It’s been a long time since I’ve written editorial letters, but I’ve done two today! One for someone from my queer critique group who’s story I finished this morning (The Breakfast Club meets group out-patient therapy with an f/f romance) and the second for my boss after rereading his nonfiction manuscript (all about how to hire for non-HR people) that we’re publishing early next year.
I used to do this almost weekly in college, of course, but giving substantive feedback again makes me appreciate editors and agents so much more … and my beta readers who have taken the time to give me feedback on my own story. Reading is one thing, but reading with the intent of giving feedback is a much slower process and engages your mind on a different level since it’s both enjoying the experience and scanning for reactions and potential improvements as you go.
And because I know my own fragile writer’s soul, I don’t want to misstep and crush someone else’s. It’s funny how good writers are at cushioning feedback in this way: take it or leave it, it’s your story, loved all these things, don’t kill me . . .
I get it. There are a few things about my story that I know I would absolutely not change and I know most writers probably have similar feelings. I don’t want to accidentally beat up their baby. But I also want to help their baby be the best it can be. That’s another thing critique partners say to each other before the killing strike.
But really, critiquing manuscripts can be very subjective. That’s why you get lots of readers, lots of feedback, and pick out the common threads or the ones that really fit with your vision. How I would do something doesn’t mean that’s how the writer should do it. And I’ve ignored my fair share of beta reader feedback too.
I have a lot more critiquing to do still! I have a very large peer critique group (ten of us) and we’re mostly picking our way through each other’s manuscripts. As these are full-length books, it’s taking some time and will go on through the rest of this year.
Here’s the short pitch from the author for the next manuscript up on my critique list: “Erin drops all of her mom-sanctioned summer duties in favor of riding to Texas with her long-lost and terminally ill Auntie B for the last summer tour with her motorcycle gang, the Hell Hounds.”
Can’t wait.
With Love,
Natalie