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Criticism, 25 lessons learned
Jun. 29th, 2008 09:57 am1. Your immediate first reaction will always be, "What? They don't understand me or my work!"
2. Smile, say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
3. Because once you get over yourself you will probably wind up absorbing and adapting most of it.
4. Unless they took a patronizing or dismissive tone.
5. But smile anyway and say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
6. Because you may wind up absorbing/adapting some of the patronizing and dismissive criticism, too.
7. But you don't ever have to deal with that person again because, really, patronizing and dismissive is the
one unforgivable sin.
8. Hardass or harsh criticism is especially hard to take. It stings.
9. Smile, say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
10. Because once you get over the hurt you will probably wind up absorbing and adapting most of it.
11. Do not assume that because someone can dish out hardass criticism they can also take it.
12. You must always tell the truth as you see it.
13. But there are always more diplomatic ways of saying things, even hard truths.
14. Do not justify yourself by saying, "An editor or an agent wouldn't be diplomatic."
15. Because you are not an editor or agent. You are their colleague. There's a difference.
16. An editor or an agent can be as hardass as they like. They're professionals. They don't have time to sugar-coat things.
It's a business relationship. If they choose to be diplomatic, be grateful.
17. Smile, say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
18. And set about absorbing/adapting the requested changes.
19. Unless you think their requested changes would seriously undermine your story, your characters, the Universe,
your artistic credibility. Then it's worth going to the mat over.
20. Be very selective about what you're willing to go to the mat over.
21. Very.
22. Rethink your objections and ask yourself, "Will I eventually absorb/adapt these changes?"
23. If the answer is no, go to the mat.
24. But before you do, rethink things.
25. At least three times.
2. Smile, say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
3. Because once you get over yourself you will probably wind up absorbing and adapting most of it.
4. Unless they took a patronizing or dismissive tone.
5. But smile anyway and say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
6. Because you may wind up absorbing/adapting some of the patronizing and dismissive criticism, too.
7. But you don't ever have to deal with that person again because, really, patronizing and dismissive is the
one unforgivable sin.
8. Hardass or harsh criticism is especially hard to take. It stings.
9. Smile, say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
10. Because once you get over the hurt you will probably wind up absorbing and adapting most of it.
11. Do not assume that because someone can dish out hardass criticism they can also take it.
12. You must always tell the truth as you see it.
13. But there are always more diplomatic ways of saying things, even hard truths.
14. Do not justify yourself by saying, "An editor or an agent wouldn't be diplomatic."
15. Because you are not an editor or agent. You are their colleague. There's a difference.
16. An editor or an agent can be as hardass as they like. They're professionals. They don't have time to sugar-coat things.
It's a business relationship. If they choose to be diplomatic, be grateful.
17. Smile, say "Thank you for your input. It was extremely helpful."
18. And set about absorbing/adapting the requested changes.
19. Unless you think their requested changes would seriously undermine your story, your characters, the Universe,
your artistic credibility. Then it's worth going to the mat over.
20. Be very selective about what you're willing to go to the mat over.
21. Very.
22. Rethink your objections and ask yourself, "Will I eventually absorb/adapt these changes?"
23. If the answer is no, go to the mat.
24. But before you do, rethink things.
25. At least three times.
