Shake it off

I’ve been thinking about critiquing lately. I’m part of several critique groups, and I find it fascinating how different people’s critiquing styles are — and how differently people react to critique.

Some folks are gentle, using the moment to teach. Others lean on tough love: say it as it is, no sugarcoating. If it sucks, they’ll tell you it sucks. Personally, I rejoice when someone pokes holes and finds as many flaws as possible in my pages. Better they do it than an agent rejecting my work later.

But not everyone takes criticism kindly. I once told someone that using an adverb is lazy writing. I thought I was being helpful. At the time, I’d just read Stephen King’s memoir On Writing (2000), where he famously says, “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” Mark Twain echoed the sentiment: “Adverbs are the tool of a lazy writer.” Elmore Leonard, in his 10 Rules of Writing, advised: “Never use an adverb to modify the verb ‘said.’” Even Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style stress relying on strong nouns and verbs.

So there I was, trying to help — and I got a royal telling-off for my efforts.

What I’m really saying, in my long-winded way, is this: however a critiquer delivers their thoughts on your manuscript, don’t get offended. Ignore the style of delivery and focus on what’s useful to you. Remember — they didn’t have to read your pages at all. They could’ve spent their time doing a hundred other things. So if their delivery wasn’t up to your standards or bruised your ego, take what you need and leave the rest.

That’s my humble two cents. I know not everyone will agree, but the world is full of all kinds of people. And if you can’t handle what a handful of peers are saying now, how much harder will it be when your book is out there in the world, read by thousands? Some will love it, some won’t. That’s just how it goes.

So: develop a thick skin. Take what serves your story, and discard the rest.

By Kitty Wright

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