When I got my daughter’s 3rd grade newsletter (when she finally returned to school after her bout with the flu), there was an entire page on a new technique they were using to teach spelling. The letter also asked parents to encourage children to spell carefully.
I was delighted to see this at the end of the letter: “Most importantly, don’t overdo it. Some places need to be “free zones” where children are free to express themselves without fear of the ‘red pen.’ Journals, poems, anything personal should be encouraged, not graded.”
I easily remember being 8 years old and giving stories for different teachers or adult friends to read. “It’s a wonderful story. But I’m so distracted by the spelling that I can’t really enjoy it as much…” The “wonderful story” got lost and so did the encouragement. I wasn’t asking them to grade it. I wanted them to like the story.
I think the same school of thought applies to adults. Obviously, spelling and grammar need to be perfect when we’re at the submission stage. But before then, unless someone specifically asks for line editing help, I think it’s much better to offer encouragement on content as well as advice on improving the manuscript (if that’s what’s asked for.)
When I gave my manuscript to first readers years ago, I didn’t know to tell them what types of errors I needed them to read for. Now I’d rather say, “Can you read this strictly for content?” unless I’m at the point where I need line revision.
The writing community is an incredibly supportive one. I think that’s because writers get constant rejection—agents, editors, reviewers, even critique group members. We get negative feedback on our work. And maybe we’re not the best folks to handle it.
I’ve read articles from some writers that say we shouldn’t give out false hope to writers who just haven’t gotten there yet. I don’t agree. No one’s saying the road to publication isn’t a rough one. No one’s saying not to do your homework and revise like crazy.
But every manuscript or poem or essay I’ve ever taken a look at has some worth to it. If the writer has cared enough to share it, there’s a spark in the words that belongs to the writer.
It might be an original idea or an interesting character, or a new twist on an old plot.
One of the critique groups I was in had a rule: you’ve got to find something good to say about the manuscript. You couldn’t just go in and rip it to shreds. You had to find some redeeming value to the piece. And there’s always something there.
Writing can be a very discouraging business. It helps tremendously to have people who cheer you on.
Elizabeth – You’ve raised such a very important point – as always : )! Encouragement – honest encouragement – is so crucial to writers. Writers want to know that their ideas are clear, that the reader is caught up in the story, and that the characters and events ring true. Critique groups, writer friends and other trusted readers are the most helpful when they focus on content. The time for “shredding” for mechanics is later, after everything else is done. As you say, there is a seed of good in just about all writing; mining for it helps the writer.
You took me right back to grade school and I couldn’t agree more. Encouragement not critical nitpicking should be first and foremost. Most of us never received that kind of positive reinforcement. It sounds like your daughter goes to a terrific school.
I really loved this post Elizabeth. Let’s me know that I’m on the right track with encouraging others in everything that they do, especially in writing. Thanks for sharing.
So true! I try to make a general rule of pointing out one thing I like for every one thing I pointed out wrong. Or questionable. :0)
Finding the positive is important, because we all need those warm fuzzies. That being said, I need my CPs to tell me what’s wrong, because that’s what I have to work on fixing.
We use the ‘no negatives’ when working with new learners in Adult Literacy as well. There are the “lessons” which we correct, but the journals, etc. are left unmarked.
I teach my students to use the “hamburger” when critiquing anything – put the critique between the compliments. Start with something you like (the bun), give some advice on what you’d like to see change (the meat), end with something else you like (the other bun). It seems to work :)
I love this post. I think everyone does have something to say, but they are so afraid that their work isn’t “good enough” that they never try. I think your group was right, find something good about everything you read. Thanks for an inspiring post.
From talking with other writers, I believe the first and biggest hurdle is merely *completing* the project (novel, screenplay, poem, etc.) you’re working on. It’s almost impossible to constructively tweak finer points without a completed first draft.
Nit-picking at a WIP encourages the writer to bog down and not drive ahead to The End. Getting to The End is the sole purpose of the first draft, not polishing what you’ve written. The ability to barrel ahead past the Inner Editor is a valuable skill all on its own.
So if there are comments to be made on a WIP, almost always my encouragement is about removing the obstacles that keep a writer from completing that draft.
