Comments on: Should writers help other writers? Why the heck not?!

By: Aspiring Novelist

Aspiring Novelist — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 02:50:00 +0000

Well said. I applaud you.

By: Melissa Banigan

Melissa Banigan — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:38:02 +0000

I think it depends on the definition of ‘help’. I have two great writer-friends and a terrific editor who read over most of my fiction work. They give unbiased (well, as unbiased as possible) criticism. If something in my writing doesn’t work, I can trust all three of them to give me unabashed, ‘brutal’ feedback. My friends work for dinners and cocktails, my editor works for cash. In addition, I took quite a lot of time searching for a great writing group- the feedback I’ve received thus far has been incredibly helpful. The harsher, the better. I really don’t want to guard/baby my words, but I DO want to improve their readability!

As far as editing/critiquing for others… I always ask the writer giving me work if he/she wants constructive- albeit harsh- feedback. If yes, I’ll rip him/her a new one, because what work can’t improve? What I delight in is being able to read a final draft that has undergone multiple incarnations of brain-popping revision. It shows. If someone isn’t up for honest feedback, I usually pass. All of this said, I am as fair as I can be, and don’t try to look for problems when there aren’t any.

I agree with your other readers who have said that helping other writers is best when done in a supportive manner. My editor, for example, is genius at letting me know where both strengths and weaknesses rest in a work. Two years ago, with just one wisely wrought (yet harsh – it brought me to tears!) comment about a third draft of a novel, and I was off and running with a revision I’m only now completing. That’s a good editor, to make me want to stick with such a major (yet necessary) upheaval.

By: Iain Broome

Iain Broome — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:06:09 +0000

A huge thank you to everyone who’s been kind enough to read and comment on this post. My own take on critiquing others’ work is that you have to either a) do it for free for someone you have an established relationship with, or b) do it as a paid service, where expectations are set out at the start and the relationship is purely professional.

I’ve done the first of these many, many times and not encountered huge problems. I think that the established relationship allows you to pitch your feedback. If it’s someone you know can take it, be brutal. If you think your criticism might damage their confidence, take a lighter approach (but with the same message).

Lastly, you might like to know that the much-promised and not too distant WfYL relaunch will include a paid for critiquing/feedback service. I promise to be gentle!

By: marc nash

marc nash — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:26:06 +0000

Whatever happened in the past, where writing was seen as a solitary profession, there were still editors and cover designers etc. There has always been some element of collaboration. But in this day and age, where writers below the level of Dan Brown really are responsible for their own market, they absolutely have to reach out to other people and rather than cast lines in the dark, there exists a ready made community of fellow writers online who collectively will have ways for you to widen your own reach. To me it’s a no-brainer and my experience of beta-reading the novels of people in other continents who I have never even met or spoken to other than online, provides some sort of frisson of excitement I can’t even explain. I’m not a commissioning editor or anything of the sort, but I’m guessing it is akin to the feeling an editor gets when they pick up something from a slush pile that blows them away.

By: George Angus

George Angus — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:03:48 +0000

Iain,

I agree with Emma on this one. I’m loathe to critique another writer’s work. Even if they say, “It’s ok, be brutally honest.” Umm. It’s not really ok.

Otherwise, I love helping other writers and would do most anything asked. it is the right thing to do!

George

By: Lua

Lua — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:09:03 +0000

Writing definitely is a solitary act, I just don’t see why it has to be a lonely one.
I think we can truly benefit from helping each other; getting useful feedback, constructive criticism and the fact that we know we’re not all alone out there.

By: dirtywhitecandy

dirtywhitecandy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:49:17 +0000

Critiquing is something that is immensely helpful if done supportively. Not all writers can do it – or want to – but only another writer can understand how.

By: Mary Clark

Mary Clark — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:49:49 +0000

I have had experiences similar to eeleenlee’s (see comment above), and never understood WHY any of us word lovers would want to shut out other word lovers. I see no reason for the territoriality, the defensiveness. I love reading good writing; don’t mind whose, or where it comes from.

By: Siggy

Siggy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:51:50 +0000

Writing is solitary but to continue there has to be at least one other person who you know cares. I write still because it matters but I also know that somewhere it mattered to someone else but do not be mistaken it has to matter to you first. I have an inspirational file I consult when I become depressed to remind myself something I said impacted someone else. Some things in it are personal E Mails of reactions to something I wrote that remind me I mattered as a writer to someone else–some of which are from fellow writers. Others pieces are inspirational articles. Writer need fellow writers who you find out all have struggles and doubts but continue to proceed.

By: eeleenlee

eeleenlee — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:42:59 +0000

When I first began, I found other writers to be rather selfish and precious about their ideas. Which was sad but later I realised that they were covering up their defensiveness