Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Tell the Truth about Teaser Tuesdays...

So every Tuesday I end up having this debate with myself - should I post a teeny tiny snippet of our work?

On one hand, I love getting little mini-critiques from our readers and if there are any editors surfing our blog, I would love for them to get a taste of our writing.

On the other hand...It makes me a little nervous. I mean, how much is too much?

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments. Authors, do you post teasers on your blogs? If yes, do you ever get worried about posting too much? If no, why not? Agents/editors we'd love to hear your perspective as well and feel free to comment anonymously if that makes you more comfortable.

Really interested to hear your take on all this.

21 comments:

Kimberly Derting said...

I'm crazy-superstitious about even talking about my works-in-progress, so a snippet, never! I think it's fear of "the jinx". Like it'll ruin my mojo somehow.

That said, I love reading your shares! And I read sample chapters on publishers websites and use the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon. So, I'm sort of a voyeur, I suppose.

I guess what I'm saying is, keep 'em coming, ladies. Me likey!

MeganRebekah said...

I'm a hypocrite on this subject.

I adore reading other people's Tuesday Teasers, as I get a taste of other people's books and writing styles. It's a great way to learn what I like and don't like, and what works best.

On the other hand, I've stopped participating in them myself. I didn't want people to feel obligated to comment with praise (not that it was all praise) just because I'd put myself out there. And sometimes I'd look back at the snippets from months ago and think Ugh, did I really post that publicly? It's hideous.

In the future if I do another Teaser Tuesday it will be very short - no more than one or two sentences (literally, just a teaser). Or I would post something if I wanted feedback or advice on a small section. Like - does this make sense? Is this funny, or am I crazy? And I would ask for honest feedback. I like honesty best, even if it's critical (and I don't mean rude. I like honesty, not rude people).

Sara Raasch said...

I love posting snippets -- it motivates me to actually write stuff to post. And I love getting feedback on the snippets to see if I got across what I wanted to get across in those few words.

Christina Lee said...

I am also gun shy about posting my own stuff-in the future I'd like to get the nerve to test out one or two liners. So it depends how you look at it-if you're not shy about it and really like the feedback- fire away! I enjoy reading it definitely !!!

Unknown said...

The way I see it... the WIP is off limits... but once you have a manuscript that's been whored around..(Is that okay to say, because that's how it feels...) I think you can post itsy bitsy bits of it up... because chances are most people have already laughed at the concept at lunches and...wow.. is my paranoia in full swing or what?

Sarah Wylie said...

Hypocrite here as well. Love reading, too paranoid/insecure to share.

I don't think there's anything wrong with sharing little snippets - especially if they're good and lure editors/agents/adoring fans in, and also get you some feedback from readers.

Sherrie Petersen said...

I've never posted a piece because I'm a terrified paranoid wuss. But I love reading yours :)

XiXi said...

I try not to post or talk that much about it until the project is done. But if you makes you feel better, that question troubled me so much I actually googled it to see if it was safe. The general consensus seems to be, as long as you're just posting snippets, you should be fine. Just don't post your entire book. :-)

Rebecca Knight said...

I've posted a few snippet, and enjoy reading other people's, but feel like I've reached my limit, if you will.

I know that it's not a great idea to post more than a few pages of any given novel because more than that is debatably published. Then, the publisher won't have first rights, and that may cause problems down the road.

Just my .02: I could be far too paranoid about that ;).

Corey Schwartz said...

I'm also one who loves to read yours, but is hesitant to share my won. Not our of insecurity (my PBs are great:) but out of paranoia that a future publisher may have objections.

If you weigh the cost-benefit, it just doesn't seem worth the risk!

lisa and laura said...

Ooh, it's so interesting to read your thoughts on all this guys! I think that we're at the same place as Rebekah where we've probably reached our limit with teasers for the immediate future. But I do love posting them. I never want anyone to feel obligated to comment, but I love posting a random paragraph and hearing what you guys think. We're total feedback whores, big shocker, I'm sure.

Truthfully, I just wish someone would publish our book already so we can start trolling the interwebs for reviews and etc. I can't even imagine what that must be like for those of you who are published!

storyqueen said...

Love reading others, will not post my own. Because:

1. I am a card carrying member of the wuss club.
2. Sometimes I do not trust my own judgment....what I love one day I hate the next.
3. In terms of feedback......?

Shelley

Elana Johnson said...

I do it, but I limit mine to a paragraph or two. Here's why: when I'm reading blogs I want to read about 500 words, comment and move on. So if your snippet is much longer than that, I'm more likely to skim.

I like reading other people's stuff. I find it refreshing and imaginative.

Loretta Nyhan said...

I don't do it. I have a core group of trusted betas willing to kick my butt, so I don't really need to put myself out there in public. Also, I prefer to get feedback on big chunks of a novel, if not the whole thing. I think someone evaluating my work needs context, and that's all but impossible on the net.

Donna Gambale said...

Very relevant post, as always you seem to be two steps ahead of my thought processes! Ever since the Sneak Peek Week idea and posting on FNC, I've been thinking about making "WIPets" a regular part of the blog... great to see what others think of it!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

i dont think it matters.

Kelly H-Y said...

Love reading others ... haven't done it myself!

Katie Anderson said...

When I read Donna's WIPets, I thought, "Oh that's cute like WIP pets. They are like our little pets aren't they?"

And then I realized in my complete dorkdom, I have misinterpreted her "snippets" reference.

At least I think so.

Now I don't know.

:(

Hardygirl said...

I love reading them, but yeah, I'm in the wuss club.

I think putting just enough out there to be a tease is good, but you have to know when to stop. It's like movie trailers that give too much away (or basically show every single funny line in the movie so there's nothing left to laugh at when you really see it).

sf

Kerri said...

Unless I want to cross Agent I, it's better that I keep my writing to myself. Now saying that, I've posted some old stuff: poetry, songs, things that serve only to humiliate me and entertain others.

Carrie Harris said...

Okay, as a writer, I think it's fine. As a reader, it drives me nuts when I read a teaser and have no way to get my hands on the book! Patience is not a virtue that I possess. :)

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