Over the years I have posted blogs about treating every critique like a gift. Whether or not I agree with the critique, the reader took the time to read my manuscript and give feedback. That deserves gratitude, not argument. It took me years to train myself to put this understanding into action. It is a knee jerk response that, when my book baby is threatened, I must defend it.
Here's the thing: if I have to explain why I did x, y, or z to the reader, then it wasn't well done. I won't have the opportunity to pop my head in to where my reader confused by my creative decision and explain that the scene is an example of my heroine as an unreliable narrator. Beside that being super creepy behavior on my part, it is just evidence of bad writing.
Ergo: Critique = Thank you.
But now I'm at that next stage and have an editor (insert little happy dance here).
I'll be getting my first round of content edits within the week and that could mean ANYTHING. I hope my critique=thank you training will come in handy but, more than that, I hope I can be an educated, professional adult with enough sense of self to make this experience a rational one and not take anything personally. Ultimately, any perceived criticism will be coming from the shared goal to make my book successful.
So bring it on, awesome editor, I can take it like a reasonable person and not be crazy. I think. I hope.
Here's the thing: if I have to explain why I did x, y, or z to the reader, then it wasn't well done. I won't have the opportunity to pop my head in to where my reader confused by my creative decision and explain that the scene is an example of my heroine as an unreliable narrator. Beside that being super creepy behavior on my part, it is just evidence of bad writing.
Ergo: Critique = Thank you.
But now I'm at that next stage and have an editor (insert little happy dance here).
I'll be getting my first round of content edits within the week and that could mean ANYTHING. I hope my critique=thank you training will come in handy but, more than that, I hope I can be an educated, professional adult with enough sense of self to make this experience a rational one and not take anything personally. Ultimately, any perceived criticism will be coming from the shared goal to make my book successful.
So bring it on, awesome editor, I can take it like a reasonable person and not be crazy. I think. I hope.
2 comments:
I love editors. They taught me sooooo much!
Word of advice, though. When you get the edited ms back, just read it and let the notes sit for a day before doing any changes. Gotta calm that ego down before you can rationalize.
Excellent advice. Thank you! :)
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