Freelance Writers: Finding the Right Audience for Rough Drafts

Many freelance writers find that they can work more efficiently when someone reads a rough draft and provides honest feedback. This can be a valuable tool when used correctly, but it can also be detrimental if you fail to find the right audience. Obviously, the right audience for rough drafts will be different for each writer, but you'll need to think about your own needs and writing process before making this decision.

While constructive criticism is helpful for freelance writers, there is a fine line between constructive and destructive. If your audience for your rough drafts is constantly putting you down or insulting your style, you might lose the desire to write entirely. The right audience will provide honest feedback but will be careful to include the positive with the negative wherever possible.

When I'm working on a rough draft, the only person who is allowed to see it is my wife. She is both encouraging and honest in her criticisms and she never fails to call me on a mistake. But when push comes to shove, she motivates me to improve my writing as well as the individual piece and she is careful not to shatter my fragile ego in the process.

Finding the right audience for rough drafts might take a few tries. Take your rough draft to several different friends, family members and mentors and ask them to provide feedback. If you feel distraught and disheartened after hearing their criticism, you know that you haven't found the right audience. If, however, you feel motivated to improve upon an already-tight piece, then you've probably hit the nail on the head.

What you also have to realize is that one person's opinion is not necessarily indicative of what future readers might say. There will always be people on both ends of the spectrum: Some will come back with glowing praise every time while others will never have a positive word to say. That is the life of the writer and something to which you will have to grow accustomed.

When searching for the right audience for your rough drafts, consider the following points: