Sharing your work is scary. Share anyway…

I’m not ready. Is it good enough? What if they hate it?

Putting your work in front of other people can be scary. Even thinking about letting others read your book can make you want to run screaming or hide under the bed.

(Hopefully you don’t hold it tightly while murmuring my precious…)

Being nervous to step out of the shadows is normal. Your work can be a kind of window into your true mind, heart, and soul. Your dreams are on display when you take this step. And I admit sometimes my worlds, characters, and creatures are weird.

So how did I find the courage to take this step? By focusing on who I gave it to.

I gave my first book to just one person. My best friend. My rock. The love of my life. The person I trust most in this world to love me and encourage me even if my first book sucked.

Clicking the email ‘send’ button was liberating so I found two more people I trusted to send it to. But that’s not enough. Not nearly enough.

I started talking about this scary step I was taking. Just put it out there when friends and family asked me ‘what’s new?’ and if they expressed a willingness to read it and provide feedback, I sent it.

Then I thought of the people in my life that I admire – the ones with actual professional insights on writing and publishing – and I asked them to help me by reading it. I quickly moved from ‘nervous to let anyone read it’ to ‘please read this and help me’ requests.

Through all this feedback I became a better writer. I tore that first manuscript apart multiple times on and off for two years. I moved events and conversations around. I added new characters and new scenes to better develop my story throughout the book. I cut out unnecessary characters and side-plots that never went anywhere (oops – but hey, it helped me trim down the book to a marketable wordcount!)

So yes, sharing work is scary. But it’s worth it.

Some people didn’t say much and others surprised me with extensive detailed notes. I recommend nervous writers share first with people they know and trust. When you’re feeling braver, join a writing group. Over time these strangers will become your kindred spirits. These are your people. And they will challenge and encourage you beyond your hopes.

Just sit down and write already, but then let people read it.