Well, it’s contest time and with that, unpublished writers often get some sort of feedback.

Feedback we want. But often it’s harder to digest than we think.

So, what are you to do with input from readers, judges or critique partners?

Digest it.

Consider it.

Pray over it.

Reread it.

Chew up the meat and spit out the bones.

Not all feedback is good. You have to know that, right?

But how many of you immediately dismiss the good things said and focus on the negative things?

Yeah, I see those hands waving in cyberspace.

What is it about the human heart that automatically believes nice things said are just out of “politeness” while negative or critical things are true?

So, let’s fix that thinking.

Not all good things are true. But most are.

Not all negative things are true. And some are down right wrong. Some are blazingly true.

Either way, you have to take the input that works for you.

Typically, the feedback I’ve received over the years about some aspect of a story not working pinged with what I was already thinking or feeling.

Through eighteen manuscripts, there were times when my editor made suggestions about a story point I didn’t like.

Or, maybe she didn’t like something I did!

In those cases, I always stepped back and tried to see the story from her point of view.

Because if she didn’t like it or get it, I can guarantee another reader won’t get it or like it.

I always asked myself, “How can I change this to be more palatable without losing the soul of the story?”

And guess what, there was and is always a way.

When you get feedback from your story, even if it irks the you-know-what out of you, pause, step back, walk away, calm down, think and consider the “reviewer” may have a point.

If in the end you don’t agree, consider modifying the story element so that it has a wider appeal. Make sense?

If my editor says “Oh, I didn’t like when the heroine told off the hero like that,” but telling off the hero is critical to the scene, I find a way to temper the heroine’s voice.

Perhaps I go back a chapter and up the motivation for her reaction.

Sometimes our tense argument/fight scenes lack the proper motivation.

Either way, you have to do something with all the juicy feedback, right?

Here’s a quick list of how to respond to manuscript feedback:

1. Read it but don’t react to it. Just let it sink in for a few minutes.

2. Walk away, think about it, pray.

3. Remember sometimes contest judges are writers just like you, starting out, and often get tripped up on the “rules.” If you have a judge knocking you because you used the word “was” maybe disregard it. Was is a valid word.

4. If you disagree with some of the feedback, can you find a way to address what the critiquer might be saying? Is there a diamond in the rough?

5. I suggest disregarding all blanket feedback. “I didn’t like this story.” “The heroine was so unlikeable.” Or, “I didn’t get the setting.” Those would be helpful if the critique included why. So in general, don’t take those blanket statements to heart.

6. Talk to your writing partner or a friend to see if you can work through the feedback. If it’s overwhelming, just pick one or two items to work through.

7. Don’t get overly discouraged. This is a tough-skin business. But that’s why you don’t believe everything that’s said about your manuscript. 🙂

8. Get back to work. Don’t listen to discouragement and doubt. Keep writing.

9. Consider if this manuscript was just a learning process and it’s time to move on. It was your learning book and now that you’ve gained wisdom, experience and insight, and now you move on.

10. This biz is a journey. This manuscript is one of many. The Lord began this good work in you, let Him finish it.

Happy Writing!