LETTERS
STAR LETTER
CRITICAL THINKING
As writers we are putting ourselves open to criticism each time we post online or send a piece of work out to editors. It’s like saying, ‘This is me; do you like me?’
Rejection slips are hard to take, but part and parcel of being a writer. If everything we sent out was accepted, everyone would be writing books. Try to take something good from the rejection. For instance, they let you know they didn’t want it, better than ignoring you altogether.
So become your own critic. Take a step back and be honest. What do you see? If you are to develop as a writer you must be truthful, and examine your writing under a microscope. Here I am, being honest. I am a lazy writer. When I see the brief for a competition, I immediately wonder what I’ve already got that would suit. I have a fleeting thought of writing something specifically for the slot, and that’s all it is, a thought. On re-reading my children’s story Summer on the Heath, I can see that chapter five is the same as chapter four. Nothing has changed; I didn’t move the story on. I flit too quickly over a situation instead of getting right into it. I’m rushing all the time, and thinking ahead about my next piece of writing instead of perfecting what I’ve already written.
Recently I’ve re-read a story which has been around the womag market. The mistakes stand out. Even though the story has potential, it needs dusting and polishing, possibly rearranging. Come along with me, sharpen your pencil, and develop your skills. Puts me in mind of knitting a jumper and not sewing it up tidily. From now on I’m going to read and re-read, and breathe freshness into the work. If we can be as critical as we can with our own work, then we can learn from comments that come from posts online and submissions.