Writers Need Help To Polish The Apple

For those unaware, a beta reader is a non-professional who reads a novel before publication to give  the author feedback on various aspects of the book--plot, appeal, places where it drags, spelling and other mechanical errors. A novelist might choose several beta readers, send the manuscript, then sit back waiting for the responses and chewing fingernails while the betas read. They hope for cheers and Let's break out the champagne for this one kind of responses.

Critiquers are usually writers who are willing to give a fellow writer some constructive criticism and/or praise. Many writers, like me, join a writer's critique group to get help in polishing a piece of writing, to find out if it is worth pursuing, and more. I found out early on in my writing journey that while those 'atta girl' critiques inflate the ego a bit, the ones that rip your writing up one side and down the other are the critiques that are the most helpful. Sounds a bit masochistic, does it not? 

The main thing a writer must keep in mind is pointed out in our poster today. The criticism is not about you, the person. Instead, it is concerned with what you have written. Those words on the paper or screen that you hope will thrill others are exactly that--words. 

Some might argue that what we write is every bit 'us' the person. Even so, writers must learn that any criticism they receive, whether from those beta readers or professional writers who critique their work, is meant to help them grow as a writer. Both help by giving the writer another chance to revise and edit before submitting to a publisher. I would add a third word to 'revise and edit'--polish. 

Ever see photos of a child polishing an apple before handing it to the teacher? Sounds, of course, like a Norman Rockwell painting. That little girl or boy wants the apple to be special before giving it to the teacher. It's exactly how we should want to see our writing--polished and shining, as close to perfect as possible. 

Once we give our work to others to read and critique, we set ourselves up for more work. You know, deep down, that what you've written is not going to come back unmarked. But, isn't that what we should all want? To write and rewrite until we have a worthy piece of writing. One that shines like a polished apple!

What Kind Of Writing Group Do You Want?

Could these people be going to a Writer's Critique Group?

The people above are all reading something. Maybe they are reading a copy of something a person in their writing group sent ahead so that they could discuss it at the meeting itself. Writing groups operate in different ways. One is as stated here--send the story to the members earlier so they'll be ready with suggestions and comments when the meeting begins. 

Others bring the story to the meeting, hand out copies to everyone and then the writer reads the story aloud. Those listening can make notes in the margins as they listen and then be ready to make comments when the reader/writer finishes. Some people are reluctant to make negative remarks when they have to look the writer in the face while doing so. If a writer is there asking for a critique, he/she should be aware that there might be both negative and positive responses.If you cannot accept the negative responses, you probably should not be in the group. Sure, we all love to hear the good things but we need the others to help us make our writing publishable. 

In an online writing group like mine, we email our subs and hope that several members will read and critique the piece. There are definite advantages in this type of group. The members select the pieces they want to or are willing to critique. They do it when they have time but do try to get to a sub at least within a week. We can do our crits in our jammies. One disadvantage is that I might submit a story or poem and get no crits on it. I have to say that has never happened to me but it could. Another negative is not being able to talk to one another face to face. Our thank you to those who critique our work must be written and sent individually.

There are some writers who prefer a writing 'group' that is made up of only two people. You help me and I'll help you. That's the method here. It works well if both people are in agreement as to what kind of critique they would like to have. The disadvantage is that you get only one person's opinion. That may or may not be alright. 

I urge all writers to join some kind of critique group. It's one of the best ways to help you grow as a writer, to determine if your submission is worthy of publication or if it needs more work, and to gather marketing suggestions. 

Word of warning! If you find a group that does nothing but praise your work and never points out places that need work, I'd look for another group. They might make you feel good but they aren't truly helping you. 

Don't Take It Personally

When you ask for a critique on a story, essay, poem or whatever it is that you've slaved over until you felt it was picture perfect, you need to do so with the right attitude. First of all, remember that you asked for other eyes to peruse your story. Naturally, the hope is always there that the critiquer is going to tell you that the piece is wonderful as written, that it's ready to market. 

Nice dream, but it seldom happens that way. I've found that no matter how satisfied I am when I sub a piece, someone has a suggestion for something that can be added  or a section that might be eliminated. They suggest better wording here and there. They look at what I've written objectively.  

Once the critiquers have slashed through my story, I have some options. I can leave it exactly as it is. I can study all the crits I received (anywhere from one to several) and choose to make either some or all of the changes suggested. Key to seeing what needs changing is if several people point out the same problem area. Then, you can be certain that it needs work. 

