by James Scott Bell
@jamesscottbell
Recently, I was the subject of a silent auction at a writers conference. The item was a detailed critique of the first 3k words of a novel. The winner sent me her pages and I spent considerable time with comments, suggested edits, and ways to improve.
You never know how someone will take constructive criticism. In my email, I told her not to get discouraged, and that early on in my career I had a brilliant editor who was known for his lengthy, single-spaced editorial letters. Whenever I got one of these I placed it, unopened, on the corner of my desk, and circled around it for a couple of days. I knew there would be ample work to do.
And every time I did the work I came out a better writer.
So when I didn’t hear back from this writer, I wondered if I’d discouraged her. I was about to write her a follow-up email when hers arrived. It read:
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Your notes throughout provide me with so much I can improve upon. I will keep at it! I am so thankful for you. Thank you for your time spent!
I wrote back and told her, “Now that is the response of a true writer.” Because to my mind, a true writer wants to get better and sees criticism not as an assault but as an ally. That’s the value of a trusted editor or beta reader (see Brother Gilstrap’s recent post and my comment therein).
Of course, not all criticism is constructive; indeed, these days, it’s likely not criticism at all—it’s an eruption of bile directed at the author for some insular and dyspeptic reason. These diatribes are not offered to help a writer, but rather to make the writer feel like this:
I’ve never learned anything from a nasty, negative review. So I don’t read them. (I’ll read good reviews from time to time as a little shot in the arm, perhaps not the best metaphor these days, but there you are.)
Writers worth their salt (an idiom that goes back to how ancient Roman soldiers were paid) seek feedback on a manuscript. Not just to catch obvious errors, which we all make, but to spotlight areas for improvement. It’s up to the author what to do with those notes.
A few suggestions:
1. Find good feedbackers. We’ve talked about editors and beta readers a lot here at TKZ. How to find the good ones is a matter of research, trial, and culling. There are many experienced freelance editors out there. Check their background and client lists. I’ve heard good things about Reedsy. Try gathering some beta readers and cull the list to settle on one or two of the best. When you have those, shoot them some moolah for future critiques.
2. Be objective. To the extent you can, look at the suggestions as if you were a disinterested third party. Some things are worth fighting for, but not if you have a chip on your shoulder.
3. Listen, but remain true to your vision. There’s a famous story about Bennett Cerf, a legendary editor for Random House, suggesting edits to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. She took a puff on her cigarette and said, “You would not cut zee Bible, would you?” No shrinking violet, Ayn. She won, and Atlas Shrugged still sells tens of thousands of copies a year. When you reach that level, maybe you can say the same thing. Until then, listen, assess, use what is helpful while, at the same time, keep the vision of your book intact.
You’re in this to write books not just for yourself, but in hopes of connecting with readers and turning those readers into fans. If you want to write just for yourself or, heaven forfend, let AI write for you, and throw stuff out there to see if anything sticks, well, it’s not illegal, just ill informed, ill fated, and will probably make most readers ill, too.
But if you want to keep getting better at your craft, form a plan to get helpful criticism. And ignore angry people with a shoe in their hand.
Agree or disagree? Have at it in the comments.
Good advice, as always. I confess that in my pre-coffee state I misread your sage advice: Until then, listen, assess, use what is helpful while, at the same time, keep the vision of your book intact.
I thought you were addressing your audience as asses.
Happy Sunday.
Yes, Terry, one letter makes all the difference, as in this recent post:
Nurses were training to keep their kills up.
🙂
was that an intentional typo, JSB?
On Dasher….
Fixed it.
🙂
Thanks for this, Jim. Critique is our friend. Sometimes it hurts but honest feedback has saved my bacon many times.
When suggestions really sting, I set the critique aside for a day or two. When I look at it again, by golly, 99 times out of 100, the critiquer is spot on.
Finding a good critique group and/or beta readers is like finding a gold mine.
I like bacon, too, Debbie, especially when it’s mine and is saved.
I think your third suggestion is vital. Yes, listen to all comments from readers and consider them, but you have the final decision.
Always, MC.
