I’ve frequently been guilty of tunnel vision. I’m very Type A, and to me, staying the course sometimes means completing a project or train of thought.
You’ve sent me a Christmas card? You’re on my Christmas card list for life. I will continue sending you a card each year until I have proof of your demise in triplicate.
Change in schedule? I try to continue the original game plan for the day, while incorporating the change. In years past this meant carrying a squalling, unhappy toddler with me to lunch with a friend because someone eschewed naptime.
My first draft of my first book was the same way. Although I’ve never been a fan of outlines, I definitely had a plan for my book. I received well-meaning advice for my manuscript from first readers and a professional editor—but I was loath to take it. To me, it meant compromising my project. I wasn’t staying the course. And I felt the WIP was losing something that made it mine.
This inflexibility with editorial direction was, I now think, a sign of my immaturity…both as a writer and person.
At this point I’m open to both criticism and ideas. Bring them on! Usually even the toughest critique or harshest review has something useful I can take from it. Maybe it’s not something I can use for the current manuscript, but it might make a future book in the series stronger.
Tips for handling criticism and making it helpful:
Thank them for it. Even if I’m gritting my teeth, I’ll thank someone who criticizes my work in a non-nasty way. If they’ve taken the time to read my book or draft and think up ways to improve it, then they deserve some appreciation.
Don’t be defensive. When I’m defensive, I’m shutting down. I can’t be receptive to new ideas if I’m trying to defend something I wrote. And…it doesn’t really matter. Whether someone likes something I wrote or not isn’t up for debate. I don’t have any control over anyone else.
Consider the change. I write a quick version incorporating the advice and see if it’s better than I thought it would be.
Consider the essence of the criticism. Maybe there was a part that bothered your reader that they couldn’t exactly put their finger on. Perhaps they know there’s a problem with the protagonist, but they’re not a skilled enough reader to hone in on the exact nature of the problem. If a first reader says they didn’t like the character, find out why they didn’t. Was the character too static? Was the character whiny? Unbelievable?
Look for a second opinion. Have you got anyone else to read your draft? Did they stumble at the same spot? If not, ask them what they think of the criticism and whether or not it’s valid.
Is the criticism from your editor? Then…If my editor asks for the change? I just make it. For me, it’s always worked out better that way, even when I wasn’t jazzed about the change.
I’ve realized now that my books aren’t extensions of myself. They’re more of a collaborative effort—between me, my agent, my publisher, my readers…and even my critics. Once I came to that realization, it was all gravy.
Eish, that is a hard lesson to learn! Criticism is so needed–and difficult to hear at times. Your tips were great reminders of how to do it well!
Dealing with criticism is one of the most important skills a writer can learn – and one of the hardest things to learn to do. I like your suggestions for it, too. I think the thing that helps me the most is to not be defensive (i.e. be open to the change) and get criticism from more than one person, so as to distil the real essense of what works in my writing and what doesn’t. As you say, it doesn’t pay to have too much tunnel-vision when it comes to feedback and revision.
You left out the option where we yank the critiquer’s arm and beat them to a pulp with it. Was that tip #7?
No? Well, failing that, I guess I agree with what you said. Yup.
Happy holidays, good lady!
I like the ‘letting go’ feel of the phrase ‘collaborative effort’.
I’m Type A about nothing in life but literature/schoolwork/writing. Then I become focused.
I’ve been a part of a critiquing group for a while now, so third party comments on my writing don’t startle me too much.
I find I’m squeamish to offer feedback to other writers the more I read. I find my view is only a drop in the ocean of creativity, and I’ve a hard time getting past the notion I might steer a writer off-course. As a new reviewer I gave such concerns little thought.
I think it’s important in any review of our work to be open but discerning. A balance, that!
Very useful tips. I think your tips are something that rings true in all things we do in life, not just writing.
Having dealt with contests and critique groups, I’ve developed a way to deal with critical feedback from both sides. But it’s still painful when someone suggests your baby is ugly.
(And yeah, I’ve been working on my own blog post on this topic. You’ve GOT to get out of my head.)
Great tips. As for dealing with change, my husband is very Type A so I know what you mean.
I also like Simon’s recommendation!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
This is so very helpful, Elizabeth. I do not handle criticism well. I’ve gotten better over the years, but it’s still an issues. And of course, I’m my own harshest critic. Maybe I can apply your advice to my own criticisms.
Karen
Great advice as always, Elizabeth. It’s hard to share your work, and harder still to hear someone doesn’t like it. I’ve been lucky to have amazing crit partners.
Kristen–I think it’s the best way to improve. At least, the *quickest* way to improve.
Simon–Well, and that’s always a temptation, isn’t it? :) And sometimes critiquers or reviewers are just trying to be ugly, I think. Still…usually there’s some basis to their criticism.
Happy New Year to you, Simon!
Margot–I try to put some emotional distance between myself and the book. Otherwise, it’s too easy to take things personally.
Corra–Me too. I think I’m a lousy critiquer. I’m not sure why. It’s very difficult for me to come up with constructive criticism. But I’m good at taking it!
So true, Elizabeth, and only the writers who can mature to the point of taking critiques and editorial guidance will ever improve their craft. A few may become successful through clever marketing, but their work will always remain the same in terms of the craft.
Great post. All these things are difficult to learn. And harder to accept. I’ve always been pretty open, but it doesn’t mean I don’t bristle a bit when I first read through a critique.
Great tips! I always gain so much insight from you…
Accepting criticism easily is a skill. I think it’s especially hard when what’s being criticized is something you’ve created. It was you sweating away at the keyboard all those hours, not to mention the hours (or days, or months) you’ve had this idea and all its permeantations running through your brain.
It’s essential to be able to take a step back and realize not every word you’ve written is golden. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but a vital one.
