Always interesting to see how other people work. I never show works in progress to anyone – I don’t want their opinions to fog my ‘vision’ (if you can call it that) before it’s fully formed. I too can be disheartened by lukewarm responses to book ideas so I tend not to share too much. My agent and editor see it first, when it’s done or at least in a place where I’ve taken it as far as I can without needing further collaboration.
I love hearing about people's different processes. For me, it does help to share what I'm thinking about with friends, and hearing it spoken helps me solidify some of my ideas.
I always feel guilty when I want to discuss an idea or ask for feedback, I suddenly I feel like I'm showing them a completely blank page and asking them to do all the work for me (in my worst head everything I write is so predictable you could genuinely guess it from a blank page?!)
But I know that it's actually the most useful thing I can do - I'm never precious about my work and if someone asks a question of it I suddenly have lots of alternative ideas that I'm excited to try - when I'm just working by myself I seem to be stuck down one tunnel. It's one of those things that I absolutely know about my own process, and still don't really do anything to facilitate.
This is really interesting- thank you for sharing! Was discussing this very thing, sharing vs privacy during the process, with a writing group yesterday...
I’ve noticed in listening to the writer interviews that there’s such a difference in approach w tv writers and novelists. It seems that tv writing requires a thick skin to be able to withstand all sorts of reactions and feedback very early whereas novel writing tends to be a much more private protected act. My sense is both approaches have something to learn from one another. I like to keep an idea private before I’ve started working on it if only to keep the energy of it from dissipating.
Funnily enough, Substack has been a big help for me in this area. I've been working on a novel for almost Six years now, and have only shared short extracts with friends and other writers--for many of the same reasons I've seen in this comment section.
My recent workaround, has been to post short stories here on my Substack page. This doesn't solve the "When am I gonna get to read your book?" questions, but it does stem the creeping thoughts, that people may be questioning whether I'm even writing/if I am, is it any good.
I've noticed a positive shift in the way people talk to me about writing since I've taken this approach.
Always great to get insight to others’ processes – especially when they’ve led to successful outcomes, as is the case for Östlund. For me, it’s rather the opposite: it’s only when I start writing that I know where I’m going or whether it’s worth it to continue.
I think you're right about confidence. Even if you're an experienced writer, some apprehension around putting it all out there is natural.
- If you've ever had a project peter out, getting follow-up questions like "whatever happened to that book you were working on?" doesn't feel great 😅
- If you're the kind of unflappable person who can pitch ideas and take people's reactions onboard without second-guessing yourself or feeling discouraged, that's wonderful. A *lot* of writers are highly sensitive people who care deeply and may be prone to overthinking. That sensitivity is part of what makes them perceptive artists, after all, which is why...
- Finding the right person to share your work with can be tricky. Try to avoid anyone who’ll just tell you what you want to hear, filter feedback through their own insecurities, or may leave you hanging without getting back to you. Any of those things can have a negative impact on your writing, depending on your sensibility.
But if you have someone who'll be honest and constructive, with no stake in the situation, they are worth cherishing!
Always interesting to see how other people work. I never show works in progress to anyone – I don’t want their opinions to fog my ‘vision’ (if you can call it that) before it’s fully formed. I too can be disheartened by lukewarm responses to book ideas so I tend not to share too much. My agent and editor see it first, when it’s done or at least in a place where I’ve taken it as far as I can without needing further collaboration.
I love hearing about people's different processes. For me, it does help to share what I'm thinking about with friends, and hearing it spoken helps me solidify some of my ideas.
I always feel guilty when I want to discuss an idea or ask for feedback, I suddenly I feel like I'm showing them a completely blank page and asking them to do all the work for me (in my worst head everything I write is so predictable you could genuinely guess it from a blank page?!)
But I know that it's actually the most useful thing I can do - I'm never precious about my work and if someone asks a question of it I suddenly have lots of alternative ideas that I'm excited to try - when I'm just working by myself I seem to be stuck down one tunnel. It's one of those things that I absolutely know about my own process, and still don't really do anything to facilitate.
This is really interesting- thank you for sharing! Was discussing this very thing, sharing vs privacy during the process, with a writing group yesterday...
I’ve noticed in listening to the writer interviews that there’s such a difference in approach w tv writers and novelists. It seems that tv writing requires a thick skin to be able to withstand all sorts of reactions and feedback very early whereas novel writing tends to be a much more private protected act. My sense is both approaches have something to learn from one another. I like to keep an idea private before I’ve started working on it if only to keep the energy of it from dissipating.
Funnily enough, Substack has been a big help for me in this area. I've been working on a novel for almost Six years now, and have only shared short extracts with friends and other writers--for many of the same reasons I've seen in this comment section.
My recent workaround, has been to post short stories here on my Substack page. This doesn't solve the "When am I gonna get to read your book?" questions, but it does stem the creeping thoughts, that people may be questioning whether I'm even writing/if I am, is it any good.
I've noticed a positive shift in the way people talk to me about writing since I've taken this approach.
Oooh I cannot wait to listen to this!
Always great to get insight to others’ processes – especially when they’ve led to successful outcomes, as is the case for Östlund. For me, it’s rather the opposite: it’s only when I start writing that I know where I’m going or whether it’s worth it to continue.
This is brilliant, thank you.
I think you're right about confidence. Even if you're an experienced writer, some apprehension around putting it all out there is natural.
- If you've ever had a project peter out, getting follow-up questions like "whatever happened to that book you were working on?" doesn't feel great 😅
- If you're the kind of unflappable person who can pitch ideas and take people's reactions onboard without second-guessing yourself or feeling discouraged, that's wonderful. A *lot* of writers are highly sensitive people who care deeply and may be prone to overthinking. That sensitivity is part of what makes them perceptive artists, after all, which is why...
- Finding the right person to share your work with can be tricky. Try to avoid anyone who’ll just tell you what you want to hear, filter feedback through their own insecurities, or may leave you hanging without getting back to you. Any of those things can have a negative impact on your writing, depending on your sensibility.
But if you have someone who'll be honest and constructive, with no stake in the situation, they are worth cherishing!