If I ignore all the suggestions given, deciding that my way is the better way, I'm doing myself a disservice. As said above, I asked for assistance, and the critiques are meant to help me have a stronger story which will be more marketable than the original. 

I need to have my hard shell on, just like Mr. Turtle above. I need to let those remarks that might smart bounce right off. Any  negative comments made in a critique are not meant to hurt the writer, although when writers first start to receive critiques, that is often what happens. They take the criticism personally. Don't! It's not YOU they are criticizing. Instead, it's YOU they are helping. 

Accepting criticism of your golden words takes some practice. The longer you do it, the easier it becomes to accept. And remember this--critiquers also point out the things they like about your story. It's not all negative. A little attitude adjustment never hurts. 

How do you feel about putting your work up for critique? 

Tell It Like It Is

Carousel in Strasbourg, France

A critique from a fellow writer is an invaluable tool in helping to whip a story into a marketable piece. When I submit my work to my online writers group (writersandcritters), I expect to find out what is wrong with my story and also what is right.

I submit with the thought in mind that my fellow writers will give me a fair and honest opinion. When the crits start flowing in, I know that I'm going to get as many, or more, negatives than positives.

Does that bother me? Only a little. Nobody likes to hear negative statements about the precious words they've written. Hey, we're all human! But what good is a critique that doesn't show us what needs to be fixed? Have the right attitude here and you'll reap benefits, one of which will be that your writing is bound to improve. Another is that your story will have a better chance of being published.

Do I become defensive? No.  What earthly good will it do to get your hackles up? Who do you hurt but yourself? Back down a bit and absorb the help the critiquer is handing to you. Accept it gratefully. These critters are here to help you make your work the very best it can be. Don't forget that when you submit your work for critique, you're looking for the problems with the story. If it bothers you a lot, leave it alone for a few hours or a day, then go back and read it again when you're calmer.

Do I use the suggestions given to me? Some, but not all. I do change a great many of the areas that the critters point out to me as being weak or the wording. I don't do it only because they said so. I do it if and when I agree with them that the change will make the story stronger and more readable. Often, I marvel at a simple reversal or omission or addition that puts a whole new light on a section. Why did they see it and I didn't? I usually end up being grateful for the help.

When I am the critiquer, should I be honest? Yes, by all means, give your honest opinion. Tell the writer what you like but also point out the trouble spots. You can be honest without being cruel. If there is an area that is very poorly written, pinpoint it and give suggestions for fixing it. I usually add something in the initial paragraph of my critique about this being my opinion and end by telling the writer Take what you can use.


So, what does the carousel above have to do with all this? I used it because it is a happy memory picture and also because it goes round and round and gets nowhere. Value the critiques you receive, revise and rewrite your story, and send it to an editor. Don't let it ride the carousel going nowhere.

  

An Unusual Gift

Today is my birthday. The number of candles would set that cake ablaze if there were one for each year I've celebrated. I love birthdays, my own and other peoples' too. It's the most special day of the year, all your own. And who doesn't like to receive that extra bit of attention via cards, phone calls, emails, and even a few gifts.? 

It's an unusual gift that I'd like to tell you about today. I received it two days ago, but I considered it an early birthday present. A writer friend sent me a lengthy critique of a personal essay I'd submitted to my online writers group. She sent it to me privately, not through the group. She told me about all the things that were wrong with it and she backed up her thoughts with concrete reasons. 

It's true that no one likes to be shown where they went wrong, but when I receive a critique, I try to look at it in a positive way. I know that this critiquer is trying to help me make an essay about something dear to my heart as good as it can possibly be. It's one I hope to enter in a contest.

I read through the very lengthy email and decided it needed my undivided attention, so I closed it and went back to it the next morning. I read through it, paragraph by paragraph, trying to absorb the comments bit by bit. I realized several things when I finished. Mr friend is very insightful. She picked out little things that others who had critted this piece missed altogether. She backed up her criticisms with sound advice. She did it all with kindness and even paid me a much-appreciated compliment. 

I wrote to her almost in equal length as to what she'd sent me. I thanked her for putting me on a good revision path and told her that her compassionate, honest and helpful critique was most assuredly something I considered as an early birthday gift. Not all birthday presents are wrapped and tied with a pretty ribbon.

If you get a critique on a poem or story that points out a great many needed revisions, don't be upset. Be thrilled that someone is there to help you make a good piece of writing a much better one.