A writer I know recently asked for opinions about sharing writing in public or with the public. It’s wonderful that writers share work. It’s extraordinarily helpful to have feedback and to use that to encourage further work in revision or something new. Pure glory to have our work well-received.

My thoughts about sharing drafts begin with the goal, which for most writers is to improve our writing. I hope that’s the goal. We need an objective reader or listener to help us locate weakness and strength and to ensure the writing is accomplishing the work we hope it is accomplishing. Most of us hope for praise, but if that’s all a writer is looking for, the rest of what I have to say will not be helpful.