ShiroiHikari (post: 1463782) wrote:Okay, so I really need some input and feedback, but I simply do not have the time, desire, or skill required to critique other peoples' writing. Does anyone know of any place to go to get input without having to give critiques in return? I mean, I just want to know if what I'm working on is any good. I don't want to have to play editor just to get feedback.
It's also entirely possible that I'm just a selfish jerk.
Hmm, not really unless you want to pay an editor (
not advised). I mean there are places like Devart, or web forums like this one, or creating your own blog, but you'll have to settle for random voluntary feedback in such places. But one strategy for possibly increasing the odds of getting feedback is to search for forums dedicated to your particular genre. For example, if you write space opera stories, you're much more inclined to find volunteers to read your story on a forum populated by people who enjoy space opera fiction. I dunno, might work.
Possibly check out writing.com, they work on a point reward system in order to encourage feedback (and you earn more points by critiquing other people's stuff), but I think you can just post stuff and not 'gift' points for reading it. I always get lost on that site so I don't know much else about it.
But yeah, most critique circles for 'seriously aspiring' writers use a give-and-take system because that way it's fair, and like you they aren't inclined to spend precious time evaluating other people's stuff without some worthy incentive. I know it can seem like a hassle to critique other people's stuff, but it's actually not a pointless exercise--it's possible to learn quite a bit, particularly if the other writers are of a similar or better skill level.