To continue my examination of the online posted amateur fiction community, I wanted to discuss the concept of validation.

We live in an instant gratification society. That is old news. But one of the ways that translates into the world of the net, is that anyone can seek instant validation by posting their fiction on various sites such as Authorsden and fictionpress.

Most of the validation comes to the amateurs from other amateurs instead of from the experts. No one has to be an expert any longer to have their opinions considered valid.

All writers crave validation of themselves as writers. The need can be especially intense because writing is a lonely business. It makes us feel worthwhile and gives us energy to keep striving.

The problems with the validation that comes from posting stories in the free sites around the web is that most of the favorable comments come from people who have not yet learned their craft or developed true professional discernment and they give it to others who are also lacking in it.

What is lost is the ability to perceive one's work and that of others clearly. Another thing that is lost is the first rights to the work. When a person is told that they are already perfect and marvelous, then they have no motivation to truely strive for that often elusive measure of success. It has been handed to them on a platter and without merit.

then when the professionals who have managed to wring that elusive measure of success from the writing world criticize them, or they fail to make the transition into the paying markets, the amatuer often screams and creates ugly situations.

Success cannot be counted by how much you have given away to sites that run third and fourth rate freebies. Success only counts as such when you can measure up to the pros and compete on the same track. It's like saying that a high school track man is a "star" when he can't compete and win in the major tournaments. That is what the paying markets are: The major tournaments.

but it is understandable how the instant validation to be found on the freebie sites would carry the siren's song. Some people who should know better post because they are desperate for that fleeting taste of paradise, that irrestible song in their ears that says "you are valuable. You are desireable." But the sirens lured sailors onto the rocks with their songs so they could rip them to shreds and devour them. The song was a false promise and an illusion.

Reality is preferable to illusion. You cannot subsist on illusions without loosing your way.

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Other spots to find me: http://janraefrank.blogspot.com/ http://www.livejournal.com/users/cussedness

Some brief creds, a partial list

articles published in: Movieline *** Cinefantastique *** Washington Post Book World *** Los Angeles Times *** Los Angeles Drive Guide *** Black Belt *** Martial Arts Weapons *** Monsterland *** Thrust: Science Fiction in Review *** Science Fiction Review

Former MPAA Accredited Journalist. Currently Active member, SFWA, HWA