dragonimp

When proofreading his own copy, the author sees only what he meant to write, but not what he actually wrote.

That quote was referring to technical writing, but it applies to fiction as well, and it's why I've always had a tear it to shreds policy when it comes to feedback. I know I'm too close to a work to see all its problems or to see all the ways it might be taken. I see the scene I had in my head before I wrote. I need people who see the scene I actually wrote to tell me things like did you really mean to say that here? or why is that character doing this? or I think you're missing some details here, it's really vague, etc.

Maybe it's from being raised by an editor, maybe it's from passing stories around with my friends from the time I was in high school, but I actually enjoy getting redlines. Or maybe it's because I'm a perfectionist and I know I can't get there if my eyes are the only ones on the words. It's fun to see how another person reacts to my work. Even if I don't agree with the comment, it's still fun. And it's something I miss when I don't get it.

(And I know critiquing is hard work and we read fanfic for fun, but if something jumps out at you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make a comment about it. Really. Tell me.)

I am back to writing, finally. Slowly, but at least it's going again. Part of the problem was both fics are at a turing point and trying to iron them out while dealing with the job stress was a bit too much. But I'm back at it now, so this has been on my mind.