Excellent post. I have found that there always is something good to be found in a piece of writing I’m commenting on. (awkward sentence there, but you know what I mean :)
Serious critiques are very helpful, of course. A writer needs to know that the writing makes reader want to continue to the end of the story.
But after the critique, encouraging words make this writing life so much easier to follow.
I’ve been in writing workshops where Jemi’s “hamburger” method was used, and it was pretty effective. Although I was usually kinda hungry when we were finished!
And truly, Elizabeth, who are WE to take away hope from another. Even in my business (job), it is never right to make someone feel stupid about what they are doing.
Such a good heartfelt post.
I recently entered a writing contest on a blog. This is the first time I have ever put my fiction “out there” for anyone to see. I am thrilled that everyone who has commented has been nice and encouraging. It means a lot to me. I agree that you can always find something nice to say and I’m glad that the commenters seem to think the same thing.
I agree that we should give writers hope because of the long process.
I read writer’s work everyday where I don’t think they’re ready to publish and they do. I give pointers, try to give areas to redo (POV or showing vs. telling, grammar),but I always give encouragement.
When I first started writing, my work was horrid. Thankfully no one told me to give up and everyday my work improves.
ann
Thanks for your post, you have helped me with something I have been wrestling with.
I am somewhat careful when I evaluate other people´s stories. I don´t feel I am a very qualified judge though I read so much, because I think it is difficult to evaluate the work of friends objectively.
But you are right, one should always try to find some positive sides to the story, and a clever editor would never turn down a fine piece of writing just because of some spelling errors. Computer programmes can spell, but it takes an author to write a good story!
Like you, I also tell my own readers what to look for, and as a rule I don´t want them to bother about language (as large-scale plotting is what I am not so good at).
Good Post.
There are enough critics waiting to stomp on a writer’s ego in the name of “helping.” I work with teen writers and my number one rule is to go for the positive. As a young writer matures, he/she will see many of the elements that need to be improved, but in the beginning, it’s about seeing the good stuff in a story and dealing with the big picture. So far, I have gotten very positive reactions from the group. They try even harder and feel supported rather than criticized. My greatest success is that I was able to teach them how to give a sandwich critique and they were able to read their work in front of a group.
Laurel
My mom saved special papers from school, complete with uncorrected spelling. I do the same for my son. Yeah, it’s funny to look back and see that I spelled bear as ber or friend as fren. But I don’t laugh at my son. I remember being in his shoes all too well.
And to transition that to other writers is great. Because I do so much editing, I have to remind myself to move away from the line edit. It always helped to know what type of advice a person is wanting.
Have a great weekend.
I totally agree with you. If you can’t think of something (preferably two somethings) good to say, then keep quiet and look harder. And put yourself in their shoes.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I agree with you in spirit on this one. I get asked to read books and review them. Some of them are really not very good. But I don’t tear the author’s heart out with scathing reviews – I find something good about it and play that up, mention where I felt the book could be “imporved” and post that. Unless in my mind it really doesn’t deserve at least 3 stars, then if it need that much work I’ll write the author personally and offer some constructive ctiticism on how make the book better and offer to re-read it at later date. The thing is, there has to be honesty, otherwise nobody knows the truth, but there’s no neeed to cross the line and be cruel, either, hmm?
Marvin D Wilson
Margot–Thanks. :) And when the writer can identify what their strength in the manuscript is, then they can play it up and make the project stronger.
Jamie–Thanks! I think writers can get their spirits crushed fairly easily–they’re putting a lot of themselves on the page and can take criticism personally. Encouragement is really a gift!
Kristi–Good rule to critique by. Thanks for coming by my blog.:)
David–Sounds like you had the same experiences that I did! Yes, I think schools in general are a lot more cognizant of the need to encourage writing–so many kids aren’t doing it. She does go to a terrific school, though–an award-winning public one.
Terry–Absolutely. When I’m sharing my manuscripts now, they’re ready for some really tough feedback. Starting out, I needed the criticism to be much more constructive and encouraging. And I can only imagine how encouraging and patient you’d need to be to work with Adult Literacy.
Jemi–I love this idea! And I’m sure the students really appreciate the way you’ve set this up. Kids and teens are so sensitive to criticism and so unsure of themselves. Your method would really help.
Mason–Thanks! And you’re right…writing is one of those things that can be improved.
Ann–It’s really a grueling process and we need folks to cheer us on. My work was horrid when I started out, too. But perseverance goes a long way.
