From the moment I printed that first copy
of my book and gave it to a friend to read, I exposed myself to judgment. It
was the most terrifying experience of my life, except perhaps my first day of
teaching and singing a solo in my singing class last year – I learned the true meaning of ‘petrified’.
 |
| Petrificus totalus |
But in return for
my bravery, I got advice.
I have done my fair share of editing and
reviewing others’ work (not least because I’m a teacher and in my field that’s
called marking English books), and I know how hard it is to be constructive, to
point at the things that require improvement without being negative or imposing
how you would have written it.
But I also know that receiving advice is
harder still. First of all you have to get over the part of yourself that says
your work is flawless and couldn’t possibly be improved. Then it’s to lick your
wounds and recover some pride. And finally, you need to decide what to do with
the advice. Not all advice is good or will make sense to you, but I’ve often
heard it said that if you get the same comment over and over again, or if it
rings true to you, then it’s probably worth acting on. Out of all the advice
and comments I have received thus far, I have only ignored a couple and that’s
because they went against what my book was about fundamentally. You can imagine
what I thought of it. Images of cattle and feces come to mind.
I have to say, though, that it’s been a lot
less painful than I had anticipated. Like my ‘writing coming-out’, receiving
advice becomes easier the more you get. I have recently given my book to
beta-read to my boyfriend, and his insights (and massacre of my book) have not
even wounded my ego one bit – and for once I say this sincerely. Not a tear,
not even a flinch of the heart.
The fact that I had stalled in the editing
process has helped, because I am grateful for a fresh pair of eyes to point out
what I no longer see but know needs improving. If anything it has actually got
me quite excited about seeing what changes he has made, and I enjoy being able
to discuss what I could change.
Another proof that, as many things
(plasters and exams amongst other things) it’s the worrying beforehand that’s
painful. Once you get it over and done with, it’s fine. Really.
So if you’re a scared amateur-writer, go
ahead, take the plunge and share your words. Yes, you know who you are. It gets
better, I promise.
Just let it go.
