Played the Wrong Piano

[tooth_and_claw]

Better today. I didn't get much work done, but I pushed through the horrible torture picture on my queue and now I am free of that one forever. Going out tonight for a birthday celebration for someone I have made the acquaintance of but don't really "know" know. He seems like a good dude, and it's important to keep getting up and running the friend

Comments

[swan_tower]

I've had this open in a tab since you posted it, because it made Thinky Thoughts happen, but not of a sort that would easily turn into words on the screen. :-P

It's interesting to contrast this with my own experience. I've always written on the assumption that one day I would share my writing with others; I know there are people who "write for themselves," in the sense that they don't actually care much whether they have an audience or not, but that's entirely alien to me. At the same time, I "write for myself" in the sense that I have generally written what I wanted to -- not something other people have asked for. Sure, outside factors do play in somewhat; I have to think about what I can most easily sell, etc. But outside of fanfic exchanges and the very occasional anthology invite, it's never somebody saying "write me a story about X" and me producing it on demand. So your own situation is also kind of alien to me, because I've never been in the position where other people's interest is the primary determining factor in what I produce.

Having said all of that: I think what you describe here is a good plan. Work in private, share on a small scale if you need critique (and I'm happy to be one of the critiquers if you think my eye would be at all useful), but don't show your cards (heh) until you're ready. Like, don't ask your critiquers leading questions -- should I do this card next? What do you think I should change about this image? Etc. Produce stuff, give it to them, let them tell you what they think unprompted. You're right that liking the attention isn't inherently a problem -- it's a very rare artist of any type who doesn't want an audience -- but it sounds like you need to develop a stronger internal compass for your own creative needs, and this strikes me as a good way to approach it.