might seem like harsh criticism if you're going to put your stuff out there (unless all you're looking for is, "It's GREAT! I LOVE it!", in which case you should let people know up front...and, if you do that, they'll probably write back, "It's great. I love it.").

Usually, people who write are sort of careful about their critiques, but they're also extremely blunt - because it's necessary if you really want constructive words.

It will be a little daunting at first, but it's amazing what you can learn through a workshop environment (even, I imagine, if it's on an internet writer's forum).

I hope you post!

- newbie

[petgoat]

22. Hear, hear kjejan.

Compare it to stand-up comedy. You get out on stage, you tell jokes,
nobody laughs, they throw stuff at you.

You go home and slit your wrists. Or you ponder it a few weeks, imagine
why was your material weak, how can you do better, and resolve to go
back and show the bastards.

The toughest ones grow from it and become comics. What doesn't kill you
makes you stronger.

[Wetzelbill]

23. yeah it is

Jump in. Most writers are self-conscious. I know what you mean. I've hardened myself to showing my work to others. I had to do it, so I just started doing it. I get nervous as all hell when some of my work is getting workshopped in a class or something, but the best way to get better is to have others look at your stuff. I forced myself to just throw caution to the wind. Don't worry about embarassing yourself, just do your thing. You're an intelligent person, you'll be fine.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Self concsiious yep that is a writer

just do it, we will be gentle.

[petgoat]

25. Is it your subject matter or the act of expression that inhibits you?

Some people think they can only write about things they have lived or
directly observed. It's easier to write about people who don't exist.
You can find a story in a book about a 14th century French poet and
set it in a Chinook Indian village of 200 B.C.