Oh, definitely. I believe every writer does. Character development is so important if you want your readers to really connect with your characters. I can't think of a better way to make your characters more realistic and relatable than to put a bit of yourself into them and their situations.
Always. Because my writing is focussed on contemporary mental health issues and consequences thereto, it is very important for me to know what my readers think and feel about my writing. It is fiction, but it is emotionally charged and tends to have an impact on people in very real, relatable ways. It is preferable of course, to read good reviews, however, there is always something beneficial to take from constructive criticism and negative feedback as well. All reviews and opinions help me to grow not only as a writer, but also as a person. I welcome them all with an open mind.
I was asked this same question by another writer last week trying to finish her first novel and I will tell you the same thing I told her. As with anything we aspire to do, we have to know the goal we are reaching for. If you are writing to become rich and famous, then you may want to find a different course of action, as you will have a long and tenuous journey. If you are writing because you are impassioned to do so, then write. Believe in your words and the stories will write themselves. You just have to keep the pen upright for the ink to keep flowing.
Amazing! To meet someone that read my work and hear that it impacted them enough to remember it, and then to recognize me for it is the best compliment. It makes all those hundreds of hours of editing and re-editing worthwhile.
