Welcome to the Writer’s Tips section of Women onWriting ezine. We hope you will enjoy your stay here and I want to take a moment and thank you for stopping by. Do you have a writing tip you would like to share with us? Please join in on the fun! Contact Pamela at newjerseygirl@iglide.net

CRITTERS AND JITTERS!

This month’s writing tips adventure focuses on Critiques, a most feared and awkward stage a writer endures. This is where a writer humbly and courageously submits his or her own work for a critique while they stand by patiently, some biting their nails, in response to the work they have sacrificed after long painstakingly hours of dedication and hard work. It is also a time where a writer must make a decision based on that critique and make any changes as advised or keep what is written, ignoring the changes. Take what you need and toss the rest. Does that sound familiar to you? Or a tiny explanation which includes a little blurb “Clear as Mud”? In any event critiques DO help tremendously!

The best ways to handle receiving critiques and making your decisions on what to change is basically a common sense approach. Having knowledge of the grammar rules, and making the necessary punctuation changes are only half the battle although a good battle mind you, because no Editor would want to see a manuscript or article submitted that is loaded down with grammatical and typographical errors, misspelled words or punctuation applied wrongly.

The more critiques you receive the better. Sometimes you will find that you receive different feedback from each person performing the critique. When two or more pick up on the same problem areas of which they feel a change is in order that is the time to take it under careful consideration and consider the change. Change is Good!!

While on the other hand you could possibly become overwhelmed with so many different aspects of your work being critiqued, take the time and go over each carefully and consider the changes and look forward to the rewrite. You will be quite proud of yourself after you did and will see a vast improvement in your work.

An aspiring writer can tell if their critique is a genuine one. This writer will know if careful consideration was given on all aspects including but not limited to POV, description, settings, dialogue if any, paragraph structure, pacing and tone. Some will offer or suggest new wording or rewriting of a sentence. Some will say “This Makes No Sense” or “Read it Outloud”. When you receive comments like these previously stated its time to really sit down and figure out why you wrote what you did initially and either remove it from the text or reword it for clarity. Just chalk if off to one of those golden moments we as writers all have and are bound to experience them again in one way or another.

Be strong and maintain a tough skin when it comes to critiques. While we love to get the positive feedback stoking our egos on a ‘great job’ well done, it doesn’t always necessarily mean that it’s ready for publication. That second pair of eyes is a God send in one way or another and get used to the idea of having your work critiqued. This will also give you the practice of submitting and receiving feedback, learning new techniques while keeping your grammar knowledge up on its toes as well. The more you experiment with this the easier it will get and the fewer mistakes you will make as you gain the experience insight and time. It will help you to take a no nonsense and quality approach no only in your work but in your writing habits and how not to be so sloppy or inconsistent, unclear. Does this make sense? You will begin to develop better writing habits, ones that will take you where you need to go. Also be sure to tell the person doing the critique of what exactly you are looking for or if there is something in particular that you need a critique on.

And last but not least do remember to take what you need and toss the rest and keep in mind we as writers cannot possibly please everyone all the time. Opinions vary and should be respected as such. Let those comments go and move onward! Keep building your dreams and pursue them.

It is also wise to critique other’s work yourself in return for having yours critique. By doing so, you will gain insight on diverse writing styles and voices. It will also keep you on your toes with grammar and punctuation and gives you a chance to be opinionated. But do be fair, honest and courteous in a most professional manner. Remember that writer on the other side of the fence can be just as sensitive as you and will know whether or not you have given them an honest critique in all fairness.

Thank you for stopping by the Writer’s Tips section of WomenOnWriting.com. I hope that you enjoyed your stay here and will come back and join us again!

Writer's Tips Archive 2004

Writer's Tips Archive 2003