Crits & Hurt Feelings

Tip of the Day: Leave reviews for books you buy. They don't have to be long, drawn-out affairs - just a simple, "Loved it!" is good enough.

So I had kind of sad thing happen this week. A writer-friend, someone I trust a lot, asked me to do a crit for her. I happily said yes because I love, love, love editing.

It was a very early version of her story. I wanted to help, so I thought I'd be as brutal as possible. As a critique partner, I felt it was my job not to pull any punches. Because if I lie, and stroke her ego, what good would I be doing? The point of a critique is to make things better, not to pat someone on the head.

Things kind of spiraled out of control. In my attempt to be honest, I came off as harsh. In my attempt to apologize, I came off as sarcastic and mean. In my attempt to back off and explain, I came off as self-deprecating and pitiful.

She misunderstood me. I misunderstood her. Let's just say it wasn't pretty and I had a bad week trying desperately to scramble out of the black hole our friendship had suddenly fallen into.

This is one of the big risks we take in this profession. Writing is filled with emotional pitfalls. Our work is dear to us, as precious as a new baby. Expectations are high, but at the same time it's like balancing on a ball while holding a rod with a dish on top. No one wants that dish to crash to the floor and shatter in a million pieces. Not me, the person telling them how to balance; not the person on the ball, trying desperately to make everything perfect.

I had a talk about it with a guy friend, who is also involved in the arts. It was short, done via text, and very matter-of-fact. He told me this happens everywhere. He told me I shouldn't take it so damn personally. That was about it. Guy logic. Gotta love it. It's very grounding.

So, I put on my man pants, wrote her a simple email explaining that I hadn't mean to be mean, or sarcastic, or pitiful, and nothing I wrote was in anger. I also said I valued our friendship.

All of this lead to a great realization about myself - something I'd been suspecting for quite a long time now - I SUCK at developmental editing. Give me a manuscript with typos and missing commas and grammar issues and I am all over that baby. But taking a story and trying to help someone mold it? Not my forte. It's not a reason to be down on myself. It's simply a truth that not only serves me better as a writer, but also helps me realize where my strengths are when my friends ask me for the help I'm always so happy to give.

Want to know what happened? My friend and I made up. I hope we move on happily and put this behind us like two dudes who just beat the shit out of each other, then went out for a beer.

Moral of the story? Be kind. Be honest. Be true. Be willing, always, to say you are sorry - even if you never meant to offend.

Megg, Miss Enchanted ePubber

Copy Edits: The Method to My Madness

Tip of the Day: Wash your hands often. Yesterday Dr. Oz said people pick their nose five times an hour. Ew. Ew, ew, ew.

I'm going to let you in on my highly intriguing process of tackling copy edits. It's not a conscious process, I have to say, because I only just realized that I do this each time I get copy edits and this is my third book (Just Your Average Princess).

One month before copy edits are due: UPS man knocks on my door, makes me sign for package, I see where it's from, know it's my copy edits, and toss unopened package on the dining room table.

(I call this period of time the Acceptance period. Me accepting that yes, there is STILL more work to do on this book.)

Three weeks before copy edits are due: Glare at copy edits lying on dining room table, still untouched. Hold package and think about opening it. Probably should see what it entails. Rip open package, look at first page FULL of new notes, curse, and jam the whole thing back into the envelope and toss back on the dining room table.

(I call this my Why Oh Why?! period. The one where I thought I had reached acceptance but no, I can't believe there are still issues to fix so thus I whine. Mostly to myself, occasionally to husband.)

Two weeks before copy edits are due: Walk by dining room table, sigh heavily, think to self, I really need to start these copy edits. Take manuscript out again and start leafing through. Argue out loud with marks on the first twenty pages or so. Get frustrated and jam it back in the envelope and toss on the dining room table.

(I call this my Denial period. The one where I'm sure it's not me that's wrong.)

One week before copy edits are due: OH CRAP. Copy edits are due! Tell everyone to leave me alone and get to work!

(This is my What was I thinking Waiting Until the last Minute?! period)

That's where I'm at right now so that's it for my post today-- back to work!

Kristina, Miss See me on the Shelves