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These paragraphs were originally intended for writers of flash fiction I turned down at Mannequin Envy. This piece could use some editing itself!

I believe that in order to receive anything, whether it is charity, blessings or advice, one has to do so with open hands.  I like to think that these things are given in the same manner.  Once they are given, the giver cannot bully the receiver into demanding how they use these gifts, only trust they will be used with thoughtfulness and care.  This way the receiver has the opportunity to take the gift and use it how he or she best sees fit without guilt or obligation.

When I give critique, I give it freely.  I do not have any expectations that the writer use any or part of the suggestions I’ve given.  That is for the writer to decide.  I try to be straightforward and kind, honest and helpful.  This doesn’t mean that I believe my opinion is the only one.  Writing, as any other art expression, is always open to interpretation – mine is simply one person’s view.

When I receive critique on my own works I do a few things to prepare myself to be fully receptive.  First of all, I do not read or attend a critique on my work when I am not in the mood to be open to critical comments.  We all have times when we feel the world is attacking us and this is not the right time to be critiqued.  With E-mail, it is easy to leave the letter unopened until you are in a better mindset.

Secondly, I like to take a deep breath.  Sounds pretty feng-shui, tofu-loving, Zen-ish but it really does help.  I find it helps to mentally clear the desk and ready myself.

Next, I try and ascertain the level of experience of the reviewer.  I’ve received written critiques where the reviewer used poor grammar and misspelled words.  I’ve thrown them away before I reached the end.  “Garbage in, garbage out” is the saying, and a writer doesn’t need to take hits to his or her self-esteem from people who are not qualified to read the back of a cereal box, let alone edit it.  To give you a little background on my own qualifications, I have worked in numerous magazines, newspapers and also in print advertizing doing copy writing and editing.  I have ten years of schooling in English, German and Ancient Greek and have published poetry and short fiction in various places.  During my very first critique, the reviewer called my story ‘absurd’ and said he couldn’t understand the point of it at all.  That same story earned me a place on a television show featuring writers.  Funny how that works!  In short, know who is trying to give you advice and decide if they know more or less than you.

Finally, pick and chose.  If the person gives you a critique and you feel they don’t  understand that Suzy was abused in her childhood by Uncle Joe, therefore she’ll never ride horses again, then stop.  Breath.  Take a step back.  Is it possible that you didn’t include Uncle Joe in the story at all?  Is it possible that you’ve made too far a leap and left the reader confused?  The beauty of writing a story is that we, the writers, are privy to all this wonderful back story and character detail that may never make the final edit.  Remember that you only get one chance with a reader, especially in flash fiction, to make your point known.  If your critique says you have confused him or her, you probably have.

On the other hand, if you have been expressive in including the story about Uncle Joe and how he repeatedly used a riding crop on Suzy while she was sweeping out the barn telling her to work faster, the same crop he used on Thunder, her favourite plow horse, and therefore she could never ride Thunder again, then you might have a problem if the reviewer expresses their concern.  As one writer has said, editing is all about “murdering your darlings”.  Sometimes writers are more in love with their own words than anyone else.  Pick and choose what you are willing to cut, to rearrange, to rewrite.  Be fair to the story but also be fair to your readers.  Creating stories for the purpose of publication is not about pleasing one’s self but pleasing the reader.  “If you wish only to adore your own words, send it to your mother” was some advice I received on my last piece of work.  Harsh, but true!  Once the story is out in the world, it is no longer up to the writer to explain his or her intention; the story must do that completely on its own.  It is never a wise idea to become too attached, or fall too deeply in love, with your own work.  It makes it too hard to edit.

This leads me to the purpose of editing.  When was the last time you wrote a piece of work, poem, short story, essay or letter to the mayor, that you didn’t need to revise?  Self-editing and revision is only the first step, critiquing the next.  Workshops and mentoring may also be stops your work may take before finding its way into the hands of the publishing editor…and by then you may not even recognize your baby anymore.  How attached are you to having its nose be taken off and stitched on to its backside?

Finally, take the critique as merely one person’s opinion.  Reviewers do not have some inside track on what the majority of people enjoy, they only know what they like and what they don’t.  Your reviewer may have a deep-seated fear of dogs so critiquing a story whose narrator is a doberman pincher would probably evoke some negative comments.  Yes, critics are slightly human, too, even though it is hard to imagine!

I hope these few paragraphs have been helpful in preparing you to receive critique.  As writer Chuck Palahniuk says, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can hurt like hell.”  Be careful out there – writers are playing with sharp objects.