Here’s a question for all you writers out there. Does anyone get to read the rough draft of your book, in part or in full? Or do you keep it strictly to yourself?
I like to share and gather feedback but is it downright odd to seek opinions on something that hasn’t even begun to take shape? I can’t imagine it happening with other creative arts. Would a composer share a few cack-handed chords with anyone? Would a choreographer say, ‘Watch this and tell me what you think. It’s a bit clippety-cloppety at the moment but, trust me, it’ll be great.’ Or a painter offer up some half-formed curves on a canvas and ask for thoughts? I doubt it. So why do I do it?
Maybe writing a book is closest to being a sculptor. It’s a malleable process, like working with a wobbly piece of clay. Feedback, especially in the very early stages, helps me shape it. But if I am to share my writing in its raw form then it can only be with people I implicitly trust. For me, it’s my husband and my writing group. I enjoy bouncing ideas off them and they are the type of people who enjoy being part of that experience. They are also encouraging and constructive with their feedback.
The danger, however, is in valuing their input too much. It’s easy to get overly excited about the ideas being offered up and want to explore them all. Before I know it, I’ve drifted off course and need to bring myself sharply back to my original premise.
The huge upside is that I can gauge initial reactions to my story. I get a real feel for when they lean into the story, what engages them and what falls flat. Maybe it’s a confidence thing: I need to do some sounding out before I go much further. I also like to think that it is good sense. It sets me off on the right track. I’ve had some major rethinks as a result of early readings. Better to flow with the feedback from the outset and save a lot of heartache in later revisions.