Elspeth
I used to be like that too. I shunned every suggestion as irrelevant and uninsightful. Now, I take every suggestion and try and understand why they are giving it. It can sometimes make your writing better without you realizing it. Thinking outside of my box has created some of the best scenes in my books.
ann
Crystal–Thanks!
Mason–I appreciate that–thanks!
Ann–I think you’re right. Our readers bring different things to the table and getting different insights can really be valuable.
Terry–You and I are simpatico bloggers! That’s too funny. I’ll look forward to your insights on it.
I think you have offered some very solid suggestions here. Learning to listen and weed through criticisms and advice is an important part of the writing process as I discovered with my first book. In fact on the acknowledgements page I said, “An author writes a manuscript, but it takes the efforts of many people to mold that piece of work into a publishable novel.”
If you receive unpleasant criticism, sleep on it!
Like you, I was sure I knew best just a few years ago, but I have improved. I even think I have become better at judging which pieces of advice are useful and which ones I should certainly not follow. Some of my Danish writing course participants want short, fairly simple sentences and only words they know beforehand. I don´t use foreign words to show off, but I believe that a large vocabulary is important in order to express what you want to say in a precise and nuanced way. – or you use a specific vocabulary because that is the way one of your characters would speak.
When I first started writing, I loved the timbre of my book and remember those tempermental meltdowns about changes that needed to be made. Later another author friend informed me – nothing is set in stone. In the end if you at least have the original premise for your book, it’s all good. It’s not even about picking your battles, it’s more in the line of thinking what’s best for your book – not necessarily what’s best for you.
I admit it was a hard lesson to learn. I may be the author, but I needed to let my book tell the story. (Hugs)Indigo
Good post. I used to fight with my editor, but eventually it hit me that she was ALWAYS right, and if I just shut up and did what she asked the book would be better, lol. So now I’m a good little Old Silly and do like I’m told.
And yes, take criticisms to heart in commensurate proportion to the value of the source.
“Don’t be defensive” – that’s the one I had to work on. It wasn’t easy to get over, either. But if you’re going to ask for opinions, you have to be able to listen to them, then digest it all without getting an upset stomach.
Helen
Straight From Hel
If we are open to constructive criticism, it can make a big difference in our work!
I rewrote the ending of Book V of my series after a test reader said it was telegraphed too early, thus losing the element of surprise. I dumped the entire ending scene, rewrote a new one, and presto! Much better.
It’s hard to take criticism. You’ve made some great points here.
Over time, I’ve learned how to take criticism and realize it’s not personal.
Hope you had a Merry Christmas.
It’s most difficult, (in my experience), to avoid getting defensive, isn’t it? I think it’s paramount to only show your work to people qualified to give constructive criticism. For instance, if the person in question doesn’t read fiction, they probably aren’t a reliable source for gaining the sort of feedback a writer needs.
Great advice! I think I’m building up a thicker skin and dealing with criticism better. I agree it’s a sign of professionalism. Not that I don’t feel that twinge of losing my baby when I follow someone else’s suggestions, but collaborating with my husband has helped me to let go a bit better. I’m the same with Christmas cards though–I’ve sent one to an old friend for ten years without her sending one back, but I still do it :)
Yep – I’d add one tip – tell your readers what you are looking for in the way of feedback. I don’t want to hear about my grammar yet – so don’t tell me – I’ve not done my language edit. I will say – please check to see if the story flows, if you understand what is happening, if you are interested, if you like my characters or are at least affected by them. If I give them the manuscript and say – take as long as you like reading this and tell me anything that you think about it – well then I get what I deserve. One needs to set the boundaries for kindness in criticism and then be terribly open and vulnerable for what happens.
I think the most useful thing I learnt in 2009 is that when an editor makes suggestions they’re not refusing, but saying its not good enough YET. Its my job to go back to it and rework it until they tell me its good enough NOW. 2010 is revision time for me.
I belong to a critique group that is very supportive but does excellent in-depth critiques. I also have a very thorough editor. My skin is now as thick as a crocodile’s.
Michele–I’m getting better as I get older with the Type A thing. Sort of. ;)
Karen–I think I need to apply it to other areas of my life, too!
Jane –That’s a great way of looking at it.
Jemi–You ARE lucky! I’ve never lucked out that well with critiques. So now I’ve got my first readers, editor, agent…and reviewers.
Maryann –Marketing works wonders…for a little while!
Indigo –Well put! It’s what’s best for our book. And that’s all we should really care about.
Carol–It’s a good thing I read critiques and negative reviews in print. I’m sure if I heard them in person then I’d really be struggling.
Marvin–Too funny! I can just see you getting that realization.
Helen–Too many critiques might mean indigestion, though! :) There’s probably only so much we can take…
Elspeth–It really is hard. I’ve tried to just distance myself emotionally from the books. It’s not easy.
Diane–That reader must have been really skilled and specific! That’s a lot of work you did.
Carolyn–Thanks! I did have a good one and hope you did, too. You’re right about the criticism being hard to get used to.
Elizabeth–That’s definitely true. Occasionally I’ve had a reviewer or reader who doesn’t read mysteries. But then I do get some insight as to whether I’m reaching out enough to readers of other genres.
Jan–That’s a very good point. Sometimes we’re looking for content/global revisions, sometimes we need line editing. Otherwise we could be setting ourselves up for a problem.
Sally–Editors really NEED good manuscripts. And sometimes with just a little tweaking, we can give them what they want.
Lorel–I bet that a collaboration really would help you to be more accepting of change. I know a couple of authors who use your technique and it seems to work out great (Jim and Joyce Lavene, Cleo Coyle.)
I think your last tip is the most important…because we start our books all alone..it’s hard to remember that eventually, they will be a collaboritive effort. But with that in mind, it makes the criticism much easier.
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