Writers, does receiving praise for your work matter?
Keep reading to explore this topic, then leave a comment to join this dialogue. And don’t miss today’s writing prompt at the bottom of the post.
I’ve seen a lot of writers on Substack claim that they’re going to keep writing and sharing what they write no matter what, even if and when they don’t receive recognition or praise for the work and words they publish. And I think that’s an admirable sentiment and aim, truly… to an extent. Because I also think that it’s an aim that is easier claimed than wholeheartedly accepted at the end of the day.
Meaning: as writers, deep down, I do believe we all crave positive attention and recognition for our work and the words we intentionally share. I believe we want to be truly seen behind all our messy and polished drafts alike, in other words. And that we desperately want our words to connect us to the best versions of ourselves, others in the world, and the world itself. Don't we? Isn't human understanding and connection what writing, what language, is all about?
I'm not saying we writers should want or aim to have every word we scrawl and send into the abyss of the internet lauded as the greatest thing ever written.
First, that kind of praise and attention would likely make even the most confident among us skeptical of all praise ever offered, as even celebrated writers and laureates have diehard critics and haters.
Second, it wouldn't permit us to think we should ever be allowed to write badly or struggle with expressing ourselves or to embrace the beautiful plight that is the writing process. Not to mention that we would likely start to suffer from intense perfectionism that would leave us paralyzed and speechless, which would be nothing short of catastrophic.
I suppose what I am saying is that I think it's okay to want others to read and value your work and tell you so, then share it with others. And that all writers should expect positive recognition for the work they share… to some degree.
Of course, not everyone will ‘get’ what we write or why. And some might even outright loathe it or ridicule it (which might mean we're onto something?). But plenty of people should connect with our work and appreciate it— metadata and algorithm gods permitting. Because that's what written works do. That's what language does. It all connects.
Language allows us to see one another on a different, more honest and humane level, if we take full advantage of its power to authentically connect. Which means at some point, we writers will desire that someone else positively recognize what we're writing and putting out there.
Ultimately, maybe it isn't praise we need as writers, but recognition that someone else cares that our work, our words, exist, primarily because they are an extension, an expression of us, what we value, and what we are contributing to the world and others. And that matters a great deal.
Someone recognizing our work, our words, our language, and engaging with it in a positive and meaningful way is an existential affirmation that we exist and matter too, yes?
What are your thoughts on this topic? Leave a comment to join this dialogue, then share this post with others so they can join this dialogue too.
Want to express your appreciation for this particular post?
Buy me a coffee one time, or become a free or paid monthly suscriber for less than the cost of a coffee. Please and thank you! My writing and I are fueled by loyal readers, caffeine, and kind gestures.
© All Rights Reserved by K.E. Creighton; Creighton’s Compositions LLC.
You may also enjoy:
Today’s Writing Prompt
Writing Prompt: Raw Emotions
Write a scene that has two characters expressing their raw emotions to each other.
Writing Tip
Before you begin writing, consider: What emotions are they feeling and or conveying? Anger, joy, love, sadness, frustration? How and why? And are they feeling the same emotions as each other?
Be sure to share what you write for any of the daily writing prompts in a subscriber chat thread so we can read and discuss what you wrote.
