The Problem of Getting People to Read Your Stuff

[hectorberlioz]

One thing I've found to be true is that people usually don't want to read what you've written, if it's fiction. We like to get absorbed in creating our stories and think that everyone else will see it the same, and it's not true.

This is true of me as well, since I have about six stories saved on my desktop by friends, which I've been meaning to get to and write critiques for, but haven't even opened. And yet I go around pushing my piddly poems and short stories like I'm Shakespeare or something.

Not trying to be negative or un-encouraging....but I think this a huge stumbling block for writers to get over, whether you're a good writer or just a piddler like me, because it does affect you when only four out of twenty of your friend/family circle bother to read what you've poured effort into, even if it's just to tell you that you ought to try harder or start over.

Any thoughts? Or am I just being a negative stinker?