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This week: Edited by: darkin
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"The secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or to say a new thing in an old way." -Richard Harding Davis
My name is Darkin and I'll be your guest host for this issue of For Authors. |
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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
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Dealing with Criticism
You've written a story, spending numerous hours editing and polishing your prose until it is perfect. Before you submit it to an editor, positive they'll accept it after the first paragraph, you let a fellow writing read your masterpiece and wait for the glowing review.
Instead of a glowing review, your writer friend returns your masterpiece with marks and comments throughout it. Page after page you find more errors and questions. What should you do?
Writing is a little like giving birth. You spend many days, months and sometimes years developing your story. You nurture your tale, giving it the words it needs to be ready to go out into the publishing world. How do you deal with the pain of getting a critique that you feel is harsh?
There are several things you can do to learn to accept a helpful critique without losing your cool. And deal with a harsh or rude one with grace and style.
1. Remember that not matter what, the final decision to make any changes is yours and yours alone. You are the writer. Don't make any changes you don't feel is right.
2. Take any suggestions into consideration, even if you don't like the person. Weight each suggestion, if it makes sense, use it. If it doesn't, dump it.
3. Even if someone is right about some of their suggestions, they might not be right about them all. Weigh each comment against where you want your plot to go.
4. No matter what kind of review you receive, it is nothing personal against you. The only thing that is being criticized is your work, not you personally.
5. Just because someone says they are positive they are right about the way your piece should go, or the changes you should make, it doesn't mean they are. Never allow someone to push you into changing something you don't want to change.
6. When you are asking for a critique, try to get one from two or more different people. If possible, get people you trust and who read the kind of writing you do to do the critiques.
7. Sometimes you'll get a review that is just plain odd. The reviewer won't make sense, or will sound like they were reading someone else's work. When you get these kinds of critiques, just ignore them.
8. If you've sent your work to a magazine and they've rejected it, do not contact them to argue with their decision, or to complain about a comment made about your writing. It's considered bad form and childish. And it's more than likely going to mean you'll never get published by that magazine, and any other that editor talks to, as well.
9. No matter what kind of review you get, don't get angry about it. Being upset about a review that's wrong, or right, isn't going to do you, or your writing, any good.
10. Not everyone will react to your writing the same way. On the same note, not everyone will like, or hate, your work. Even if your piece is written wonderfully, has great characters, and a brilliant plot, there are going to be people who can't stand it. It's human nature.
11. Respond to every review or critique you receive with a polite and respectful thank you. Even if you disagree with the comments, or think the reviewer is crazy. Being respectful is the sign of a professional writer, and a human being.
Receiving harsh criticism of your work is something all writers face in their writing career. Learning to accept and deal with critics without losing your cool is something we all should know how to do gracefully.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!
darkin
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Here are some items I've found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com!
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Thank you for allowing me into your e-mail boxes for this week's issue. I had a wonderful time writing this issue and would love to hear what you think about it. Here is some feedback I received from my last newsletter.
darkin
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Submitted By: Metal Tiger 
Submitted Comment:
I found your article on publishers very informative, good advice to all aspiring authors. I pondered your words for awhile, and my mind wandered, as minds tend to do. I thought it would be interesting to highlight some of the writing.com members who have been published. I noticed a few contests in the past that offered writing contracts. It would be interesting if you could get feedback from some of the winners, see how they like being published. Just a thought.
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Submitted By: Satuawany 
Submitted Comment:
Excellent newsletter! Very, very useful. I know I've gotten a few...strange emails even on Writing.com and your list tells me that the warning bells that went off in my head were likely right on target. Now I know what else to look out for, too.
And hey! Thanks for the highlight.
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Submitted By: SHEA
Submitted Comment:
What great advice on Avoiding Writing Scams!
Thank you for giving smart precautions, I am so truely grateful!
Way to go on the Newsletter too; GREAT JOB!
Kindest,
Shea
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Submitted By: A thinker never sleeps
Submitted Comment:
Plenty of useful advice. For whispers and warnings about potential scams you can search here. http://www.writersweekly.com/whispers_and_warnings.php They also do a free newsletters including writers markets.
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Submitted By: Helen McNicol
Submitted Comment:
An incredibly helpful newsletter. Having just been offered a contract from a publisher recently I know what you mean about the excitement taking everything else over. You just want to be published! But you do have to think with your head and not your heart in this scenario
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Submitted By: Erika
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for all of the great advice. I'll definately be saving a copy of this newsletter for future reference! :)
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Submitted By: larryp
Submitted Comment:
Darkin
Some great tips here. Before I came to Writing.com, I sent a poem to be included in anthology along with $45.00. I was to receive a copy of the anthology, which would look great on my end table, they said, along with a plague with my poem on it. I think that was about 4 years ago, I haven't heard a word since. They did cash the check though. Guess I learned the hard way.
Thanks for sharing these tips, we do need to be wise.
kansaspoet.
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Submitted By: BreenaRose
Submitted Comment:
Thanks for this important information. My aunt is a lawyer and she's always telling me to be careful when the time comes to publish my writing.
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Submitted By: IGWOOTEN
Submitted Comment:
Hi Demon,
Very sound and helpful advice for those desperate writers(and what writer isn't?)who want so much to get published. My own experience with so-called online 'get-paid-to-write' sites left me a lot smarter about the gold at the end of the rainbow syndrome.
Great job!
IGW
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Submitted By: Jaye P. Marshall 
Submitted Comment:
Just wanted to compliment you on the article about Agent and Publishing scams. It is a terrific warning to those writers who are "just dying to be published". Thought it was great!
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Submitted By: Big Mike 2humble2bragbut...
Submitted Comment:
Hey, how about the one that beguiles poets to submit their work, and no matter how good or bad it is, they respond with an offer to publish the poem in a book. They play on the writer's desire to see their work in print. The book can be purchased by the author for "a special author's price". So, if this book was published for more than just the authors, why isn't it for sale in bookstores? Good work!
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Submitted By: SHADOW
Submitted Comment:
Hi Darkin,
The information in this newsletter has perfect timing as I just received an email from a potential agent and because I've only just started writing I have no real understanding of publishing. You have opened my eyes when I had no idea they were closed. Cheers
JPatrick
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Submitted By: Voxxylady
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for putting out this info about how to know legit agents and companies. My cousin, who is new to the writing business world, was nearly taken by one that looked legit until I did some research on it and they were asking for a fee, etc. They were negatively listed on the Preditors & Editors site. That site should be bookmarked by every writer trying to publish in any way.
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Submitted By: gcbenjigal
Submitted Comment:
This is a great newsletter. It's always a wonderful thing to keep other people from getting scammed. I can tell you, I've almost fallen for quite a few. You're a great person.
~Lissa
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Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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For Authors: March 12, 2008 Issue [#2273]
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