New & a little scared

HollyG · Jan 23, 2012

Hello! Excited to join AW, but I have to say that some of the harsh critiques in SYW have got me a little nervous to post anything.

I'm all for constructive criticism, but some of those people are pretty brutal. Guess it's a good thing I have to get my 50 posts before I can submit my work...might take that long to work up the nerve!

I've got two novels under my belt, mainstream and women's fiction. Heavy into querying now. Wanted to be a writer since I could scribble words on a page. Life, 3 kids, and a full-time job have distracted me, but now I'm determined to give it my all & see what happens. What's the worst that can happen?

Tepelus · Jan 23, 2012

Hello, and welcome!

alleycat · Jan 23, 2012

Welcome.

BubbaB · Jan 23, 2012

Welcome cant wait to read your work I bet it will be good.

Mandiloo322 · Jan 23, 2012

Welcome! Don't be scared - criticism here isn't personal. Everyone just wants to help each other out.

Ari Meermans · Jan 23, 2012

Welcome to AW, Holly. What Mandiloo said. The purpose of SYW is to help you improve your writing. The coolest thing about this forum--and there are a lot of cool things--is that everyone wants everyone else to succeed.

Izz · Jan 23, 2012

to AW, Holly! You can always ask for gentle critiques if you're worried that peeps might be too harsh. But, like Mandaloo and Ari say, the majority of critiquers are critting to help, not to be harsh

zanzjan · Jan 23, 2012

HollyG said:
Hello! Excited to join AW, but I have to say that some of the harsh critiques in SYW have got me a little nervous to post anything. I'm all for constructive criticism, but some of those people are pretty brutal.

Welcome!

I'm fairly certain you can mention that you're new and ask that folks break you in gently

If not, well, there's plenty o' other spaces full of friendly people here to hang out with while you get your bearing back.

PorterStarrByrd · Jan 23, 2012

welcome aboard

regdog · Jan 24, 2012

Take some time and read the Newbie Guide and the Stickies found
at the top of Forum pages. They are your best guide to learning about
Absolute Write.

Don’t forget to read the FAQ regarding posting pictures at AW.

Members who want to start a thread in Share Your Work to have work critiqued need
50 posts. Don’t make a mad dash to reach your 50 posts. Take some time to greet fellow newbies,
critique other members’ works, or join a discussion.

Nickie · Jan 24, 2012

Hello there Holly, and welcome to the Cooler.

jclarkdawe · Jan 24, 2012

Harsh critiques in SYW? Even in QLH, we're warm, compassionate people, genuinely caring about our fellow writers, trying to build their self-esteem, making sure each and every writer is ready for the Publish America experience.

Not.

Take a look at Handling.... And SYW (other than QLH, which I see you critiquing in) definitely tries to work with a writer's level of confidence. QLH doesn't, and comes with its own set of warnings ( PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING (

1 2 3)) because in QLH, the next step is being ignored by agents. And in QLH, we don't want you to be ignored, nor do we want you to burn bridges.

Best of luck and welcome to AW,

Jim Clark-Dawe

Amadan · Jan 24, 2012

HollyG said:
Hello! Excited to join AW, but I have to say that some of the harsh critiques in SYW have got me a little nervous to post anything. I'm all for constructive criticism, but some of those people are pretty brutal. Guess it's a good thing I have to get my 50 posts before I can submit my work...might take that long to work up the nerve!

*sharpens knives for Holly.* :evil

Just kidding. I am one of those brutal critiquers, but most of us tone it down when the author asks for a gentler crit.

HollyG · Jan 24, 2012

Thanks guys for the warm welcome! And please, no knife sharpening.... :tongue

Nazurelle · Jan 24, 2012

Hey Holly, good to meet you, and here's wishing you luck on your author journey.

EMaree · Jan 24, 2012

Hello Holly! Welcome to the forum.

If you're worried about receiving harsh critique, you might want to avoid posting on SYW - everyone there is just trying to help, but it's sometimes difficult to see that when your beloved work is being criticised. If receiving a critique will discourage you, you might find it more useful to just read the existing posts and learn from the writing already posted.

But as long as you specify that you'd like gentle critique, most posters will be respectful. I find their wisdom very useful, they've helped me improve my own work a lot.

thehairymob · Jan 24, 2012

angleterre71 · Jan 24, 2012

Welcome! And good luck on the querying!

VP_Benni · Jan 25, 2012

Welcome Holly

~Amber~

Sea Witch · Jan 25, 2012

Welcome

Jason T. Barnabas · Jan 26, 2012

Holly

It seems that others have already commented on most of what I would have. However, let me add to their already ringing endorsements, we want to see you succeed as much as you want to see us succeed. Join the community with verve and panache. (Look CChampeau two more vocabulary words!)

Jehhillenberg · Jan 26, 2012

Hi HollyG (like that name

) and

!!

kenthepen · Jan 26, 2012

Hi, Holly,
I'm newborn here today! I just epublished my fantasy novel "Mjolnir Found, A New Mythology" on smashwords.com, and the first thread I read contained a post which said "any imbecile can self-publish!"
So, I'm a self-publishing imbecile. So what?
I write because I have to, and have been around enough blocks that I know some will like it and some won't. It's just nice to find a place where people actually read.

New & a little scared

And so...

Still around

[Shhhh....I'm writing.]

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

Doing the Space Operatic

killin' all teh werds

nutruring tomorrows criminals today

The Scavengers

Not too old to learn

Feeling lucky, Query?

Sometimes it hurts instead

a demon for tea

If I had a brain I'd still be dumb

likes a colorful font

Stirring the word cauldron

Bon Vivant Extraordinar

N/A