I just finished a critique of a writer's work. I get paid to do it, so I take it seriously — reading through the manuscript thoroughly, taking notes, point out what's working, and lastly pointing out areas that could be improved.
Once I'm finished writing the critique and it's ready to go out, it's extremely difficult to push the "send" button. I've gotten enough critiques of my own work to know that any critique, even ones you've paid for, are hard to receive. But if we're going to write for a mass audience, receive them we must.
Here's my humble advice for anyone getting tough feedback:
• Remember it's only one person's opinion. You don't have to agree with it.
• If the critique makes you mad, let yourself get mad. But then get down to business and see if any of it is worth considering.
• If it's overwhelming, put it aside for a while. Over the next few days, those points that resonated will probably surface.
• If something was confusing, feel free to ask the person critiquing to explain the point more fully.
• If all the critique is negative, ask the person to tell you what's working.
Critique is tough. We've all been there. As professional writers though we're going to hear critiques in one form or another for the rest of our careers. (Ask Stephen King.) We might as well get used to it now.
Di
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