Glynis–Thanks! And thanks so much for coming by.
Suzanne–Well put! That’s why I really can’t imagine working with a critique group *while* writing a first draft. You’re so right that it’s important to just FINISH the draft first…and if we’re getting negative feedback while writing, I just can’t see where that’s productive.
Raven–Oh, you must be a saint to work with teen writers! They’re all so creative, but so sensitive. They seem to need and want critiques that are genuine reviews, but they also need strong encouragement. I speak in classrooms sometimes and I really feel like I’m treading so lightly–no one wants to step on anyone’s dreams.
Marisa–Exactly! And once we’ve gotten our story to the point where we’re thinking of submitting it, we do need a serious critique from someone before we send it. But to get the story written takes real encouragement.
Alan–Focusing on hamburgers will do that to you!
Helen–There’s always something good there. Even if the writer isn’t experienced enough yet to express the idea effectively.
Marvin–I like the way you handle that. After all, you’re an *editor*, so I’d imagine a writer would expect some editing advice/help from you. I think it’s wonderful that you handle it in such an encouraging way.
Laura–Sounds like a great idea behind your blog! I’m sure your readers really appreciate it. Absolutely, feel free to repost.
Teresa–That’s what I think, too. Who knows what talent we’re discouraging, if we’re critical. After all, writing can be *improved* over time. Practice and perseverance go a long way. If we haven’t encouraged the writer to continue, we’re squashing the progress they could make. And think of all the great books we could miss out on!
I agree Elizabeth. I’m a bugabear about telling my readers what I want to hear and I don’t care anymore if I hurt potential reader’s feelings by saying – no my manuscript isn’t ready to go to you because you won’t hold back on the kind of criticism I’m not asking for right now. I need to know if the story hangs together, if you get and like the main protagonist, if there are plot holes you could drive a truck through – not that I don’t know what commas are for and you don’t like stories about this or that, or could I change the characters’ names because you knew a Henry once and he was a jerk, and on and on. Nope! Find what works and tell the person. Give them courage – that’s the HEART (cour)of encourage.
Critiquing other’s work is a tricky business. I tread carefully.
Bravo, Elizabeth. This is so important. It’s important in all areas, not just writing. There is always something good to say about someone or some thing. Thank you for this encouraging post on encouragement.
Karen
This is a great reminder. With my writer’s group we have a rule about ASKING for the level of critique you want, and among people who are all helping each other, I think that is perfect. It is hard though, when someone else says ‘what do you think?’ I am possibly too honest. (I do try to point out what I like, but if there is work to do, I say so)
My daughter writes beautifully but on occasions I’ve tried to correct ‘facts’ and can see now that just encouraging the writing is important. She doesn’t like the ‘rewrite’ process at all, but neither do I… I’ve just gotten far enough i know we all need it.
I particularly love the ‘hamburger’ suggestion and the WiP should just be encouraged until it’s DONE–THAT is when we start to clean it.
Jan–That’s so true. And I think when we’re looking for quick feedback on a story, you’re absolutely right–what do they think of the main character? What do they think of the situation we’ve put them in? And I’d not realized that “heart” is in the middle of encouragement. So cool!
Janel–That’s great! I’m glad you had such a positive experience with it and can keep on submitting.
Dorte–I don’t think I’m a good critiquer, either. I can critique my own things pretty well, but it’s hard to do it for others.
Tara–I’ve done the same thing–put the papers away in a box. The phonetic spellings are so cute! But I never mentioned them to the kids..always told them what a great story it was. I’d love it if one of them took up writing at some point. Wishful thinking probably, though!
Elizabeth–Smart lady!
Hart–I think that was the mistake I made at first–asking “What do you think?” When people ask me to take a look at something now, I’ll ask what specifically they want me to look at. Otherwise…we’re so used to revising that mistakes leap off the page at us.
Totally agree with all of this. Well said.
Corra
from the desk of a writer
Karen–You’re right–the world itself is a rough place. We need those voices of encouragement around us!
Corra–Thanks!
Finding something good in every creation is a wonderful attitude to have–and it’s so true! My husband saw it in art school. Lots of demoralizing critiques from teachers but few words of encouragement. He used to take it on himself to point out the good in his classmates’ work.