by Heidi McCahan, @HeidiMcCahan
We’ve all been there. Maybe you’ve received harshly worded feedback from an anonymous judge in a reputable contest. Perhaps your critique partner’s suggestions have left you feeling discouraged. Or maybe you’ve finally finished your manuscript, but a lengthy editorial letter filled with requests for heavy revisions just landed in your inbox and now you’re wondering why you ever thought you could write a novel.
Receiving critical feedback is part of the professional writing life. To be honest, any opinion about our art and our creative process feels deeply personal. That’s why critical feedback can be detrimental. But here’s the thing. The intersection between art and commerce is a chaotic place. There are countless travelers moving in multiple directions. Critical voices and big loud opinions are echoing all around you. To get to your destination (a finished novel that’s ready for retail) you must learn to sift through the feedback, discard the junk, then take the valuable insights along on your next step in the writing journey.
Keep reading for 4 ways to handle critical feedback about your writing and use the experience to craft a novel readers can’t put down.
- Take a break. That may seem counterintuitive. It’s hard to move forward if you’re taking a break. But experience has proven that a little bit of distance from the project, especially if you’re feeling wounded, is super helpful. Set the project aside and process the feedback when you’re ready. Sometimes you need a day. Sometimes you need two or more. Deadlines permitting, give yourself space to try another creative outlet. Read a book. Watch a movie. Spend time with people you love. Once you’re in a place where you’re able to review the feedback, identify the constructive nuggets and discard the rest, then you can return to the project.
- Tackle the easy parts first. Don’t panic. There’s very little about the revising process that’s easy. However, most authors I’ve met say there is a point in the rewriting where their confidence blossoms. Eliminate overused words or correct that character’s name you mysteriously changed halfway through the story. Try nixing a few of the excessive fist pumps, glances and shrugs. These are examples of common areas where manuscripts often need work. Every writer has their own perception of which revisions take the most effort. Find the areas where you are strongest and make those adjustments first. This will help boost your confidence and provide the stamina you need to tackle the more tedious changes next.
- Evaluate your resources and consider phoning a friend. Now that you’ve made some headway and moved beyond anything harsh or overly critical that isn’t going to help you improve your manuscript, now it’s time to evaluate your resources. Is there a craft book in your personal library that will help you address some of the challenges you face regarding the revision process? Do you have a friend in the industry who is a few steps ahead of you on the journey? Perhaps they might offer some encouragement and help talk you through the next steps.
Consider attending an online course. There are so many affordable stellar options. Going back to the basics of plot and structure is nothing to be embarrassed about. We all have to review our protagonists’ goals, motivations, and conflicts as we’re rewriting. Even the most prolific authors have to revise dialog before submitting their final draft. Part of being a professional writer and learning and growing from critical feedback means recognizing areas where we have strengths and weaknesses.
- Put in the work. There are no shortcuts through the revising process. Remember, the goal is a complete polished manuscript that is eventually ready for retail. Yes, we are all human and sometimes encounter criticism that is harsh and comes from a place that isn’t healthy or helpful. but often feedback is accurate and worthy of further consideration. So don’t let your frustration derail your journey. Keep writing and rewriting. The finish line is just around the corner.
Sometimes it takes two good reasons
To give love a second chance…
The moment the sweet-faced twins arrive in Alaska, Eliana Madden is smitten. They almost make her forget that their father, Tate Adams, broke her heart. Now Eliana has agreed to help Tate take care of the twins for the summer. Could this be the start of healing the rift between their families…and the beginning of a new adventure for them all?
Heidi McCahan began dreaming up stories as a little girl. Now she writes uplifting inspirational romance novels set in small towns. Heidi is a huge fan of coffee, dark chocolate, and reading books with happy endings. She’s originally from Alaska but currently lives in North Carolina with her handsome husband, three amazing boys, and the world’s greatest goldendoodle. Heidi’s next book, The Twins’ Alaskan Adventure, releases June 2022.
Comments 1
Thank you for the practical words here, Heidi.