by Glory Lennon

Created on: May 26, 2010   Last Updated: May 27, 2010

As writers, we all have to grow a thick skin. That is to say, we  have to accept that there will be times our writing will not meet someone’s approval. They say all writers get rejected, even the greats. That may be true, but that doesn’t make it any easier to take criticism. What is important  to remember is that criticism is merely someone’s opinion. As we all know, opinions are neither correct nor incorrect.

If we are wise, we will accept criticism as a form of advice. This advice, however, could rub us the wrong way, even if it is good. Of course, we can always ignore advice, but that may be doing ourselves a harm. If writers ignore all advice, how will they be able to improve their writing skills? How can they learn from mistakes if someone doesn’t first inform them they made them?  How can writers get those coveted writing assignments if they refuse to capitulate to a publisher’s demands for excellence? In other words, how can writers survive in this highly competitive world of writing if they are not willing to take some advice from other, perhaps more experienced, writers?

There is nothing saying that a more experienced writer will give good advice. Advice is a bit like a shoe. One size may not fit all, and, at times, may fit only a few. Knowing this, we have to brace ourselves for criticism/advice from other writers but also take it with a grain of salt. Without the ability to differentiate between the good and the bad, we may end up in a worse way than what we were before we took the so-called advice. It would behoove the writer, the one who wishes his/her writing to improve,  to be able to recognize the good advice from the bad.

With this in mind let us look at a few examples of unsolicited advice given by one writer to another. Take note of how she handled it and the outcome.

This new writer allowed a trusted friend to  read an unfinished story.  His first impression was that she used adverbs entirely too much. Upon reading her own story, this time seeing it through his eyes, she instantly knew he was right. How could she have missed that? She had never noticed it until he told her. Although she dearly loved those “ly” words, she did a massive slash-n-burn on almost all of them which made the story so much better. This one piece of advice made her a much better writer. She will always be grateful to her friend for giving her such wonderful advice.

This same writer received a comment 

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>