the craft. receiving feedback.

We’ve often discussed how writing happens in a vacuum. It is you and your laptop, or pen and paper, with no one else around. But there remains an important need for an objective view. Writers need editing. And yes, as you grow, your self-editing game does indeed elevate. But even Toni Morrison had an editor. Enough said.

It doesn’t mean that receiving feedback is easy though. Your work tends to be precious to you. You’ve spent hours lamenting over the perfect way to say things and then all of a sudden it’s being ripped to shreds. But the important thing to remember is keeping the quality of the work at the forefront. It’s not about your feelings. It’s about creating the absolute best product. So, this week, I wanted to share a couple things to keep in mind when receiving feedback.

It doesn’t mean you’re an awful writer.

So much of this writing journey is about keeping a healthy mindset. Writing is not easy. We often have to encourage ourselves to even keep going. When we are constantly battling our mindset, it can be stifling to the work. I say this with an immense amount of experience at this point in beating myself up. When you are receiving feedback, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. Get that in your mind so you can get to the work of revising.

Feedback is full of suggestions.

You may feel the need to change everything someone is telling you. But the reality is, you are the master of your story. This is whether you are writing for yourself or for hire. At the end of the day, a good editor is not going to try to make your story what they would have written. Their job is to bring out the best in the story that you are trying to tell. Early feedback I received on my novel writing journey was to switch the story to first person. It made so much sense and I think it definitely aided in the story’s pacing. But there have been a lot of other suggestions I skipped. Don’t be afraid to take the good with the bad.

An important annotation on this one is to always consider the source as well. Make sure that you respect the people who are reviewing your work, so you know the caliber of the suggestions they are giving. It doesn’t mean someone with a position automatically knows more than someone else. I’m just saying, make sure you’re working with people who know writing and literature. Regardless of where they are in their career. Plenty of amazing people who have given me feedback on things aren’t yet published. But the proof is in the pudding, they’re phenomenal writers.

On a similar note though, don’t be afraid to kill your darlings.

You know, I always heard that term, but working on my novel has given it a whole new meaning. There were some passages I adored because they contained beautiful language. But they did absolutely nothing to move my story forward. After some hemming and hawing, it got a lot easier in the process to get rid of the parts that I may have liked, but didn’t need. I think this is so crucial in every type of writing.

Don’t be afraid to take some time to think about the feedback you receive.

I don’t know about you but a big part of my writing process involves thinking. I like to sleep on things, take a walk with the dog. When I do that, so much becomes clearer. One note my editor had was about combining two secondary characters. At first, I was adverse, but when I took the time to think about it, I realized that they did occupy a similar space. So it was a lot easier for me to make the change. Take your time!

It’s never easy to be critiqued. But I promise you, in the right hands, it is so worth it. I can’t tell you how helpful my writing group was in my process when trying to get my novel ready to shop to agents. And then working with my book editor has been life changing! The great thing about it is, I’ll be able to take all her great feedback into my next story. Maybe this time around I won’t have so many “thats” or change tense as much. LOL. The bottom line is that the goal should always be to become the best writer you can be. At least that’s how I see it. So, even if my little feelings might get hurt from time to time when I thought I wrote something really well that didn’t quite translate, I know that it’s all for the greater good!

Have you ever had trouble receiving feedback on your work?

Writing/Job Opportunities

PC Mag is hiring a Tech Writer/Reviewer.

The New Yorker is hiring a Senior Editor.

Anti-Racism Daily is hiring an Assistant Editor.

Character is hiring a Copywriter.

Berkeley is hiring an Assistant Professor in African American Studies.

Necole Kane of XoNecole is looking for media personalities for red carpet and entertainment coverage. Please email eic@xonecole.com with samples of your work and/or reels to apply. (ATL based)

Chronicle Books is hiring a Publishing Assistant.

Hearst UK is hiring a Senior Consumer Writer.

Marvel is hiring an Assistant Manager, Social Media. (LA Based)

Emergency Fund for Diverse Creatives In Children’s Publishing is accepting applications.