How Many Eyes are Too Many?
By Andrea Merrell
But I thought the more eyes the better, you might be thinking.
Sometimes that’s true, depending on the eyes. At
other times it can be a source of confusion and frustration. Why? Because
everyone sees from a different perspective and has their own opinion of what
works and what doesn’t.
I’ve found this true in my own writing. From
critique groups to beta readers to feedback from contests to appointments at
writers’ conferences, I’ve gotten a plethora of comments on the same project.
Trying to please everyone, I spent years attempting to incorporate all the
differing suggestions. What I got for my efforts was a bucketful of
discouragement.
So, what’s a writer to do? Isn’t feedback
important? Absolutely. That’s how we learn and grow. Hone our craft and polish
our prose. The key is in finding the right eyes.
Let’s face it. Not everyone will applaud what we
write. Maybe they don’t like our writing style. Maybe it’s not a genre they
enjoy—or understand. Or maybe the timing is wrong. I’ve found that some folks
will be hesitant—not wanting to be unkind—to give constructive criticism while
others will use their editorial machete to rip apart your work no matter what.
There will even be those who want to reword and rewrite your work in their own
voice.
Am I trying to discourage you from seeking advice?
Not at all. I’m only suggesting that you choose your critique partners
carefully and limit the amount of feedback you seek while you are writing your
story. Too much second-guessing will discourage you, destroy your confidence,
and keep you working on the same project for years to come.
Once you finish your manuscript, you will go back
through it a dozen times making your own changes. After all, good writing means
write, proof, edit, rewrite … rinse and repeat. Having input from those you
trust will go a long way in helping you present your best work, but in the end,
the story belongs to you.
My best advice is to take the suggestions given
and weigh them carefully. If you feel they’re a good fit, use them. If not, put
them aside. You might end up using them another time.
What about you? Have you ever experienced the
too-many-eyes syndrome?
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