Jenn Sadai's Blog - Posts Tagged "editing"
Listen to Your Critics!
Ever shutdown during a conversation because the other person is telling you something you DON'T want to hear?
I had that urge while I was talking to a sweet, helpful woman last week. I sent my sixth book to several readers/writers, because I was lacking my usual confidence. Two publishers raved about it, but a trusted friend felt it was a little slow. I was so eager to move forward that I almost signed the contract before getting feedback from the final beta reader, even though I wasn't certain it was the best it could be.
I couldn't squash my doubts despite my best efforts, so it shouldn't have came as a shock when the final reader wasn't as impressed by it. I could tell she was trying to break the news to me gently. I zoned out when she pointed out the lack of emotion in my storytelling and that it was missing essential elements designed to entice the reader. It was hard to hear and I caught myself tuning her out.
That's a natural response to negative feedback, however it's highly unproductive. I forced myself to listen, because I knew she wasn't trying to bring me down. She was trying to bring out the best in me. Her points were not only valid, but incredibly helpful. There were aspects of my book that I could easily improve on, as well as issues with the story structure that needed fixing.
The method I was using to judge the quality of my writing was broken. I relied heavily on encouragers and avoided critics, which was necessary for me to push forward with confidence as a new writer. However, in order to take my writing to the next level, I need to listen to negative feedback.
I truly believe that magic happens when we break from the ordinary. We can't advance ourselves or society by always doing what was always done. Growth starts with uncomfortable conversations that break down our way of thinking in search of a better way.
I spent over 12 hours this past weekend editing and enhancing my book. Thanks to her thorough comments on the areas that were lacking, my sixth book will be my best book so far.
I'm finally ready to move forward with Her Beauty Burns!
I had that urge while I was talking to a sweet, helpful woman last week. I sent my sixth book to several readers/writers, because I was lacking my usual confidence. Two publishers raved about it, but a trusted friend felt it was a little slow. I was so eager to move forward that I almost signed the contract before getting feedback from the final beta reader, even though I wasn't certain it was the best it could be.
I couldn't squash my doubts despite my best efforts, so it shouldn't have came as a shock when the final reader wasn't as impressed by it. I could tell she was trying to break the news to me gently. I zoned out when she pointed out the lack of emotion in my storytelling and that it was missing essential elements designed to entice the reader. It was hard to hear and I caught myself tuning her out.
That's a natural response to negative feedback, however it's highly unproductive. I forced myself to listen, because I knew she wasn't trying to bring me down. She was trying to bring out the best in me. Her points were not only valid, but incredibly helpful. There were aspects of my book that I could easily improve on, as well as issues with the story structure that needed fixing.
The method I was using to judge the quality of my writing was broken. I relied heavily on encouragers and avoided critics, which was necessary for me to push forward with confidence as a new writer. However, in order to take my writing to the next level, I need to listen to negative feedback.
I truly believe that magic happens when we break from the ordinary. We can't advance ourselves or society by always doing what was always done. Growth starts with uncomfortable conversations that break down our way of thinking in search of a better way.
I spent over 12 hours this past weekend editing and enhancing my book. Thanks to her thorough comments on the areas that were lacking, my sixth book will be my best book so far.
I'm finally ready to move forward with Her Beauty Burns!
