I’m on a roll, folks.
Last week’s experiment in writing was Edit This Bucko!, this week I work from the author’s side, specifically when you’re getting feedback on your work.
I wrote about critique groups and I haven’t seen enough change in how such groups operate to convince me I need to update things too much.
Many writers, both newbie and experienced, don’t do well with feedback when it’s negative.
Neither would I, except I have filters in place. The big one is “shoot the messenger, hear the message” because I’ve seen too many people wanting to score points rather than help a fellow writer improve their craft.
Writers throughout the spectrum tend to be vulnerable when putting their work out. Get enough rejections, you either grow a selective skin or give up.
Go with the selective skin option. Keep at it. There’s an audience out there somewhere. It’s like marketing. You have to go find it.
By the way, when you do make a sale, study the accepting market. What kind of readers do they draw? They accepted your work, maybe their readership will, too.
Back to feedback on your work. Listen. Pay attention. Separate the wheat from the not-wheat. Is the comment valid? Is there something valid in the comment?
Listen to others’ comments about your work. Some will be spot on, some will be spot off, some will have nothing to do with your work per se except you’ve triggered something in the reader, some will just be the person realizing they’re on center stage and making the most of it (at your expense).
Still, listen. Listen from what’s at the core of the comment. That’s where the gold, if any, exists.
And the moment you begin explaining something in your story, the instant you start defending your story, stop because you’re really agreeing that yes, by golly, the story’s got a problem right where the other person said it is.
May have nothing to do with what they’re going on about.
Doesn’t matter.
Fix it.
Remember, people defend where they know they’re weakest.
Are you defending your work?
Then you know it’s weak.
Enjoy.
Think I’m onto something? Take a class with me, schedule a critique of your work, or buy me a coffee.
Think I’m an idiot? Let me know in a comment.
Either way, we’ll both learn something.
Get copies of my books because it’s a nice thing to do, you care, you can follow along, and I need the money. My latest is my trauma recovery fantasy Chrysalis.
Wilderness House Literary Review EIC Steve Glines and I (Senior Fiction Editor) hold monthly open chats with authors interested in a) writing for us, b) improving their craft in general, and/or c) increasing their chances of being accepted by other markets.
Meetings are held via Zoom on the last Friday of each month from 9-10amET.
So, want to know how to write for us? Want to know what gets our attention? Want to know how to write better for whatever market you’re interested in? Join us for our next “Meet the Editors” Zoom session. Seats limited! Sign up and talk with us. We’re relatively easy going and fun to be with.
Last item, finding these experiments useful? Strengthen my ego and link/friend/follow me.
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