tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post4927752022314509851..comments2024-03-28T13:35:16.194-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: The Unnecessary Shame Writers Feel When Getting FeedbackJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-79032212651155916772015-01-17T05:16:26.913-05:002015-01-17T05:16:26.913-05:00I wrote first draft of my story around 300 pages. ...I wrote first draft of my story around 300 pages. And then when I started to edit I saw a release of a new novel that was published some weeks after I had finished my first draft.<br />And the concept of novel is same as that of mine.<br />How the hell that was possible. What I wrote was my original work.<br />Now I am confused whether to continue editing or start all over again with a new idea.<br />I don’t feel like leaving the idea. But I am also clueless on this issue.<br />I am a aspiring writer.<br />Please help.<br />ShushantAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02158904739519457752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87900411261103333832015-01-17T05:09:16.235-05:002015-01-17T05:09:16.235-05:00I wrote first draft of my story around 300 pages. ...I wrote first draft of my story around 300 pages. And then when I started to edit I saw a release of a new novel that was published some weeks after I had finished my first draft.<br />It was original work<br />And the concept of novel is same as that of mine.<br />How the hell that was possible.<br />Now I am confused whether to continue editing or start all over again with a new idea.<br />I don’t feel like leaving the idea. But I am also clueless on this issue.<br />I am a aspiring writer.<br />Please help.<br />ShushantAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02158904739519457752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-80243748491102877832014-10-05T01:08:38.821-04:002014-10-05T01:08:38.821-04:00This allows parents to avoid their child having to... This allows parents to avoid their child having to switch schools in the middle of the university season. Because of this, home sales are at their highest in summer, and wind down in the fall. <a href="http://www.quickmove.com/quick-sale-houses.html" rel="nofollow">Quick Sale Houses</a><br />Zackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09875668972227675257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-64177116030026873432014-09-27T01:20:16.800-04:002014-09-27T01:20:16.800-04:00It expenses you nothing - not a cent - to publish ...It expenses you nothing - not a cent - to publish your material to databases for free guide online. <a href="http://socialnetwork.stock-options-picks.com/blogs/viewstory/1176389" rel="nofollow">click for more</a>Zackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09875668972227675257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-22312635005890578742014-09-25T01:27:17.431-04:002014-09-25T01:27:17.431-04:00He recognizes many sufferers who cannot manage ora...He recognizes many sufferers who cannot manage oral work. He does their proper take good care of a little fee or for 100 % free. <a href="http://mx1.brainarray.net/index.php/196791-new-york-dwi-lawye" rel="nofollow">why not try here</a><br />Zackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09875668972227675257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4541478674445173822013-06-21T20:34:32.569-04:002013-06-21T20:34:32.569-04:00Hi Cara,
You're so right. Publisher are look...Hi Cara, <br /><br />You're so right. Publisher are looking for riveting stories, not perfect spelling. If they have good content editors, they can even give the writers feedback on how to make a riveting story even better. If a writer knows how to tell a GREAT story and has good delivery (not perfect), then a publisher will see that! Thanks for chiming in. Love your analogy! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-59184946885743832172013-06-21T16:55:03.418-04:002013-06-21T16:55:03.418-04:00I think every author goes through these emotions -...I think every author goes through these emotions -- I did. But I've come to realize that publishers seek potential, not perfection. Writing is a completely different process from editing. To say, I write, therefore I should be able to edit is like saying, I can frame a house, therefore I ought to be able to do the electrical wiring too. Both processes contribute to the final product (a house), but they are distinctly different skills. I think part of the confusion arises from writers' conferences in which writers are told by editors/publishers that they must submit an edited, polished manuscript, and from that writers assume their "polished" manuscript is ready-to-publish, when merely it is as good as they as writers can make it.Cara Bristolhttp://carabristol.