Show No Writing Before Its Time

Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer. —Barbara Kingsolver

Writers have many ways of sabotaging themselves. One of the most insidious ones, in my opinion, is showing their work too early. I advise writers not to seek feedback from a writers group, or even a professional editor, when they’re in the process of generating a first draft.  I lose a lot of potential business this way, but here’s why I believe this so strongly.

When you’re generating new work, ideas are trying to happen and you’re discovering what your book is about.

Stephen King uses the metaphor of the “boys in the basement” to explain how a writer’s subconscious mind works. The “boys” are at work creating characters, conflicts, and scenes, when you’re out and about running errands, when you’re fixing a sandwich, when you’re working your day job, when you’re washing the dishes, and even when you’re asleep. When you sit down to write in an attentive manner, King says, the boys will send their messages up to you. The act of writing opens you up to receive the messages. Be patient. Listen. You’ll hear them.  And when you hear them, you are hearing your own creative voice.

When your writing is still young and you seek comments on it from others, their voices can drown out yours.

You’ll be especially tempted to ask for help when you feel discouraged and frustrated. Know that all writers, even the professionals, reach points when they can’t see a way forward, hate everything they’ve written so far, and want to trash what they’ve done and start something new. Trust in the writing process, be patient with yourself, and push yourself forward. Don’t turn away from your writing just because you’re feeling uncomfortable. If you ask others for help at the point self-doubt has crept in, the beautiful piece of writing that could  have been uniquely yours might never happen—because you haven’t given your particular vision the opportunity to emerge.

Novices are particularly susceptible to being swayed and confused by the voices of others.

Fellow writers, and even some professionals, may have good intentions, but some tend to want to remake your work over in their own image. Some of the saddest sentences I’ve ever heard begin with: “My writers group told me to…” Although you may think you’re above it, you’re only human if it’s hard to shake off comments about what you “should” do and perceived criticisms about your writing when it’s still a tender seedling, not completely formed. You can always get feedback later when the work has gelled and you are more clear what it’s all about.

Although you may believe you’re looking for advice in the generative stage, I’m going to suggest that what you’re really looking for is  encouragement.

During the early stages of creation, it’s understandable that you might feel wobbly, but fight the urge to seek approval in the guise of seeking feedback. If you absolutely must seek professional help, then engage a “writing coach” who is trained to work with writers during the generative process, someone who can elicit your ideas and motivate you to move forward—without imposing or suggesting her own ideas and blocking yours. Or use your writing group, but be upfront that you want no undue influence. Don’t allow your work to be evaluated as if it is more finished than it is. Be honest about the embryonic stage your work is in and your need for encouragement and a boost to move forward. Sometimes having the opportunity to read your work out loud in front of a group will be enough to re-energize you.

Before you seek feedback, tune in to your own voice. Through the process of creating your first draft, you’ll figure out what you want to say, and it will be your own unique offering.