Honesty vs. Brutality
As much as I try to be constructive and helpful when
critiquing another writer’s work, it does NOT come across as either, for these
reasons: they (the writers) are in love with their work (as they should be);
they want to hear praise (I make sure to do that); just the same, no amount of
praise is going to ameliorate hard truths, like “This scene does not forward
the storyline. It seems unnecessary
to the book’s arc.” Or “You’ve
already said this.” Or “This
dialogue has no subtext. It’s not
believable.” I could go on and
on. I don’t read for anyone
anymore. For me, it tends to end
with hurt feelings.
On the flip side of the coin, I have received editorial
feedback like, “I think you should rewrite this from a different point of view.” “Cut these four pages.” “Write something better, more beautiful
here.” “You don’t need this.”
And, truth be told, you better pull on your big boy or big
girl panties because if you want to be a successful writer, you better learn
how to take criticism. You not
only have to take it, but you have to turn it around and be grateful that someone
cares deeply enough about your words and work to tell you the truth about
them.
Like in comedy, delivery is everything. Start by saying something positive,
like, “I like the paper you used.”
“I bet this pen was expensive.”
“Great font you’ve chosen.”
I try VERY hard not to read the work of aspiring
authors. Feelings get hurt.
Flip the coin: I know who I can trust to read for me, and I
am oh so appreciative!
Michele Young-Stone is the author of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, a 2010 Publisher's Weekly top ten for debut fiction. Buy the book HERE.
Look for WHERE I AM
BORN, Simon & Schuster, 2014/2015. You can read excerpts at Michele's Blog/Website www.micheleyoung-stone.com
It's so hard to read an aspiring writer's work, because of what Michele says. I've been in critique groups where all the writers did was praise each other. No input but "I loved it." Generally, I liked what they wrote, but I knew they could do better. I try to live by my writer's motto: Check your egos at the door. Doing this can prevent hurt feelings and meltdowns.
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ReplyDeleteI'm a tough critiquer myself and have worked very hard to make sure I use gentle gloves even as I tell the truth. I try to remember the "sandwich method" of couching a critique between two compliments (love the font comment!), but I can't say I always succeed. That said, I would rather get honest critique and so that is what I give. Hopefully I accept the same with good grace.
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Thank you Elizabeth and Betsy. I always felt like I gave "good" constructive and helpful criticism, but I never felt like anyone took it without being hurt. It's hard. I'm at the point now where I can hear anything constructive about my work. It just has to be something that I can actually address. "This sucks," or "I can't read this," never helps. :-)
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Absolutely agree on starting with the positive. People are so much more receptive to criticism if they're not immediately made to feel like they're under attack.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece. And loved the bird on your head. What's up with that?
ReplyDeleteThis sandwich method of coating the critique you've got with the positive stuff is really good. But it's sometimes so hard to find people who use it...they either only praise you, or break your wings with all the criticism.
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