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30147261976500671522013-06-21T16:14:40.086-04:002013-06-21T16:14:40.086-04:00Good Lord, this was EXACTLY how I felt about my fi...Good Lord, this was EXACTLY how I felt about my first book and its edits. Guess, it wasn't that bad because I just got an email today that Harlequin is sending me a contract for book two and wants the next few as well. Merciful Muse!Lisa Medleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02292293577788930873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-1886914115470324152013-04-24T22:19:30.255-04:002013-04-24T22:19:30.255-04:00I am so lucky to have a ruthless sister with almos...I am so lucky to have a ruthless sister with almost professional level copy editing skills. I just don't understand writers who get defensive or discouraged when getting feedback. I remind myself: <br />A. Only people who really care about your work will give you critical and detailed feedback. <br />B. It is not the reader's job to understand, it is my job to communicate. <br />C. The writing that has received the most "brutal" feedback has always turned out to be my best completed work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67707181184643119072013-03-08T23:49:05.490-05:002013-03-08T23:49:05.490-05:00You make a good point with #2. When someone reads ...You make a good point with #2. When someone reads a ms of mine they bring opinions from their perspective as either a reader or another writer. An editor would add a third viewpoint, and none of them are exactly mine as the story's creator. The more eyes, the better, even if it's uncomfortable having them find things I shouldn't have missed. It's good to remember that the book publishing industry is a business and we all have a part to play in giving our product the best chance of success.Carol Garvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02182655399708415140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42475041611845385672013-03-08T15:15:55.650-05:002013-03-08T15:15:55.650-05:00LOL! I can completely relate to the cycle! :-)LOL! I can completely relate to the cycle! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-82829363167995632292013-03-08T13:21:37.143-05:002013-03-08T13:21:37.143-05:00(stageS--DARN! Anger...)(stageS--DARN! Anger...)Kelly Salasinhttp://kellysalasin.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-27194346551922428942013-03-08T13:20:52.051-05:002013-03-08T13:20:52.051-05:00My response to critique comes in stage:
Anger
Dis...My response to critique comes in stage:<br /><br />Anger<br />Disgust (with the reader's lack of understanding)<br />More anger<br />More disgust<br />Self-loathing<br />Despair<br />Hopelessness<br />Futility<br />Willingness to consider<br />Aha<br />Relief<br />Acceptance<br /><br />(and that's just with my husband)Kelly Salasinhttp://kellysalasin.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-3876216448660812162013-03-06T16:14:07.039-05:002013-03-06T16:14:07.039-05:00Love the vision you have for the story, not the wo...Love the vision you have for the story, not the words. That's good, Jody!Laura@OutnumberedMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10764574855540659528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4165759137263086372013-03-06T10:37:40.271-05:002013-03-06T10:37:40.271-05:00"It's the author's job to hold the he..."It's the author's job to hold the heart of the story in her hand, but to be willing to let the words slip through her fingers."<br /><br />Jody, I think the reason why, including ME, get so hard on ourselves about feedback is simply the fact that it's getting harder to keep up with all the changes and "choices" out there now, even if you can't afford certain alternatives (Professionally self-publishing, for instance), you're still bound to certain levels of quality.<br /><br />While it's true no one can ever attain perfection, it's also true that my personal "Best" isn't always enough for whomever I'm trying to entice, be it an agent or editor, or the many beta-readers we have for our works in progress. <br /><br />Even if the basics are the same, achieving them isn't always so basic, if that makes any sense. <br /><br />When you're constantly hearing messages from all fronts that "Good enough" isn't enough, regardless where you are in your personal journey, how do you not go through it without being enraged and frustrated at times?<br /><br />When you've been conditioned (For Better or Worse)to expect the best quality possible (AFTER the first draft...), it's REALLY HARD to know when enough is enough. Many times I've hit the wall on stories, knowing this is as good as I can make it on my own, only to hear from beta-readers-<br /><br />There's not enough showing.<br />Too much telling.<br />Yet they're still confused about the point of the story. All at the same time! (Can you say "I want to crawl under the bed and eat cheesecake!)<br /><br />Kidding. Well, partly...<br /><br />It's not just fellow writers who give us this impression, the business aspects of the process frankly don't help easing the angst, either. <br />When you're fighting just to be READ, it's not always easy to "Brush it off."<br /><br />You don't have to be a delusional "perfectionist" to feel this way. I know you not saying that, Jody, I'm just speaking for myself here.<br /><br />Still, while I really get and agree with what you're saying in this post, on some level the words DO matter, and I say that in the most even-handed way possible.