How to Handle Criticism
by Nadine Laman
Author of the Kathryn’s Beach trilogy
I BETA read for other writers, but not so much anymore as time is a factor. Beta reading is not editing. However, sometimes while beta reading there are things that glare so much that even I can see them. What I’ve noticed (often) is that the beginning writer has given me the first draft to beta read, which I did for free. It takes hours of reading, note making, and writing examples of what I mean. Rather than ‘thank you,’ I get a phone call or email from the writer explaining, defending, and/or arguing most points.
First of all, if the writing isn’t clear, the writer can’t call or email each reader and explain what they meant. The three best editors in the world can’t work their magic until the writer is ready to let go of their ‘perfect FIRST draft’ and turn it into a perfect final draft.
I understand the first timer’s fear that the editor will change the writer’s unique voice, they won’t. What they will do is enhance it, clean out the inconsistencies, and make it clearer (in addition to all the other things editors do). But no one can do that if the writer will not allow changes.
The first step in finding an editor is to be ready (emotionally) to have your work edited.
Then you are ready to hire the best editor you can afford.
Nadine Laman is the author of the Kathryn’s Beach trilogy.
She can be contacted on her website Nadine Laman Books
Tags: clarity, Editors, handling criticism, writers fear
Entries (RSS)
Entries (RSS)
March 31st, 2009 at 7:45 am
It’s been my experience that many first-time authors who aren’t members of a workshop tend to be rather thin-skinned. For us at AKW Books, an author who welcomes criticism (and who can actually write) is a gem worth polishing. We’ll actually go to the trouble of helping that writer polish his/her mss. The argumentative ones get their walking papers (rejection “slip”).
Your comments drive this home beautifully.