Excellent advice. Critiques and beta readers have been essential in helping me improve as well as improve particular stories and books. I also agree that, in the end, you have the final decision on whether there’s an issue or not. My advice, think on the feedback. If it resonates, act on it.
Love that word, Dale. Resonance. That’s an inner feeling, a marriage of art and craft, and the sound it makes in your heart.
Two beta readers I highly respect (and pay for) took my latest thriller, Domicile 41, through the mill. Eleven pages of critique from one, seven from the other. GOLD!
I had to fill a few plot holes and swallow one assessment that stung–one-dimensional characters. What? Moi? But her fresh viewpoint told true, and I went to work. Another observation in particular caused me to insert a whole new chapter, which was fun to do and germane to the development of a relationship.
Every point you make, Jim, is critical to getting a polished result before the eyes of readers who may not be well-versed in plot critique but know a good or bad book when they see it and rate accordingly. We must put aside pride and personal attachment and listen to readers who care enough to tell it as it is.
Thanks for bringing this to the forefront.
So well said, Dan. I agree with every word. Readers DO know a good book when they read it, even if they can’t articulate in detail why that is so. Same with a bad book, though they are likely to be more specific in their reviews.
Until then, listen, assess, use what is helpful while, at the same time, keep the vision of your book intact.
I like that, really like that.
It applies to lots of other stuff in this thing we call life on planet earth, too. Our children need to hear that their vision of how they want to live their lives should be critiqued by the adults who love them and want the best for them–but in the end, it’s their life. I always try to remember to tell them, “Go forth and conquer!”
🙂
Happy Sunday!
Indeed, Deb. Reminds me of the Whitman line that is the basis of one of my favorite Bette Davis movies, Now Voyager.
Now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find.
One thing I sometimes wrestle with is getting people to give good honest constructive feedback. I encourage people to be open and forthright in their feedback, that they won’t hurt my feelings, but sometimes I feel like they’re holding back because they want to be nice. I’m glad I know so many nice people but I truly do want them to feel free to make any suggestions they feel are appropriate. I suppose sometimes I could be reading too much into it because I’m my own worst critic, but I do genuinely feel sometimes critiquers hold back.
And of course, I’ve also experienced times when people have critiqued based on what THEY want the story to be, rather than my vision for the story. Yes, I need to listen to critiques to make the story better, but there’s a dividing line between improving the story and letting go of my vision for it.
But overall, I’ve been fortunate to receive good feedback, not unconstructive. And I continue to learn to discern what is good/useful feedback for my story and what isn’t.
Knowing what to take and what to reject is itself a craft, I think. You get better at it the more you go through the process.
Great tips, Jim. The first “feedbacker” for my books is my dev editor, and her critiques can be severe, but they’re pure gold to me. She’s made me a better writer. My line editor and beta readers (including my husband) refine the work further.
The ability to take constructive criticism is important in many areas of life, not just writing. I mentioned Proverbs 9:8 in my comment on John Gilstrap’s post. Here it is again:
“Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”
I’m done with scoffers, of all stripes, Kay. Life’s too short!
Years ago, I bought a critique from an agent at a charity event. Her “critique” was sending me a generic rejection letter. The author who sponsored the event and I were not amused.
Absolutely unprofessional.
I’ve never met an edit suggestion from my publisher I didn’t like…eventually. I also have great editors who have saved my bacon with every book. And I was line Terry and had to read that line again—I’m reading the post just after a nap.
…eventually.
I can relate!
Early in my unpublished career, I bid on (and won) a manuscript critique by Jerry Healy. (i was so enthralled I could barely approach him afterward.) He was kind but unstinting in his critique of what became our first published novel. (After a lot of rewrites). I will never ever forget his generosity in taking the time to steer a novice in the right direction. We here at TKZ do many First Page critiques and when I get one, I always fret a bit about what the reception might be. (Have had my share of “Yeah but…” responses). But gawd, isn’t it great to get a response from, as you say, a real writer. P.S. Jerry gave us a nice blurb and we went on to become fast friends. I miss him.
Great story, Kristy. Healy was a real pro and what luck to have that critique at that stage.
I received a very negative review from one of my beta readers and I appreciated it. The comments helped me improve the story before it went out. Thanks for your article.