In the writing game, many people can have opinions on how, why, and what you should write. I have had several author friends come and ask my opinion on what I think of other’s peoples opinions of their style, or the stories they have written.
My answer to them has always been the same, "Whose story is it?" By no means am I saying don’t take constructive criticism, but this can also spring fires of doubt in the writer’s mind, skills, and writing ability. Editors get paid to help your story along for consistency, grammar, and structure.
You the writer have already envisioned what your story is, how the book looks, how you would like to be received by your audience. Follow your heart and only take advice from people you trust, have your best interest at heart, and can be brutally honest with you. If you feel their advice will enhance your story then take it. Also make sure you have done your best in researching and applying your best writer’s efforts. Any book store has plenty of books on the art of writing and the dynamics of writing. You can always take a community college course or workshops like the Black Writer’s Reunion Workshop.
Even veteran writers take courses and read books that help us get better. You should also be learning from reading other novels. What was your favorite book and why? What was your worse book and why? You can learn from both of these. When you walk into a book store ask yourself; what separates your books form the other 20,000 books that are there? Your voice, that’s what.
Like Donna Hills, Eric Jerome Dickey, Walter Mosley, and Victoria Christopher Murray, each have a unique voice and has formed a large following. Think of it as in the music industry. When you turn on the radio and hear a song, within the first few notes you can recognize Frankie Beverly and Maze, Erykah Badu, Michael Jackson, the Isley Brothers, Gap Band, James Brown, etc. You get my point, each have a unique voice and sound. We as writers have to do the same thing.
Find yours and trust yourself. Do your best and then do better through your editing process. I tell people all the time; I am not an editor, I’m a writer. I rely heavily on my editor to clean up my work and dynamics. I can tell a story and know a good story when I read it. Take advice, but don’t let it get you to a point where you are confused and it stifles your voice. Please yourself first, make sure you are happy with your project and everything will fall into place, after all…it’s your story! Stay true to yourself.
Vincent Alexandria
Vincent, thanks for the great advice.
Wonderful advice, Vincent! This is especially true for people in critique groups, where cultural differences may pose comprehension problems among members. If you know your own direction and tone, you'll know which suggestions will enhance and which will take your voice away.
Bettye Griffin
Vincent, my inner editor/former English teacher persona has wrestled me into pointing out to you that in both instances where you use the word "each" it should be followed by a singular verb. "Each" means "each one". The "one" is understood.
I hope you're not offended because I truly mean to help, in the same way that I would consider it a favor if others pointed out my lapses to me. I learn something every day, and that's the way it should be. Just this week I learned that I've been mispronouncing "automaton" all my life.
As for editors cleaning up, well, it seems that these days they're so overburdened that they're not coping with this the way they used to. Most editors now don't seem to do line edits, and too many books are getting into print with too many glaring errors, so it's up to the writer to make sure his/her manuscript is the best that it can be.
I agree with your observation that writers should learn which criticisms to take to heart and which to ignore, and to hold on to their vision rather than try to please everyone.
Peace out.