No matter how solitary the writing profession can be, every writer needs moral support. That support is an extrinsic motivation that they need to keep going, an assurance that the world will be waiting to read the story that they have been putting their blood, sweat, and tears into. Writers need to hear encouragement from friends, family, and relatives, especially when the writer is at that volatile point in his career where having no money and audience is a distraction. And he should hear even more encouragement when he has achieved these two because having them becomes an even bigger distraction.

A writer may find a writing retreat in a cabin high in the mountains, but it is comforting for him to think that friends and family are there to give him support and even admiration. These people are often the first to read your work and seeing how you put words into paper has convinced them that you have what it takes to become great at what you do.

But you have sense enough to understand that family and friends do not have the profound knowledge that goes into the vocation of writing. For them, giving you moral support means being nice to you. They will reserve any harsh judgment upon reading your work. If they chose to be honest, they will tell you what they don’t like about your plotting, setting, or characterization. Critical reading of your manuscript is essential so that you can spot areas for improvement. Your family and friends are not helpful at giving healthy feedbacks. They could either be too nice or too brutally straightforward, but never objective.

While you may enjoy the flattery or take note of their biting remarks, chances are, you will not regard their feedback with the same degree of seriousness as you would receiving it from professional writers and editors. Your family and friends are not educated in all the essential aspects that go into the anatomy of a great story.

Have you ever seen an episode of “American Idol”? Many hopefuls flock into the studio to take a crack at the auditions. Some of them are even accompanied by family or friends who cheer for them, giving them moral support and extolling the virtues of their God-given singing voices. Simon Cowell had to reprimand the parents of one teenage contestant for giving her false hope through their misplaced and unrealistic encouragement. The girl obviously can’t sing. It’s the same when your family and friends read your work. Of course, you can write, but your family and friends can’t critique objectively.

Consider yourself as your own worst critic. Even before you ask others to read your work, you already have an idea of which parts of your story need improvement. You let others read your work because once in a while you are driven to hear words of encouragement. Only you know what you really need to know.  If you feel the need to let them read your work, then let them. With writing as a personal act, you will always stand your ground. You can always be ready to hear compliments or deprecation. Some writers, however, only let their family and friends read their work when it has already seen print. The choice is entirely up to you.