Writing for the approbation of other authors

[EmilyMiller]

I saw a comment elsewhere that some writers (me included) put greater weight on feedback from other authors than general readers. Contrawise some other writers say they care more about what their readers think than other writers.

I wondered about your motivations. For me, I’m much happier if a writer I respect pays me a compliment, than if it is a non-writer, or a writer whose work I am unfamiliar with does the same.

Does that mean I’m writing for other writers? How about you?

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't think there's anything wrong with that, if it's the approach you take. I don't. I care more about my readers than about what other authors think. I DO appreciate getting a positive comment from a fellow author, but I care more about my relationship with my readers and making them happy, even though I don't actually know them at all.

 

[NuclearFairy]

Well, when someone I know likes what I've written it makes me happy in a different way than when a random person likes my work. I'm not sure it's greater or lesser though... Just different.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I don't think there's anything wrong with that, if it's the approach you take. I don't. I care more about my readers than about what other authors think. I DO appreciate getting a positive comment from a fellow author, but I care more about my relationship with my readers and making them happy, even though I don't actually know them at all.

I think, that it’s because I’m in this “improve my writing” phase and inevitably the views of talented writers are going to hold more weight with me.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Well, when someone I know likes what I've written it makes me happy in a different way than when a random person likes my work. I'm not sure it's greater or lesser though... Just different.

I agree with that

 

[big_cane_sugar]

I'm not aware of thinking about the difference between writers and readers, but I do think about the different kinds of readers. Actually I'm a brazen snob about this, at least when it comes to the stories I put real work into. I'm happy if any average reader appreciates my stories but the readers I really care about are the ones who are conscious of themes, symbolism, allusions, and so on.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I'm not aware of thinking about the difference between writers and readers, but I do think about the different kinds of readers. Actually I'm a brazen snob about this, at least when it comes to the stories I put real work into. I'm happy if any average reader appreciates my stories but the readers I really care about are the ones who are conscious of themes, symbolism, allusions, and so on.

I like symbolism, they make such a loud sound when you bang them together.

 

[MrPixel]

I like symbolism, they make such a loud sound when you bang them together.

You are soooo bad, Em!

 

[SmilingLez]

When it comes to my prose/poetry, anytime my words have touched someone so deeply (either positive or negative) that they *must* comment, I am gobsmacked. Now regarding my only vignette, I am very grateful to all of the experienced writers who have offered advice and suggestions to improve my story telling.

 

[EmilyMiller]

You are soooo bad, Em!

It’s just the way I’m drawn…

 

[Bamagan]

With the caveat that I receive very little feedback and am satisfied with that state of affairs, I probably put a somewhat higher weight on any compositional analysis a known author makes, especially if I'm a fan of their work. If their remarks are about the content, kinks, or what-have-you, I don't value it any differently than similar remarks from strange handles or anonymous users. (Which is to say, it has little to no impact on my decisions or desires for my future stories.)

 

[XerXesXu]

The true test of character is how one reacts when the feedback is constructive rather than complimentary. Accepting compliments is near meaningless.

 

[SimonDoom]

I think, that it’s because I’m in this “improve my writing” phase and inevitably the views of talented writers are going to hold more weight with me.

I think if you ever leave your "improve your writing" phase you should stop being a writer, or an artist of any kind.

I DO pay attention to feedback, from all sources, including fellow authors.

There are lots of authors here whose works I've enjoyed, but I feel like we're all following different muses, and nobody else is following mine. Like Bamagan, I appreciate someone who has something to say about the technical quality of my writing, as long as it's constructive, but most feedback isn't really like that.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

Emily, I'm writing for the sole reason of being banned and boycotted by the moralists and the regime of my country, and yes there is ONE politician in particular who happens to be a VERY HYPOCRITICAL poet, and is the responsible for me and hundreds of thousands of others getting hunted down like animals last year just because our names popped up into a thing that nobody wants to do. That is the complete opposite of approval.

 

[PapaRomantic]

The true test of character is how one reacts when the feedback is constructive rather than complimentary. Accepting compliments is near meaningless.

Wow, your life must be horrible if you don't enjoy hearing compliments from others.

 

[WCSGarland]

I'm just not sure how to take it when the commenters tell me my story ended too abruptly.

 

[Actingup]

Of course there's a thrill when an author you admire takes the time to read your work and comment (whether positive or constructive). But I'm also conscious that many of our readers are authors or aspiring authors in other fields, and they often come through with comments that are equally as good (or constructive). Our audience is a literate mob - the others are all over at Pornhub watching videos about implausible stepfamily relationships.