Dealing with indifference

[dabbler]

I wrote an article for a (very) small magazine I subscribe to. Basically this (quarterly) magazine will print anything that pertains to the subject.

I thought my article was really well written and others would think the same. I enjoyed writing it so much I felt encouraged to carry on writing other articles.

Reactions from friends and family were positive but I know that doesn't necessarily make it a well written article in itself. However, the reaction after I sent it to the magazine has been underwhelming. The editor accepted it without any comment and I have had no response at all from anybody who might have read the article (there are forums).

I am probably expecting too much but I had had plans to submit the article to other magazines/websites and now I am starting to doubt if it's as good as I thought it was. (I can't reproduce it here as it is very personal and I would be recognisable).

How do you ever know how good your writing is? I suppose I'm afraid of looking foolish in that I'm not as good a writer as I think I am

[seenyertoeslately]

I wouldn't be put of by the lack of response - if it were badly written, I expect someone would have said so. Perhaps it was not controversial; in -your- face statements usually elicit responses, often creating a backlash (as we see in AIBU).

Don't give up writing. At least your piece was accepted (and how do you know the editor accepts anything?). Think of all the reports you have heard of writers who complete whole novels that are rejected, but carry on and eventually get books published.

[WomanOnPluto]

Thanks for the reply seenyertoes, it was a bit controversial (for the subject) and was rejected from another magazine for that reason (though the publisher had positive comments about the writing).

I suppose writing is a bit of a leap of faith. I am always fearful of exposing myself through my writing and when I first started showing it to people what I feared were negative comments - turns out no comment is just as bad.

[WomanOnPluto]

Sorry forgot to change my name, it's dabbler here!

[faustina]

there's a website called www.abctales.com

you can post pieces there under whichever username you choose, and get honest and helpful feedback. They are so nice on there, I can't recommend it enough. It's also free. Give it a shot, see what they think

[Butterbur]

Absolutewrite.com is an absolute goldmine of advice for writers of all types. You can also post stuff for crit, and ask for beta readers.

Writing is like putting your skin on inside out, and criticism is hard to take, but if you want to get better, this is a good place.

[dabbler]

Have just looked at the abc site, it looks good! Am very nervous about posting there but will give it a go.

Not sure how Absolutewrite works yet but will give it a good look later. You're dead right about writing being like putting your skin on inside out Butterbur.

[faustina]

you won't regret it dabbler. I felt just the same last year. They are honest but kind, which is what you want really isn't it. No one will rip you to pieces but you will get some idea of how your work comes across to others. Good luck