How to Find the Parts that Need Work
When people tell you there’s something wrong with a story, they’re almost always right. When they tell what it is that’s wrong and how it can be fixed, they’re almost always wrong. - Neil GaimanWrite with the door closed, rewrite with the door open. - Stephen King***The answer is simple: ask other people.When I have finished writing a piece, I need a breather. There is no space between me and what I have created. The work is like a child to me: I am proud of it, I like to read it, and I think everyone will like to read it. At that point, I cannot ask others to review, because I am sure that if they do not care for it I will be crushed. Instead, I work on something else for a while.When I have forgotten the details of the piece, I begin to rewrite, and I ask a few people to read it. They are avid readers whom I trust to give me accurate feedback, but gently. And usually, they are excellent at finding the parts of the story that have problems, but - in accord with Neil Gaiman's advice - they disagree about how to fix the issue. If most or all of your friends say a portion isn't working, listen. But if they tell you what to put in its place, listen, but change it in the way that fits with your author's vision.***A few weeks ago I asked four of my close friends - two brothers, a college roommate, and my aunt - to review a short story I had written and wanted to submit to literary journals. They generously agreed, and produced feedback that pointed unanimously to some issues, disagreed on a few, and provided widely varying advice on how to fix problems. It's worth noting that they all liked different things, but didn't like the same areas. Problems stick out to everyone but you, sometimes.For example, as a new writer I had a few sections that read, "C--- said nothing." Several of my readers did not care for this phrase. It provides no further detail. If C--- was thinking, it would be clear that C--- was not saying anything. I changed the section, and am happy I did so.
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Getting Started: 4Character: 4Point of View and Tone: 4Plot and Narrative: 4Dialogue and Voice: 4Descriptive Language and Setting: 4Revision: 4Overall: 4*Level 4*