by Marielle Carlisle
I am a believer.
In being critiqued, that is.
I was so nervous at my last chapter meeting. I had brought my baby - my picture book manuscript that I had been working on for some time - in hopes that my grand group of ladies could give me some pointers.
I passed out my manuscript and everyone read quietly to herself. Sitting for five minutes in silence while others search your story for errors can be nerve-racking, for sure.
At last, everyone finished. I braced myself for the onslaught ... bring it on.
But what is this? What a great idea! Why, I never thought of that! Of course that sounds better then what I wrote.
One lady gave me such a good suggestion that I actually got goosebumps. GOOSEBUMPS! I could not wait to get home and rewrite it.
With this positive experience under my belt, I reworked some parts, and then posted it on the ANWA Critique blog. Yikes! Now everyone can look at it and comment.
And comments I got. I was almost giddy with excitement as I read through the feedback. They were wonderfully insightful and helpful. Different angles, different opinions, but all were designed to help me with my story.
I'm hooked. You ladies ROCK!
Yes the kind of feedback you need. I love it when that happens. Your response to it is why it is so important...you want to fix it instead of being defensive.
ReplyDeleteUseful (and positive) feedback is one of the main goals of ANWA and this post only goes to prove how well we are succeeding at it!! Great insight and congratulations on the progess you have been making on your storybook!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Marielle. My own chapter sisters have been so helpful in their critiques. Good luck with your book!
ReplyDeleteNot only is it helpful to be critiqued, but I find it an honor and a privilege to critique where I can. I especially love to proof-read a novel before it's published. For me, being asked is an ego-builder.
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