Fall in Love with Criticism

Let’s raise our glasses to our true friends who can tell us that our participles are dangling and that our story is too soft. And let’s try to be the type of writers who are brave enough to accept and utilize criticism!–Nancy French

We humans are highly socialized to be tactful in what we say to others, and in turn, we expect others to consider our feelings when they speak. Of course this isn’t the type of world where such tiptoeing around always goes on, and sometimes we receive feedback that crushes our sensitivities. Moreover, writing/publishing isn’t a business in which people will respect our egos, and thank goodness, because if we want to improve as writers and submit until we sell, we have to be ready to listen to the advice we’re very unkindly (we think) being given.

I recently had a student turn all psycho on me because I wasn’t as delicate with my feedback as she had hoped. I honestly don’t know why she reacted the way she did since I didn’t think what I said was so terrible. At any rate, we soon made up as she actually did value the feedback I gave her—but she put limits on what I might say. Does that sound wise? Well, it’s not. I, myself, have spent years learning one thing or another, and one piece of wisdom I picked up is that if you want help from someone, you don’t block their delivery of it. You say thank you when they excoriate you, because a real teacher means to help and not to harm and has the knowledge you want to acquire.

Biting your tongue and accepting what’s said is the proper path, even when the teacher exaggerates or might (probably not) in this instance be wrong.

When the agent or editor returns a carefully thought-out page of suggestions, you don’t want to hiss like an angry feline and claw back. Consider yourself on the edge of opportunity and say, “Thank you. I’ll mull over your ideas.” And that’s what you say even if you never in a million years would do business with your idiot critiquer after that. Not simply because the person could be right and after you calm down, you might concede a few points, but also because this is a small, small business world, and reacting like a maniac will earn you a reputation you don’t want to carry around for the next 20 years.

Critique Partner, Beta Reader

Now does this extend to working with a critique partner? Good question, and the answer is sort of.

Some people like to work with a critique partner instead of paying for a class. Understandable. But do parners always have a depth of understanding as to what they’re looking at? Have they had years of reading and evaluating writing? Maybe not, but they may have genuine insights and can certainly be accessible (most of the time). However, that doesn’t mean you need to work with someone who seems abusive.

Again, screaming at the other person isn’t the answer, but if the feedback appears to be more punative than constructive time after time, maybe bowing out would be the best solution to the relationship. Also, the moment to leave may have come if you’re giving more in terms of time and thought than you’re receiving. You’ve broken up with other folks more than once in your life and probably have a white lie or two at hand to fit the occasion. “I’ve decided to…wash my hair. …go to Hawaii for the next six months…” And then you experience a wonderful emotional release as if you’ve just been freed from a maximum security cell.

Do you feel guilty? Did you do the wrong thing? Well, you can generally pick up another critique partner in a Facebook group who won’t be so…mean.

Similarly, a lot of authors like to use beta readers for their reaction to a novel or some piece of work. I sometimes recommend them to a student myself. Just the other day when I felt clueless as to what the student was going on about in his writing, I suggested he check with some beta readers and not let through his fight scenes until two readers gave him a thumbs up. “Keep rewriting and asking different people to read until two in a row say they understand. Of course they could be mistake or lying,” I said. I inserted a “I’m kidding” emoticon to lighten the mood.

But if you ask for a beta reading, be polite and say thank you and give some thoughtful response to their evaluation. The last time I read for a certain author, I told her that her (already edited) novel had a lot of errors. She neither said thanks nor did she express more than minimal concern. Do you think I would ever read for her again? Well, I guess her reaction let me off the hook.

So not only don’t complain about the criticism you receive, but always include the words, “Thanks for the feedback.” That’s not just a decent way to react but good practice for dealing with the all-important people in your publishing life, your agents and editors.

Whether you like what they have to say or not, do consider what everyone suggests. Don’t be stuck on your own point of view—nor immediately buy into what is being told you. Contemplate all advice and let it simmer until you make up your mind. Be judicious, not reactive. You don’t really know if you’re correct about your writing—or just frozen in a pattern that won’t take you where you want to go.

Practice listening to what others have to say. Slowly but surely, become aware of your writing limitations, take a little wise advice, and widen your scope while enlarging your chances of being published.