Blogger: Rachel Kent
A few years back, I met with an author during a conference to listen to a pitch. Based on the short introduction to the manuscript, I had a few words of advice on how the author could change up the project to make it more relevant for the market. The suggested changes were not big, and I was just trying to be helpful. The author did not take this feedback well and told me that if I didn’t like the book it was okay because it was out with other agents anyway.
I do believe that sometimes one agent is just not the right person to represent a project, but to reject constructive feedback from a publishing professional is not a good move. As an author, you want to be a sponge, soaking up all the helpful information you can on your journey to publication. Now, it is good to take feedback with a grain of salt, but being gracious and receptive when advice is offered is always wise.
The agents of Books & Such often ask for an author to rework a bit of a proposal or manuscript before we offer representation to an author to see if he/she is receptive to our feedback. It’s very hard to work with someone who isn’t open to making changes that we believe will strengthen the project before we send it out to publishing houses. When an author is receptive to making changes, it shows us that he/she will work well with an editor at a publishing house, too.
On a scale of 1-10 (with one being “I’m terrible at it.” and 10 being “I am perfectly receptive to feedback.”), how would you rate your willingness to accept feedback at this time?
What is the hardest part about getting feedback or a critique for you?
A Writer’s Blind Auditions
Great topic, Rachel. As time passes, I creep upwards on the scale. Early in my writing journey, I bristled at suggestions; I wanted to hear what a great writer I was. I now know how great a writer I wasn’t. That’s the big picture. Thank-you to all the teachers, writers and critique partners who moved my needle.
I creep up the scale in the moment, too. I’m part of an on-line critique group, and I read my colleagues’ comments knowing my first reaction will be defensive (“you’re wrong, my words are perfect!”), followed by the slow realization my friends are right–there’s room for improvement. My goal is to squish that defensive moment into an ever-shorter timespan, until it completely disappears.
I’m so with you, Shirlee. And Rachel, I think the hardest part is trying to see another path. I appreciate when my crit group offers different ways I could take my manuscript. It was so hard at first, I think because I couldn’t help feeling like a failure somehow, but now, my mind is expanding to do whatever to make my work better. I enjoy brainstorming with other writers.
I bristle if even for a moment and I’ve been editing and getting feedback on one WIP for 6 years now. Then I look at what the intent of the comment is and find my own way to use it. I will ocassionally disregard comments from a beta or two but that’s if it’s a one off and no one else has pointed it out. (Though I’ll often run them past my editor. Yes I use a freelance editor.)
While no one enjoys bathing in criticism, I try to be very open to it, not only from publishing professionals, but even from my readers. Feedback from alpha/beta readers can be tremendously valuable. What I believe to be a perfectly crafted sentence can be completely confusing or even misleading to the end-reader.
And rejecting advice from publishing experts? For shame!
Just last week, I changed the subtitle to my current manuscript on the advice of a literary agent. She explained her reason for the suggested change, and she was correct. I like my subtitle better, and she does as well, but there was a logic inherent in her suggestion, and we both knew it.
Suck it up and take the advice of the pros.
Do you really ask for changes
to this work of perfect form?
Are you unaware of dangers,
fiddling with what’s Heaven-born?
Every word’s Divine-inspired
as I listen to my Master’s voice;
how can changes be required?
Alteration’s not a choice!
I don’t want to be a problem,
though I fear it’s what I seem,
but if I edit, well, what then?
Will you tinker with St. Augustine?
Thus, no changes, let’s not risk hell…
wait, did you say they’d help it sell?
Love this, Andrew. Don’t change a word!
Thank you so much, Elissa! I’m delighted that you enjoyed it.
I like receiving feedback on my writing. Whether my blog or story, feedback helps me grow as a writer. My Word Weavers Charleston group is wonderful. The encouragement and support we give each other is very special.
Absolutely a 10 on receiving feedback! None of us know what we don’t know, and most of us need all the help we can get!
1. Of course I’m happy to get it.
I’ll happily accept constructive criticism and suggestions from industry professionals.
I did however give one person a hard no. They wanted me to change Kate to Kevin and make him gay for no reason that I could see as the romantic bits are extremely minor to the plot in my political military thriller.
If you want me to add another car chase, ramp up the tension in a scene, or add more character development I’m in.
I am an 11 when it comes to feedback. My background in commercial art taught me to be extremely receptive to it. Believe me, art directors aren’t hesitant when it comes to telling you to change things!
I love to analyze what I’m being told so I can try to figure out the underlying issue. (Not everyone is good at describing why something isn’t working for them.) Feedback from a publishing professional would be more than welcomed, even if I ultimately didn’t agree with it.
The hardest part about getting feedback or a critique is finding someone who is both willing and capable of giving one!
Reading poorly written novels changed my attitude toward feedback on my own work. I don’t want to disappoint my readers the way a few authors have disappointed me. It is far better to know something can improve and fix it.
Great advice and post, Rachel. I’m definitely a 10. Now. Lol
I started out probably as an 8 years ago because early on at first in my head I was defensive though I never said anything aloud.
But I’ve learned so much from industry professional feedback and published authors taking the time to offer me invaluable advice and insight that I glean anything I can. So appreciated!
I’m getting better and better at it every time!
Before I was a journalism major, I was a violinist. A huge part of studying music performance is receiving feedback on that performance. Sometimes the criticism I needed most was the hardest to hear, but I learned to be grateful for every bit. That has stayed with me as a writer.
I wasn’t very good at first – maybe a 4. I took every criticism as a personal attack. This was my baby and birthing it was hard. I’m much better now – probably a 7. God’s taught me that everyone wants their criticism to make my writing better. It’s important, though, that criticism comes along with some compliments.
I’m a ten, though I wasn’t always. When I started writing, I was mesmerized by every word I scribbled and of course my manuscript was a masterpiece. It didn’t take long to learn the painful truth that my beautiful baby had warts! Now, I thrive on constructive criticism because in the long run it makes me a better author. It’s lovely to hear that someone enjoyed one of my books, but it doesn’t help me improve as an author. I figure that if someone takes the time to offer feedback, I should pay close attention at the very least. For many people, giving anything but glowing praise feels like a risk, but it’s so important and always worth a thank you from the receiver.
I just started working with a critique group in Write That Book, and I have already found feedback is so helpful, particularly when someone else knows more about the entire picture of getting a book out there than I do. I think of it like raising my kids. Their my babies but doctors know things I don’t, sometimes teachers, or coaches ect – it takes more than just ‘my work and way’. And they are better for it.