Ask M.E. #6 Editing and Critiques

Dear M.E.,
From what I can tell, there's a fine balance between accepting every critique of your writing as cold hard truth and standing up for your own writing style and voice, in spite of what the critiques say. How long did it take you to find that balance?
--Whitney

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Dear M.E.,
From what I can tell, there's a fine balance between accepting every critique of your writing as cold hard truth and standing up for your own writing style and voice, in spite of what the critiques say. How long did it take you to find that balance?
--Whitney


Dear Whitney,
It's a balancing act with every project, for sure. Especially when your editor suggests some major changes.

When I got my first edited chapter back with red splashed all over the page, I cried. Now, after years of writing, red is a beautiful color that represents growth and improvement. And a chance for me to solidify more in my mind who I am. 

The more I write, the more I'm critiqued, the more I understand who I am as a writer and my voice and my story and message. If the critiques you get want to chance any of those, they aren't good. But if the suggestions add value and clarity and brilliance to those, then follow them.

Sincerely,
M.E.