Feedback Isn’t Failure: A Writer’s Take on the Editing Process
Good morning, everyone – or is it afternoon? At any rate, please retrieve your textbooks and turn to page 394. Yes, that’s right, Jonathan. We’re skipping ahead a few chapters. (And no, it’s not because we have a werewolf on the payroll… Well, not one that I know of.)
Today, we’re discussing feedback. Specifically, how to handle editing feedback as a writer. Speaking from experience – as someone who’s gotten his fair share of feedback on short stories and manuscripts – it’s definitely a subject that every writer needs to think about as soon as possible.
Table of Contents
Chapter 42: How to Handle Editing Feedback
First things first. No matter how good you think you are, the editing process always makes you better. Ask any published writer how important editing is to them, and chances are they’ll say it’s integral to the work they’ve put out. Editing and rewriting are the heart of every draft.
Now, before Stacy puts up her hand to ask why I’m saying this when we’re supposed to be discussing feedback, I’ll tell you: it’s because editing (yes, even self-editing) is based on feedback.
The Value of Feedback on Your Writing
I’ve previously discussed my personal experience with feedback and editing. Some of it has been good, some of it has been bad, but most of it has been honest. Did you catch that word? I see some of you did.
I’ll die on that hill.
The thing is, honest feedback is difficult to come by, especially for new writers. Too often, beginners share first drafts with a friend or family member in the hopes they might hear something to help them grow. Too often, they’re disappointed.
“So, what did you think?” you’ll ask, and you’ll probably get “It was good” as a reply.
You might try to dig a little deeper, but you’ll often find that people (especially those who aren’t too familiar with writing) lack the ability to give you feedback with substance.
My Views on Reviews
Many writers, especially with social media and overactive comment sections, get their first honest feedback from strangers. This might be for a work you self-published or even something you shared on Facebook. It’s an inevitable part of the process and is usually at the opposite end of the feedback spectrum. The feedback might be good or bad, but it’s much easier to use in terms of growth. Let me just make a few things clear, though:
- Feedback isn’t failure, it’s the opposite. Every bit of feedback, every correction, every revision of the manuscript is a victory. See it that way.
- Some people will hate what others love, especially when it comes to writing. You can’t help it. It’s the way of humanity. It’s important to receive feedback with this in mind.
- A bad review is better for growth than no review at all. If you got the reader to the end of the story, you did something right. If they didn’t finish the story, the fact that they attempted yours (out of millions of others) speaks volumes.
- Feedback isn’t failure, it’s the opposite. Every bit of feedback, every correction, every revision of the manuscript is a victory. See it that way.
Recently, I’ve noticed a rise in writers complaining about the reviews people leave for their work. It’s rather absurd to me, considering that people have paid for the privilege to do that. It’s also confusing, since I have no idea how writers intend to better themselves and their inner editor without this type of reader feedback. You don’t have to like it, but embrace it, the good and bad.
What to Do When Your Editor Bleeds All Over Your Work
Now, what do you do when you pay someone to give you feedback or edit your work, and it comes back smeared in red? That’s not rhetorical. Can anyone answer? How about you, Stacy? Oh, yes, funny, but true! For those of you who are in the back and didn’t hear her, she said, “Don’t get offended.”
A writer’s relationship with their editor is very important – sacred, even some might say (yes, “some” is me). If feedback is a spectrum, the right editor would be in the middle. As most of you know by now, they’re supposed to help you and your manuscript on the path to betterment, and that’s an integral thing to remember when receiving professional editing feedback.
Actually, an anecdote by Stephen King comes to mind where he talks about the first time a story of his was edited:
When Gould finished marking up my copy in the manner I have indicated above, he looked up and must have seen something on my face. I think he must have thought it was horror, but it was not: it was revelation.
“I only took out the bad parts, you know,” he said. “Most of it’s pretty good.”
“I know,” I said, meaning both things: yes, most of it was good, and yes, he had only taken out the bad parts. “I won’t do it again.”
“If that’s true,” he said, “you’ll never have to work again. You can do this for a living.” Then he threw back his head and laughed.
To all of us hearing that, it’s very comedic (for obvious reasons), but the important part of this little extract is that King responded to the edits like most writers should: matter-of-factly. He trusted the process, realised that the writing was better because of it, and strove to improve his process going forward (and did he ever!).
Craft and Criticism
I think many writers become defensive with reviewer and editing feedback because they fail to understand that the purpose of it all is not to insult, but to improve. It seems obvious, especially when said aloud, but no one likes criticism. It’s human. We all want our literary offspring to be perfect, to remain how we gave birth to them – don’t smile like that, James, you know it’s true.
The fact is that separating craft and criticism is key to dealing with editing feedback and applying it in the most effective way possible. Most of you here already know the gist of writerly things. You know what an editor is supposed to do, how feedback and criticism are supposed to work (if you don’t, you can do a little catching up).
We’ve spoken about it all before, and the internet is an endless well of information. It doesn’t soften the inevitable blow, though, when a bad review or a document so red you can barely see the words lands on your desk.
Down in the Dumps: Quick Advice on Getting Over Bad Feedback
Now, the highlight of today’s lesson: How do I, as a writer, handle editing feedback? For me, a good cry and an hour-long phone call to my German psychologist always helps. I kid, I kid! I don’t have a German psychologist.
In all seriousness, though, it comes down to practicality. You want to write? Write. You want to publish? Rewrite. You want to become better? Listen. Like any biological process, growth is seldom pleasant. I can offer you a few tips, though.
Tips for Receiving Feedback Like a Writer
- You are not your feedback. You are how you respond to it.
- Remember King’s (paraphrased) quote: “Writing is human, editing is divine.”
- If you need a moment, take several. Better to receive it calmly than with knee-jerk panic.
- Playing devil’s advocate is almost always beneficial in receiving editing feedback.
- Make sure you’ve eaten (trust me, or a particular werewolf insisting we eat chocolate).
- Utilising editing feedback prevents bad reviews later on.
- A manuscript can be fixed, but a printed book can’t.
How to Handle Editing Feedback and Stay Sane
Now, I’m glad you all made it to the end of the lecture without falling asleep! Well, most of you. Stacy, would you pinch Jonathan? I’m afraid we might have lost him after the King anecdote.
Welcome back, dear boy! What did you miss? I suppose the gist is that the best writers know when and how to take feedback practically, and that honesty makes for the most effective feedback. Indeed, honesty – with yourself and your work – will get you further than you might suspect.
Shaun van Rensburg
Shaun van Rensburg lives in South Africa with his cat. Over the years, he has published several short stories in various anthologies. Most recently, his first novel was published through his imprint, Pink Dove Books.