In posts over the last weeks and months, I’ve referenced the editor/author relationship a lot, because it’s an important one to me. Most of these articles* have to do with behavior—most specifically, behaving like a professional, keeping the interactions cordial and focused on the business at hand.
But I think I’ve found the definitive list that will allow me to quit talking about this: “How to Take Criticism Like a Pro,” by author J. E. Fishman. This article appears at Kristen Lamb’s blog, so you’ll want to scroll down past the introductory material and the author photo to get to the actual article.
Fishman asks if your writing is something you do for fun—a hobby—or if you want to move it to the next level. He says, “How do we get out of the bush leagues and behave more professionally?” and then notes that the way we take criticism is the dividing line:
• A pro respects roles.
• A pro separates the work from himself.
• A pro seeks opportunities to learn from criticism.
• A pro looks for the source of the problem, not easy fixes.
• A pro hears what is not said.
• A pro accepts challenges.
• A pro never argues, never rebuts.
• A pro doesn’t belittle the messenger.
• A pro understands no one is perfect.
Those last two are key. I have been blessed in my professional relationships—even if they were still learning the process, most of the writers I’ve dealt with have been grownups. (And by that I mean a grownup—a pro—recognizes his own humanity, and knows that to be human is to be imperfect. Let me tell you how freeing that is!) But every once in a while, I get rattled. 🙂
This is a great article that expands on this theme. Have a look! And happy Saturday!
* Here are just a few:
Anticipation (of Your Editorial Notes)
Are You Ready for Some Editing?
How to Recognize a Professional
If You Want to Run With the Big Dogs
It’s Always Something
My Name Isn’t On the Book But My Fingerprints Are
You Can Lead a Horse to Water
You’re Asking Me What?
Tweet: 9 steps to taking criticism like a pro.
Tweet: Is your writing a hobby—or do you want to move it to the next level?
Tweet: The way we take criticism is the dividing line between an amateur & a pro.
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