On Critiques

"People ask you for criticism,

.....but they only want praise."

Somerset Maugham

I really don't know what I was thinking. Swept up in the auction atmosphere, some months ago I bid on and won, a thirty page critique by an author I admire, Stuart Kaminsky. One month passed, then two, then I shelved the book I was writing and took my series character on a different adventure closer to home. I had just started that book when I got a friendly reminder from the folks at Sleuthfest about my critique. Now, I don't belong to a writing group, I don't have that one trusted soul who sees my scribblings long before anyone else does (every time I show anything to my husband, he tells me I'm great. Good for the ego, but not especially helpful.) So I'm not used to showing anyone my writing before I'm ready.

Stuart Kaminsky is not my husband, and chances are, he's not going to tell me I'm great. How do you handle criticism in the early stages of a book?

HALLIE: With gratitude and taking copious notes. I think the biggest mistake I've seen authors make is to argue with the poor soul whose only misstep thus far in life has been to offer to critique a manuscript. The author goes into overdrive, explaining WHY it's written the way it is when s/he should shut up, listen, and try to understand why it's not working. Hey, everyone's early draft needs work. And I'm so jealous that Stuart Kaminsky is giving your 30 pages a once-over. Can't wait to read your "after" blog.

JAN: You've got to remember, Stuart Kaminisky wouldn't have volunteered to do this, if he didn't think he could do it with diplomacy. Unless a fellow writer is completely insensitive, he's going to understand that you are at a vulnerable stage. In other words, he's not going to rip you to shreds, he's just going to offer constructive advice, which you must have wanted when you bid on this particular prize. I've gone from worrying what my writers group is going to say -- years ago -- to hoping they can figure out what's wrong with a particular scene or chapter. Critique is a good thing. And if it's off the mark for your particular book, you'll know that too. Have confidence, Ro! This is growth!

HANK: Open mind! Insert good ideas. We're so--okay, I'll say it, I'M so-- competitive. I always want to get the A grade or win or be the best or get the pat on the head. But with a critique, we have to remember that's not the goal. It's not like you're getting a grade. You're getting the use of an expert's experience, ideas, opinion, imagination, secrets. And that someone has offered to help you get to another place. Praise is nice, and any thoughtful critiquer will give it. But the real value is in the fixes. The open doors. The pointing in the right direction so you can be the best you can be.
I've had 18 news directors in my 22 years in Boston TV. Each reads the scripts of my investigative stories before they go on the air. Some news directors are so savvy, I can't wait to see how they'll tweak to make the stories better. A critique from an experienced, careful, clever person? It's incredibly exciting.

Ro: You guys are so supportive! I love it.. I'm ready... Bring him on!

Girls Just Wanna have Fun....

I confess I was back and forth on whether to even go to Sleuthfest. My first book is 10 months
from publication, I didn't know anyone else who was going, and I'd heard that it was a much smaller event than Malice Domestic. Besides...Florida...all those blondes, all that conditioned air...
Well, imagine my surprise. There were a few ups and downs - one or two panels that weren't what I expected, and I couldn't get the Mets/Marlins games in the hotel, go figure, but that aside, Sleuthfest was terrific. One of the advantages of its being a somewhat smaller show is that you can actually have some face time with panelists, ask a lot of questions, and feel like you get to know some of your fellow attendees. I hung with Catherine and Joanne a lot but had a chance to chat up Shannon, Demetra, Karen, Rhonda, Chris, and lots of other writers.
Especially generous with information was Nancy J. Cohen, http://www.nancyjcohen.com/ author of The Bad Hair Day Mysteries who handled all of her panel duties professionally (and with handouts!) as opposed to just bloviating about "her craft."
Two highlights for me - needless to say the picture above is one. The incredibly generous Kate White http://www.katewhite.com/ and Linda Fairstein http://www.lindafairstein.com/ who cheerfully submitted to the photo op, and proved they really were that cool at their interview, and book signings the next day. The other highlight was the Sleuthfest auction, where I'm thrilled to say I scored a critique by Stuart Kaminsky http://www.stuartkaminsky.com/. Needless to say, I will be rewriting that baby a few dozen times before submitting it to the master. Another highlight? JAKonrath's Workshop. The patron saint of new writers, Konrath writes the Newbie's Guide to Publishing...chockfull of good advice ...check it out at www.jakonrath.com.

Rosemary