Dipping back into this site after a break, I've come across quite a few entries under 'shared works' that are only a couple of lines long, a summary of a story, or an proclamation of a self-published work. When I used to use the site regularly I posted excerpts of work in progress to get feedback so that I knew how it was coming across to the reader and how I could make improvements, and most other users did the same. So my question is, what are contributors hoping for when they share, especially those who share the very short pieces?
clear constructive feedback and give the inspiration to write. it can be eye opening to have feedback that makes you think differently or approach writing differently.
Hello Susan I also use it for feedback as I feel I need all the help I can get with my writing and do appreciate the comments that are made. Sometimes though I think it can make you feel a little low when no one reads what you took the time to write and when you see zero comments it can have a negative effect. But on the whole the site is a great way to read and be read by other like minded people. I personally find it helpful and inspirational.
I've recently returned to the site too. I used to share fairly frequently, but I haven't done so in a while partly due to the grey area as to whether putting it online then counts as it having been published in the eyes of some, and thereby disqualifying it from many competitions. The chances are small but you never know.
I did find feedback on short stories extremely useful on occasion in the past, though.