Our Response to Criticism Decides Its Usefulness…

Everyone likes being told they did great at something, but, understandably, no one likes hearing they did a bad job. Receiving criticism on your writing is a task we all wish we could do without, but criticism from trusted beta readers and editors is how we make our writing the best it can be.

The word criticism gives us a negative connotation, but it is helpful to note criticism does not strictly mean fault finding. There are two definitions listed in my computer’s dictionary:

1. The expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes.

2. The analysis and judgment of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work.

Note “merits and faults” in definition number two. Healthy criticism is not meant to harp on the negative, but to give an analysis on both the positive and the negative components for the writer’s benefit. No longer should you feel disheartened by criticism, but accept and use it for your advantage.

If you are seeking critiques on your writing, here are some tips on receiving, sifting through, and using criticism to make your writing the best you can create.

Prepare to Accept Criticism

Before you even seek out criticism (or read what you have received), first prepare yourself mentally and emotionally: Know there will be something wrong with what you wrote.

Regardless of how much you have scrutinized each page, there will be something you missed. Whether it be a typo, plot hole, or even an underdeveloped character, there will be a mistake. This is no fault to yourself.

Working on your piece closely for a long time means you know it too well to see it from a fresh and objective point of view. A newcomer will be reading your work for the first time, and this allows them to notice what works and what doesn’t.

Accept there will be problems, remember criticism is supposed to help you, and know you can fix whatever comes your way.

Using Critiques for Your Advantage

Once you are prepared, give the critiques a read through. The first look at criticism is the hardest. Some comments you will completely agree with, but others will cause your defenses to rise in rejection.

Note in your mind your initial reaction to the comments, but do not make any judgments on them yet. Instead, step away and give yourself a few hours or a day and not think about the comments. Let your subconscious mull them over, but don’t obsess on the negative.

After some time has passed, go back to the critiques and read through them again. This time stop at each comment and give it an objective think through. Why was this part marked a problem? How would this make my work better? What can I do to fix this problem?

Often at this stage I find that some of the comments I initially rejected were good points that I needed to fix. This is why it is important to take time and not let emotions rule over your head.

If you have had more than one person give you feedback, now is the time to compare and contrast the critiques. Were there any places where more that one person spotted an issue? If so, that is probably a problem you need to fix.

You Can Reject Criticism

While I stress criticisms can be right even if your first reaction is bad, there may be some comments you can reject.

• If you’ve thought through a critique and it still doesn’t feel right to you, than you can reject it. You are the writer of your work, and, therefore, know what your works needs in the end.
• If, by chance, you have two contradicting critiques, it is your call to choose what is best for your work.
• And before you accept any criticism, be sure you are getting criticism from people you trust. If you do not trust a person will give you honest or good feedback, keep this in consideration while thinking over their critiques.

But before you discard any comment, be sure you are doing so with the right motives.

Here are two guidelines to check before making your decision:

1. Never discard a critique without thinking it through.

2. Don’t reject a comment out of pride, only from your knowledge of writing and your individual work.

Always be smart about who you accept criticism from, and what criticism you accept. Much of it will most likely be true, but rejection is a decision you hold.

The Goal of Criticism

The hardest thing about receiving criticism is it often feels like a personal assault. So remember, the goal of criticism is to make your writing the best it can be. When the focus of criticism becomes making your story better, it becomes easier to identify what needs to change and what should stay the same.