"I suck...but read this anyway...."
You know, as (frequently) unsure as I can be about whether something I wrote stunk on ice or not, I'd only share that feeling with ya'll here in my little Story Corner. If I'm posting at a community, out of the comfort zone of talking to my friends, than no matter what I wrote, it's a fucking stroke of brilliance. So what if I cried all night, ripping my garments and bemoaning the hideous ficbaby staring up at me from it's electronic cradle, as far as the rest of the world is concerned, it's beeeyoootiful! and they should kiss the baby.
I'm saying that to say this--please don't preface a story with "this probably sucks and it's no good and this is wrong and that is wrong" and blah and blah. Listen--most folks will not click on that. *I* won't click on that. I don't know you, why shouldn't I believe you--"sucks hunh? Thanks for looking out!" You see? And a person that might have read it will miss out on something that spoke to them. It might have been great, but we’ll never know. Believe me, I understand the impulse. No one wants to be raked over the coals, especially first time out. But people are mostly very kind. If you really feel the need, just let your audience know it’s your first time, and that you’re nervous. That’s it. Post that sucker and then quietly sit back and sweat blood like the rest of us do. Even the really amazing writers of unbelievable talent sweat some. Probably. I’m sure they do. Sometimes.
A lot of folk have commented on this kind of annoying and off-putting habit. I just thought I’d throw my two cents in. Remember, little first timer—NO one is going to eat you up, or come to your house and mock you. You were brave enough to share your vision and that’s very, very cool! If you feel even the slightest like adding a “please forgive my suckiness”—go immediately to the nearest kind hearted person who will pat you and hold your hand until the feeling passes. And then—post that story!
I'm saying that to say this--please don't preface a story with "this probably sucks and it's no good and this is wrong and that is wrong" and blah and blah. Listen--most folks will not click on that. *I* won't click on that. I don't know you, why shouldn't I believe you--"sucks hunh? Thanks for looking out!" You see? And a person that might have read it will miss out on something that spoke to them. It might have been great, but we’ll never know. Believe me, I understand the impulse. No one wants to be raked over the coals, especially first time out. But people are mostly very kind. If you really feel the need, just let your audience know it’s your first time, and that you’re nervous. That’s it. Post that sucker and then quietly sit back and sweat blood like the rest of us do. Even the really amazing writers of unbelievable talent sweat some. Probably. I’m sure they do. Sometimes.
A lot of folk have commented on this kind of annoying and off-putting habit. I just thought I’d throw my two cents in. Remember, little first timer—NO one is going to eat you up, or come to your house and mock you. You were brave enough to share your vision and that’s very, very cool! If you feel even the slightest like adding a “please forgive my suckiness”—go immediately to the nearest kind hearted person who will pat you and hold your hand until the feeling passes. And then—post that story!