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| Christa MacDonald |
It’s
tough to receive criticism on our work, and it can also be difficult to offer
constructive comments to other writers. There’s a risk that someone’s feelings
will be hurt. So, what do we do? Author Christa
MacDonald offers some great tips. ~ Dawn
Critiques: The Good,
the Bad, and the Ugly
Every book needs constructive criticism. Nobody drafts, and
then edits their work perfectly. Nobody. All writers require an analysis of
their manuscript to turn it into the best book it can be. One of the kindest
acts authors can do for one another is to read their work in progress and
provide feedback. You may already belong to a critique group or partnership. If
you don’t, I highly recommend finding one. They are incredibly helpful when
done well. So, what sets a good critique apart from the bad (or the ugly)?
- The Good: Constructive criticism balanced by praise that leaves the author ready to go to work to make the necessary changes. Maintaining a neutral tone in crits, no snark. Find something to cheer. End on a positive.
- The Bad: Too much praise, too little criticism. Failing to point out where the book needs work to avoid hurting the author’s feelings.
- The Ugly: All negative, no positive. Pointing out all errors without noting any passages that are good. Condescending or critical tone in crits. Ending without finding a positive to highlight.
Have you been on the receiving end of ugly feedback? Have you
received an email or doc and what you read made you want to open a hole in the
floor and drop through it to your doom, never to write another word? That
feeling is less about the thickness of your skin and a whole lot more about how
that criticism was presented. I’m not saying edit letters are easy. Quite the
contrary, they can make an author cry even when they’re done well. I know this
from personal experience. But if what was sent makes you want to give up,
that’s the ugly stuff.
How do you avoid giving ugly feedback? Personally, I take a
page from my day job. I’ve been a manager for years, and the first skill I
honed was how to give constructive feedback that gave the staff member
receiving it the motivation to improve. Crushing someone’s spirit isn’t going
to get you their best performance. Neither will coddling them. It’s a balancing
act between praise and criticism. When providing feedback to writers, the same
rules apply. Never end on a negative. Never cast doubt on their ability to
write. We all know that writing is maybe 10% talent and 90% practice. Don’t be
the person that tells someone they don’t have what it takes.
And do have a checklist. Most critique groups will have their
own, but there are loads online to use as well. Be thinking about the theme,
character arcs, setting, word choices, etc. as you go through the MS. And when
noting what’s not working, be sure to type a comment that you’d want to receive
as an author.
What to do when on the receiving end of an ugly critique?
Remember that it’s one person’s opinion. Go get more. Don’t give up. Keep
writing!
Erin
Sullivan has had to endure the rumor mill of Sweet River, Maine grinding
through her family's scandals for years. Being a single mom and the subject of
small-town misinformation and judgement had taught her not to hope for good
things. No matter how strong her feelings were for Pastor Dan Connors, she
planned to keep them buried for the sake of his reputation and the good of her
own heart.
Dan
Connors had become pastor of the Calvary Church thinking it would be temporary,
that his mother would recover from her stroke, and he'd be back in the mission
field in a matter of months. Three years later he is struggling in a job he
never wanted, waiting for direction from God, and questioning his calling.
When Erin
sees that Dan is alone in his trial she reaches out to help and he comes to
rely on her quiet strength and kindness. Erin tells herself it's only friendship,
but it quickly becomes more and she has to reckon with a man in the midst of a
spiritual storm. As his turmoil takes its toll on them, it may be more than her
heart can take. Dan is determined to find his way, but it may have to be
without the woman he's come to love.
Christa MacDonald
is a 2017 Carol Award finalist for contemporary Christian fiction. She began
her writing career at the age of eleven, filling a sketchbook with poems and
short stories. After publishing a few short pieces in her college's literary
magazine she took a long hiatus during which she embarked on a few different
careers, got married, had three kids, and renovated an old barn masquerading as
a house. The Broken Trail, published
by Mountain Brook Ink, was her debut novel. Her second novel, At the Crossroad, released in October,
2017.
When not working or writing Christa can be found ferrying her
kids around, reading, or attempting something crafty. She and her family live
along the coast of New England.
To connect and learn more, please visit:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Christa-MacDonald/e/B01GGIU8D8
Author website: https://christamacdonald.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538432676468229
