Should I post this online?

[tologna]

what's that? you say you're still in school? NO! don't post it.
nothing personal, but I doubt you're a very good writer at that age, as almost no one IS. the internet is overflowing with god-awful garbage posted by school-kids like you.
better to just keep it to yourself and work on your technique for now.

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

I'd advise you to it. I'll explain.

One of the hardest things for beginners in any art style, in my opinion, is the ability to share it with others. It's because, despite what viewers may think, it's a personal craft. This applies to artwork, stories, music, etc. I had to take an art course for uni, which was rough because I'd only ever drawn privately, and more-or-less feared showing it off.

As it turns out, if you want to improve it's a fairly important step. Disregarding feedback, it's a way to get comfortable with your craft and help boost your confidence for later works. It is very daunting just diving in, but the more you do it the easier it gets. But, of cause, be smart about where you post it...there are trolls everywhere, and you really wouldn't want to start off with bad experiences. I suggest DeviantArt since it's more in the artists control than the posters.

I will say though that I have similar problems. Whether writing (my preference) or drawing, I'm very reluctant to post things. I wish I wasn't, and it did get easier during the stretch where I was over it, but going quite a while without makes it hard to jump back in again.

I'll just end with this: most artists/writers are, to a degree, blind in regards to their own work. If you want to learn to get better, the best way is to display it and let the readers be your eyes.

EDIT: Although I'd say it's best to keep it away from the eyes of people from school that could get to you. Easy enough to do, just post without stating your real name, and don't give away the username to people you don't want to be able to follow it. I'd imagine those people don't have the skills or effort needed to stalk someone online.

 

[Lukeman1884]

I think people will call them immature or stupid.

Why do you think that? I doubt it's because you actually think your work is bad. It looks like you understand something all writers need to hold close to heart. You can't please everyone. You aren't writing for people who see romance and think "OMG girly gay love story LULz", so don't bother listening to what they say. Post your writing somewhere where people will actually read and appreciated it. I think someone mentioned Fictionpress already, that's a good site.

 

[smithy_2045]

There's already enough shit on the internet as is.

 

[Fridge]

If I have not made it obvious by now, I absolutely love fantasy and romance. My two favorite genres of literature and manga and anime. I've actually written a few stories on my computer, and yes, they are romantic fantasies. I'm a little self-conscious about myself and what others think of me sometimes, so even though my brother already said my stories are good, I think people will call them immature or stupid. It doesn't help to be in a school where the kids are brutal, so it's like I'm a twig getting run over by rocks.

I can already predict one kind of comment I'd get: "Stop being a pussy and stop caring what others say." I take comments to heart; I'm that kind of person that sucks at ignoring people. I think it's because my family is known for being nosy (hehe). I'll just say that this isn't supposed to be a very emotional thread. My question to you all is this: Should I post these stories online for others to read? Is it worth posting it for some to like and some to scorn? I don't mind criticism as long as it's constructive, but again, the kids at my school cuss at you for raising your hand...

Again, this isn't an emotional thread. It's an advice thread. I need a bit of advice from fellow nerds/escapists/related others.

Personally I would say do it, for every bad comment out there I'm certain you'll get a fair few compliementary ones in return if not compliementary then some constructive criticism. Deviantart is probably your best place to go though.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

This is the Goddamn Escapist! Post anything creative here!

 

[Keava]

Ask yourself a simple question. Why do you write them? Is it to share your imagination with other's or is it for your own pleasure and fun you get from it?

Internet is a harsh place, if you want to avoid rude criticism or can't stand any form of criticism then don't post it, if you wan to know the value of your works try to get in contact with some actual author. I know a few that actually do respond to e-mails. They will tell you whenever it's the general idea you lack or just simple craft skills that make your works boring to read, or maybe they will say it's pretty good. One thing for sure, you will get answer from someone who actually is in the industry.

If you just want to share your works, then post it, but mind that there will be trolls, there will be people who will disregard you just for the genre, people who have no idea about criticism will comment on it, based only on their own, personal bias. They won't bother pointing out structural mistakes, style nor actual literature/entertainment value, and just focus on their prejudice.

Publishing your works, in any way or form, is always exposing yourself, so if you can't handle that better just stick to writing them for yourself, eventually some of your friends that like your style. If you are seeking fame, you better be sure you are good before posting anything, else, as even seen in this thread, people will whine just for sake of it.

 

[Bellvedere]

It really all depends on what you want to happen.

Is your goal to become a respected writer in a small close knit online community of story writers?

Do you want something to come out of this in real life?

Do you just want to find out if you're a good writer or not?

Do you just genuinely want to share what you think is an interesting story?

Posting online you get basically three types of people. People that will love any crap that anyone writes for whatever reason whether it's so the person in question will read and love their crap, foster a community and feel involved or because it's so bad there's nothing that can be said to improve it and they feel sorry for you. People that will only offer "constructive" criticism for similar reasons as the first group but at the same time making themselves look/feel like better writers because they're handing out advice. And thirdly the type of people that will laugh at you and be mean.

Ofcorse any of them could be being honest depending on the situation but online it's even harder to tell that in real life.

If you're just looking for something fun to do then post online. If you're pretty serious about writing and actually looking for it to mean something look around locally for short story contests or even online contests. It's good practice and actual competitions look good on things that people like to know about your community involvement and extra curricular sort of things.

 

[tigermilk]

Things to remember in terms of criticism. If everyone likes something it is boring, and whatever you produce someone will criticise it whatever the content. If you get a hard time at school at least this is disembodied, hopefully text on a screen isn't as unpleasent as face to face criticism.

I read a review of Citizen Kane that said "It's boring in black and white and I prefer The Da Vinci Code". Different strokes for different folks and some people are arseholes.

 

[No_Remainders]

I'm kinda similar. I've written a few songs on guitar and I've showed some people and they all say they're good but I'm just not able to believe them tbh...
Shrug. Go for it anyway. I probably wouldn't be too interested, but I might give one a read.