Personally, I love criticism. I’m greedy for it. I know how hard it is to find someone who can give honest, constructive criticism – criticism that makes you suddenly see the wood from the trees, makes you realize that what you were never quite happy with is just not good enough, and can ask questions in ways that leads you to answers you didn’t know you were looking for.
As writers, we’re standing inside our stories, so it’s difficult to know how they look from the outside. As Kathy Lowinger says, ‘Get your work read because you can’t see yourself dance’. An outside perspective can be invaluable – and offers insights that you wouldn’t get otherwise.But - having been a member of many writing groups, and a teacher of many creative writing courses, I also know how damaging criticism can be. I come across students who are afraid to read their work in case they receive a negative comment that makes them want to give up (and in this case, I tell them, ‘don’t read’). I come across people who were criticised as children for their creative efforts and were told they were ‘making a mess’ or weren’t ‘doing it properly’ . Needless to say, they haven't tried it since. And I come across writers who want to offer up their work for criticism, but only want positive feedback and defend their work against the slightest criticism.
So I suppose I have concluded the following: - A writer shouldn’t share their work until they’re ready for criticism and can take it or leave it without being mortally wounded. This is usually possible only after some time has elapsed after writing it.
- A writer should say ‘thanks’ for the feedback they receive, and nothing more. Then they can go home and decide what to do with it. If a writer tries to defend their work, the people giving feedback will quickly stop bothering.
- When giving criticism, try and restrict it to the one or two main issues – don’t go on and on.
- Try and give other writers the feedback that they are ready for. We can’t judge everyone by the same yardstick – and when I think back to what my writing was like when I first started, I cringe. By working to our strengths and strengthening the positives, the negatives often fall away all by themselves
- But even when giving feedback to experienced writers, don’t forget the positives. We all like being reminded of what we do well. It makes us want to carry on.
What's your experience of writers' groups? Have I forgotten anything?
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A friend of mine has the beginning of a novel completed and asked me when it’s a good time to get feedback on his work. Would it be best to have friends read it mid-project to make sure he’s on the right track? Or should he wait to finish the draft?
There isn’t a simple answer to this question.
Sometimes getting feedback too early can completely derail the momentum of a project. Critical voices can get in the head of a writer, diluting the initial idea that drew them to the work. On the other hand it could be inspirational and help generate ideas. Feedback could get a writer through a road block on a project, or help him to focus an unwieldy story.
For me, writing a first draft requires boundaries. My first drafts are about figuring out what my subconscious has to say. I need room to explore, play, and not worry about craft yet. After I have a first draft, I begin to craft plot, tone, voice, etc., and figure out what the novel really wants to be. However, that is my process. I’ve met lots of writers who have a strong grip on their novel and what it is from word one. Some writers can be ready earlier to get feedback on tone, pacing, character, plot, etc.
So, how do you decide when it’s right to get feedback on your work?
Think about your current WIP and ask yourself:
1) How many “fresh eyes” do you have at your disposal? Eventually you will run out of readers who’ve never read an earlier draft of your book. You may want to hold off till you have a draft you feel is worth using up those “fresh eyes” on.
2) How many voices can you deal with in your head at once? Are you at a point in your work where you are ready to hear feedback? How will you react if that feedback challenges your choices? Do you think if someone said the beginning isn’t working that it would be helpful, or would it hinder your forward momentum? Be honest, are you stuck in the sticky-middle and looking for an excuse to start again?
3) Are you stuck and need some feedback to help you get back on track? Do you need others to help you brainstorm? Are you in a place where you’re open to suggestions and that dialog excites you? This can be the perfect reason to get some feedback early.
4) What are you looking for from feedback? Encouragement? A cheerleader? Constructive criticism? Brainstorming? Line editing? Let your readers know what you’re expectations are.
Also, if you’re only at the opening of your novel (like my friend), remember that once you get to the end of your book you will most likely re-write the beginning. So consider the fact that if you’re getting feedback on the opening of your novel – and you don’t have an ending yet – that feedback may be moot later.
Ultimately, this is up to you and how you incorporate feedback during your writing process. If you can use it and still hold on to the heart and integrity of your own work — then go for it. Just be honest with yourself and figure out why you feel like you want feedback right now. Is it a self-sabotage tool to distract you from the writing at hand, or do you genuinely think it’s time to receive feedback and incorporate it into the work? Only you know what will best help the development of your project.
Since my writing pays the electric bill(and all the other bills)I’m not a big fan of writing for free. Instead of working on a free project my time is better spent searching for the job that does pay. But occasionally a project comes along that even I can’t resist. Several months ago a member of my writer’s group told us about a family that had recently lost their son. They wanted to know if our group could write a children’s book for them, a sort of memorial. We were given some details: his name, the names a few of his friends and his dog. They also had a plot in mind. Ever since he was a little boy he had wanted to build houses. They wanted the story to be about a little boy watching a house being built and what all the different workers did to create the house.
It sounded sweet but I had work lined up, a novel to finish, children to raise. I had no time for free work. Not to mention I had never published a children’s story. Was I really the best writer for the job? But I couldn’t resist. I found myself volunteering to complete the electrician section since I just happened to be married to an electrician who spent many years doing “new construction”. So I wrote my short section(with the help of my in house expert) and submitted it to our editor.
After several months of pestering, the editor managed to collect all the book’s sections from various writers. We received our first drafts back with a few notations and then disaster struck. The editor received a huge paying job and couldn’t continue. The project would have to be abandoned unless someone else took over. Again, I had some experience with editing but no experience editing children’s books. But again, there I was raising my hand. After all, I did have my in house expert to help correct any factual errors made by a bunch of non-house building writers.
It took just a couple of “breakfast meetings” with my hubby/expert to iron out any mistakes and a bit more time to ensure that the sections written by different writers were all consistent. Truthfully, the original editor had done all the heavy editing(not to mention the tough job of corralling a handful of writers and convincing them to meet deadlines). Now the manuscript is with the family and we’re all hoping to hear their reaction at our writer’s group meeting this month.
Sure, my bank account would be in better shape if I had used that time on paying work. But in a world where I spend much of my time on boring but profitable assignments this book made me excited about writing. It also gave me the opportunity to branch out into writing specialties I don’t usually delve into: children’s writing and editing. Maybe I am a fan of writing for free. Sometimes!
Do you ever write for free? What do you write and who do you write it for?
You can get updates about the children’s book Jodi contributed to at her blog Words by Webb. Stop by for her book giveaways also. This week she’s giving away Bill Bryson’s At Home.
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My CPs are involved from the first chapter. I’m a pragmatist and hate to write unnecessary scenes, so I need to know early if something isn’t working. Luckily, my CPs are awesome!
I’ve been asking myself this question lately. I’m close to the end of this round of edits on my WIP and I think I’ll be ready to share when I finish this draft. You make a great point when you ask how many fresh eyes I have to read my draft, because I don’t have many. I’m glad I’ve waited this long. Though that may have been more out of fear and just not feeling ready yet, but I’m getting there …
Good post, thanks!