Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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A Word on Receiving a Critique

11 Comments

Reading through a critique can be hard. I know. It’s hard for me, too!

You’ve worked months, maybe years, on a piece of writing you love, and hearing it needs improvement might be painful. I’m excited every time my editor sends along a critique letter, but I’m also nervous. She points out parts of the story I’ve already sensed might need to be changed and things I had no idea weren’t working. Sometimes I laugh out loud, realizing what she’s taken from my writing doesn’t match up at all with what I thought I’d communicated. By the time I’m two-thirds through the letter, my mind has shut down. It’s just too much information to take in all at once.

There are familiar feelings I go through, too. Embarrassment is a typical one. I sometimes feel like all my weaknesses have been exposed — weaknesses I knew I had and some I had no idea about! Overwhelm is another. Now that I see just how much work the story needs, how in the world am I to do it? Why doesn’t the letter also come with a magic wand?

After my first read through, I set the letter aside. I usually take the dog for a walk and let my thoughts both wander and rest. As I go throughout the day, I don’t actively work on the suggestions I’ve read, but I’m processing them just the same. By the time I come back to the letter the next day, I realize I’ve internalized some of the recommendations. They no longer feel new and surprising. Even if I don’t know how to fix things yet, my editor’s advice is starting to make sense.

Entrusting your work to someone else is both risky and brave. I hope you’ll be able to see a critique in the light it was written — not as a malicious attempt to make you look bad, but as an effort to help you improve your work. And remember: what you’re reading is one person’s opinion. As the writer, you always get the final say.

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Filed Under: encouragement, the writing life

Comments

  1. Lois Swagerty says

    August 13, 2017 at 4:10 am

    Thanks for this, Carrie. I also sent it to another author friend who is receiving her first round of edits.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      August 17, 2017 at 7:46 am

      Glad to hear it might be of help!

      Reply
  2. Kimberley Griffiths Little says

    August 13, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    You’re post is spot on. Embarrassment, feeling exposed, and feeling overwhelmed are the three most powerful reactions to an edit letter. Even when there are lots of nice things said. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kimberley Griffiths Little says

      August 13, 2017 at 7:47 pm

      I do know how to use “your” and “you’re”. Typing too fast. Now I’m embarrassed. See above! LOL!

      Reply
      • Caroline Rose says

        August 14, 2017 at 7:42 am

        This made me smile, Kim. I miss you!

        Reply
        • Kimberley Griffiths Little says

          August 14, 2017 at 9:30 am

          Miss you, too! I’d hoped to attend the Shop Talk last week, but alas, my deadlines are insane. I haven’t been to one in 6 months, and usually I never miss!

          Reply
          • Caroline Rose says

            August 14, 2017 at 10:08 am

            Next month. We’ll make it happen. xo

            Reply
  3. Jessica Lawson says

    August 17, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    I relate so much to this. Every time I get an editorial letter, it’s the same~ first, before I open it, I put myself back in my querying days where any agent/editor feedback was a miraculous gift to be treasured (as it still is!) and I try to center myself with gratitude~ someone read what I wrote! That’s pretty cool. Then I open and read through. I don’t start any kind of revision for three days. That’s about how long I usually need to absorb and reassess and consider my revision approach.

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      August 18, 2017 at 7:21 am

      I love this reminder of gratitude and taking a moment to mentally prepare before reading. I’m going to apply this to my next letter. Thanks, Jessica.

      Reply
  4. Margaret Simon says

    June 7, 2019 at 3:25 pm

    This is a timely post. Ha! I did exactly as you say here. I let it all sit for a while before doing edits. I’ve dealt with the little ones, like word choice, but need to really focus and think for the bigger ideas. Thanks for your advice and being such a willing critic. Not everyone is as nice as you are. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Caroline says

      June 7, 2019 at 4:00 pm

      That’s one of the many great things about revision. You can start anywhere you choose. You’re so welcome, Margaret. I’ve enjoyed reading your work!

      Reply

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