There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.~Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith
Our writing, we hope, is the very best of us. Our best words and thoughts strung together melodiously -- and when we publish it online or in a book or even in an email -- we've attached a metaphorical megaphone. The words fly through the air, through cyberspace and rearrange themselves in the eye, ear and mind of the reader, the listener.
And we, the writers, hold our collective breaths.
Because even if we're not writing about ourselves, our writing is of ourselves. We write our own truths, be they for actual or fictional characters. Even if we would never do what our character would do, or believe what she would believe, it is her truth, and that makes it true.
The worst feedback I've gotten on my writing is the one that says "Great job." But then? Anything that starts with "Nothing personal but..."
Face it folks, it's all personal.
So, don't be tellin' me that what I say is wrong. Please just tell me that the way I am telling it might be wrong for you.
If something doesn't ring true, say it doesn't ring true for you. Don't say it could never be, say it's not believable to you.
And then tell me something good, even if it's the use of a great name for a secondary character or choice of font. That will help me balance it all -- and remember that it's not personal.
Even though it is.
2 comments:
This is one of my favorite quotes about writing! People are usually a bit put off by it, probably because it seems a bit violent, too serious. What a lot of people don't realize, I think, is that, if you've chosen writing as your vocation, it really is that serious and necessary.
Writing is obviously incredibly personal, which I've found especially through writing classes. While criticism can definitely sting, the worst is when people are too tentative, almost afraid to say anything remotely negative.
Hmmm...yes, the other day I got feedback on the first section of my book only to hear that it was too choppy and out of order. Was it true?
Ummm...yes, but initially it was hard for me to take because somewhere in me must have already suspected it and the thought of having to revamp that entire section (although only 10 pages) seemed daunting at that moment. I waited a few hours before re-reading the suggestions and the TRUTH in it rung clear. It didn't sting as much when I realized that not only were they right, they were giving me a solution.
So bring it on. Help make my book better.
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