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-29449697093170176882013-03-05T23:16:55.144-05:002013-03-05T23:16:55.144-05:00Holy cow, I needed to hear this. I just got feedba...Holy cow, I needed to hear this. I just got feedback from my agent, and every negative thought you mentioned went through my head between yesterday and today. We all need help, and there's no shame in that. Thank you!Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87443701956775274932013-03-05T22:40:32.495-05:002013-03-05T22:40:32.495-05:00My favorite line: "It's the author's ...My favorite line: "It's the author's job to hold the heart of the story in her hand, but to be willing to let the words slip through her fingers."<br /><br />I find this so comforting, Jody. I just read through a first draft, and you know how those are. Oy! But I keep reminding myself that this is only the beginning. It'll only get better from here.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81581932917354463522013-03-05T19:49:57.185-05:002013-03-05T19:49:57.185-05:00THANK YOU for this! THANK YOU for this! Tracy Krausshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05066853243062725525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-21944872501789886312013-03-05T16:38:53.223-05:002013-03-05T16:38:53.223-05:00Oh absolutely, Christine! You're more than wel...Oh absolutely, Christine! You're more than welcome to quote me and link back! Thanks for asking. Hoping your venture into a critique group goes well! :-)Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-35920957001355115802013-03-05T13:49:51.433-05:002013-03-05T13:49:51.433-05:00Jody, I enjoy reading all your thoughtful blog pos...Jody, I enjoy reading all your thoughtful blog post. Today's post was very timely for me as I venture into a critique group ready to have people read my WIP. Especially poignant, encouraging and beautifully written was when you said, " It's the author's job to hold the heart of the story in her hand, but to be willing to let the words slip through her fingers.: <br /><br />Would it be alright if I quote your words on a blog post I'm writing and link back to your blog?Christine Wenzelhttp://christinewenzel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-90558252877145940532013-03-05T11:49:53.953-05:002013-03-05T11:49:53.953-05:00I love that analogy, the writer-as-puppetmaster. W...I love that analogy, the writer-as-puppetmaster. We can't see our own performance.<br /><br />I open new edits with trepidation. I'm glad to say that the requests sent back on my second book have been a lot easier to handle than the ones that came back on my first. I've often spoken about how the first thing I had to do was remove my first book's initial 50 pages. And for the second, before the submissions editor would even consider offering me a contract I had to do a complete re-write.<br /><br />I guess those two trials by fire have hardened me somewhat. I got over the shame of needing edits because I have twice been thrown into the deep end on them.Paul Anthony Shortthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393249001158230985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-88773448276780140222013-03-05T11:45:41.359-05:002013-03-05T11:45:41.359-05:00I recently submitted an article for a magazine to ...I recently submitted an article for a magazine to consider. I knew I hadn't done a great job on it. I was trying to take the easy way out and hope that they liked it. The editor wrote back that it didn't fit their style in its current form AND she gave me some tips for what might fit their readers. I sulked and pouted and told myself all kinds of lies about what a terrible writer I am. Then, in the midst of doing laundry, God planted another article idea in my head. I wrote that one for the magazine and they accepted it and it was at just the right time to fill a need they had. So, yeah. I totally get this. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68483298955066545032013-03-05T11:30:00.398-05:002013-03-05T11:30:00.398-05:00I know!! :-) It's hard to believe!! And I have...I know!! :-) It's hard to believe!! And I have to say, after finishing this last manuscript, the thrill of completing a book was still as high as always! That joy in bringing a story to a satisfying completion never gets old!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-86225906260717955052013-03-05T11:27:16.283-05:002013-03-05T11:27:16.283-05:00That's a really tough question, Cynthia. On th...That's a really tough question, Cynthia. On the one hand I understand where you're coming from. After we spend weeks and months on a manuscript, it does seem to devalue our work if we put it out there so cheaply.<br /><br />But on the other hand, I've seen this technique work as a hook for authors who have been able to publish series, particularly fairly close together. Readers purchase the first book priced low (are willing to take a chance on the new author). And then go on to purchase the rest of the books in the series (which are priced higher).Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-21083150850327684002013-03-05T11:24:25.567-05:002013-03-05T11:24:25.567-05:00I haven't read it, Caroline. I'll have to ...I haven't read it, Caroline. I'll have to take a look at it!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.com