Waiting on Critiques

I wouldn’t have a book now if several people hadn’t given me their support and feedback. I have been blessed with fellow writers who understand that thoughtful comments offered in a respectful manner lead to improvement. The members of the Siskiyou Writers’ Club critique group gave me both the encouragement and the honest opinions I needed to shape a ragged scribble into a full-fledged novel.

It hurt sometimes. I love my characters and get invested in the story. I didn’t want to hear bad things about it, even when true. My fellow writers took my story, page by page, and applied their own perspectives, each seeing things that I missed. They didn’t like this; they thought that could be stronger; and they argued over word choice and phrasing. Sometimes it seemed like each one was reading a different story, anticipating a direction I never intended. Somewhere along the way I learned to accept their feedback in the spirit it was intended and then act on only what made sense to me. Finally none of our eyes could see clearly anymore.

I wanted to think the job was done, but I knew I had a few loose ends to tie up first—like getting some fresh eyes on it from some people I might count on for reviews. That means waiting. It’s hard to give a deadline to someone who is doing you a favor, and I shouldn’t hurry them. But I am waiting. I hate waiting. I guess I should just focus on writing the next book until all the pieces are in place to e-publish the first.

I hope my fellows find the same support and attention that they gave me, whenever they are ready for it.