Writing from the Place: TEN THINGS TO DO AFTER RECEIVING A REVISION LETTER
...or a critique. Because hearing others tell us what needs to be changed in our work can be painful.
Because we are in love with our stories.
And we think they are perfect.
And we can't imagine why the world doesn't feel this way, too.
But reality hits and the critique comes in, and our rosy colored world can come crashing down.
(um, if this hasn't happened to you, then you're either the rare, perfect author, or you aren't getting enough feedback on your work. You decide.)
We here at The Place (being K. A. Holt, Jessica Lee Anderson , E. Kristin Anderson, Madeline Smoot, and sometimes member Jenny Ziegler) have come up with a list to help you cope with this event.
We give you...
TEN THINGS TO DO AFTER RECEIVING A REVISION LETTER (or critique):
1) Drink eight cups of coffee
We recommend picking a favorite coffee mug for this step, and avoid anything that can be crushed (such as Styrofoam).
2) Hide the critique in the freezer
Things have a way of getting lost in the freezer, at least in mine. I'm thinking the critique could hang out with that half-full bag of frozen peas that never seems to get used. Or maybe those ice cubes in the far back that you have to chip off the walls.
3) Tell your cat or dog or tortoises about it
The love you. They agree with you. They listen and never tire of hearing your voice.
And they think you are the rare, perfect author.
4) Commiserate with writer friends at The Place.
Unless of course they were the ones to give you the critique. In that case, go back to step (3).
5) Cry.
6) Bury yourself in a plate of nachos and eat your way out.
If you're going gluten-free, substitute yogurt and nuts for this step.
(But come on, you know you want the nachos.)
7) Take up belly dancing.
You would look fab in that belly dancing costume.
8) Use your Kung Fu skills to pummel a pillow
9) Try to hold off on responding for as long as possible.
Except for a nice thank you. There is always a place for a nice thank you in the world.
10) Read or watch something inspiring and make a plan of attack.
I recommend this video.
And then get busy revising!
Because we are in love with our stories.
And we think they are perfect.
And we can't imagine why the world doesn't feel this way, too.
But reality hits and the critique comes in, and our rosy colored world can come crashing down.
(um, if this hasn't happened to you, then you're either the rare, perfect author, or you aren't getting enough feedback on your work. You decide.)
We here at The Place (being K. A. Holt, Jessica Lee Anderson , E. Kristin Anderson, Madeline Smoot, and sometimes member Jenny Ziegler) have come up with a list to help you cope with this event.
We give you...
TEN THINGS TO DO AFTER RECEIVING A REVISION LETTER (or critique):
1) Drink eight cups of coffee
We recommend picking a favorite coffee mug for this step, and avoid anything that can be crushed (such as Styrofoam).
2) Hide the critique in the freezer
Things have a way of getting lost in the freezer, at least in mine. I'm thinking the critique could hang out with that half-full bag of frozen peas that never seems to get used. Or maybe those ice cubes in the far back that you have to chip off the walls.
3) Tell your cat or dog or tortoises about it
The love you. They agree with you. They listen and never tire of hearing your voice.
And they think you are the rare, perfect author.
4) Commiserate with writer friends at The Place.
Unless of course they were the ones to give you the critique. In that case, go back to step (3).
5) Cry.
6) Bury yourself in a plate of nachos and eat your way out.
If you're going gluten-free, substitute yogurt and nuts for this step.
(But come on, you know you want the nachos.)
7) Take up belly dancing.
You would look fab in that belly dancing costume.
8) Use your Kung Fu skills to pummel a pillow
9) Try to hold off on responding for as long as possible.
Except for a nice thank you. There is always a place for a nice thank you in the world.
10) Read or watch something inspiring and make a plan of attack.
I recommend this video.
And then get busy revising!
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