The B*tch Surcharge
There are some people so not ready to be published. How do I know? When they vehemently--angrily . . . confrontationally react to even the slightest criticism. Because if you're going to put your stuff out there, there are two facts you cannot escape.
One . . . your work is going to be criticized.
Two . . . guess what? You don't get to hand-deliver your manuscript to an agent or editor. You don't get to go into their office as they read it and "explain" the parts that seem to give your CPs or contest judges, or hired editors or beta readers pause. You don't.
Consequently, I am considering instituting a B*tch Surcharge to the next manuscript I am asked to edit. If the author is nothing but wonderful, the surcharge is not invoked. The B*tch Surcharge is also applicable to men. Just because they have a penis doesn't mean that can't be a B*tch.
As an aside . . . I have an editor friend at a major house. She works with a major name. She would LOVE to tack on the B*tch Surcharge. But my editor friend and I have decided . . . B*tches are born, not made. They are B*tches of long-standing, mulched with the manure of success.
Unbeknownst to me, Nathan Bransford wrote on this topic a few days ago. He called it something different.
Be gracious to criticism. Don't be defensive. In short, get over yourself.
Thoughts?
One . . . your work is going to be criticized.
Two . . . guess what? You don't get to hand-deliver your manuscript to an agent or editor. You don't get to go into their office as they read it and "explain" the parts that seem to give your CPs or contest judges, or hired editors or beta readers pause. You don't.
Consequently, I am considering instituting a B*tch Surcharge to the next manuscript I am asked to edit. If the author is nothing but wonderful, the surcharge is not invoked. The B*tch Surcharge is also applicable to men. Just because they have a penis doesn't mean that can't be a B*tch.
As an aside . . . I have an editor friend at a major house. She works with a major name. She would LOVE to tack on the B*tch Surcharge. But my editor friend and I have decided . . . B*tches are born, not made. They are B*tches of long-standing, mulched with the manure of success.
Unbeknownst to me, Nathan Bransford wrote on this topic a few days ago. He called it something different.
Be gracious to criticism. Don't be defensive. In short, get over yourself.
Thoughts?
Labels: critics, critique partners
posted by Erica Orloff at 6:41 AM
34 Comments:
I call this the PITA Tax, actually, and PITA stands for Pain In The A** and sometimes the PITA Tax is levied BEFORE, if I know what the client is like.
And I know what you mean.
Mark:
Amen, Brother.
E
You know how I feel about criticism: anyone asking for assistance on a manuscript should sign a waiver. The waiver should say "I understand I'm going to be criticized, and my signature below acknowledges I'm aware harsh criticism is coming. Furthermore I acknowledge that compliments will be as fleeting as finger rings of smoke in a north wind."
I did a little critiquing for one of your regulars here a while back, and I have to say she was altogether gracious and receptive toward my ideas/changes. I've run across a lot of writers who aren't, though, and I think they just shouldn't even try to get published.
Right on, sister!
Stephen:
The thing is . . . I tend to be a very gracious editor. I don't rip people a new one (which I know is something you seem to enjoy--LOL!). So when I encounter the B*tch Surcharge, I KNOW the writer is a total B*tch on Wheels.
E
Jude:
Amen.
E
Tena:
HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice to see you emerge in cyberspace. Hope the book is going well.
E
The surcharge doesn't have to be levied up front, I think certain people amass it without being aware. I've done critiques for people who respond in a way that has insured I will be busy should they ever ask me to look at another thing--even if that means I'm busy watching my grass grow!
Burning bridges costs!
The need to argue and defend makes me think an author doesn't know themselves or their stuff as well as they like to pretend. I got an email yesterday from an RWA contest I'd written off because it was supposed to end the 17th, no big deal. Opened the mail ready to look at my score sheets and chew over the input. I'm a finalist! 2 near perfect score sheets, 1 from a pubbed author, 1 from a trained member, skimmed those and read the pro member(who marked me considerably lower in three areas) Ya know what, in two of the areas she was dead on. In a shake my head, why the hell didn't I see that kinda way.
Cool, because I have a week to make corrections on the sucker before it hits the editors hands.
Wish me luck.
And since I have run on mouth this morning, that's pretty much how I view all crits, if you say nothing but good I immediately assume you're blowing smoke because if I thought the damn thing was perfect, I wouldn't have asked for input in the first place! I guess not only my gut but my gut instinct is growing. Neat. =)
Lainey:
I agree. Defensiveness is a sign something's "off." I got defensive about a really meaningful (to me) book not that long ago. I just realize now it usually means I need to step back.
E
Uh oh! Somebody roused the "Earth Mother's" temper! Sorta like the idiots in third grade who "didn't get it"?
What some aspiring/perspiring writers don't get is that even the "big names" got criticized / still get criticized. It goes with the turf.
If you don't want criticism, don't be a writer.
JLK;
LOL!!! THANK YOU! I needed a smile this morning, and you just gave it to me, my dear JLK. No, I'm not mad. Just weary. But I do feel better now that I vented on my blog.
Blog Therapy. Cheaper than seeing a shrink, and twice as much fun. I get to visit with all of you.
And you're right. I read about (where?? I think Dear Author??) an author who got so mad about a review she was like . . . insane about it and defending her work on loops and so on. I really don't know all the ins and outs. But it amused me.
E
I literally have to plead with my editors to get criticism, and even then, I mostly don't get it unless there's something glaring.
I'm all about creating a polished and "perfect" product before anyone sees it, even DH, but ... I can't get my writing any more polished than it is, on my own. I feel like I've maxed out what I can do all by myself.
My number one motivation for getting published by NY is the hope to work with a real, live editor. If I want to make my stories better, I need other people's input.
And I will definitely say thank you. No, I'll probably be slobbering and kissing their feet like a puppy dog. From someone who goes without for most of the time, I just don't understand how anyone cannot be immensely grateful!
(The explaining bit makes me tired, too. I now critique selfishly, as in, if I can learn something from it, cool. Then if they explain it all away, it doesn't matter. And some people just have to explain before they can digest. I don't know why.)
I think an ample portion of those b*tches probably end up as self-published authors.
It is such a gift to receive wise, constructive criticism. I do not understand the defensiveness. I WANT to know what I do wrong, what I do well, and what I need to do to be a better writer.
Please critique me. How else am I going to learn to be a better writer?
Love this post. And the people who don't like to be critiqued? Whenever I meet someone who is seriously not having a good day, my main thought is sucks to be you in a nice way actually. I'm grateful to not be feeling that way. Lord knows I get bitchy about other things.
OT: Chris Eldin sent me over to check out your blog. She said:
You should check out "Erica" listed on my sidebar.
Another physicist/writerly type!
She'd understand your equation!
I'm glad she gave me the push. Nice to read you!
Hi Spy:
That was one of the biggest thrills about getting my first book contract!
E
Heather:
Unfortunately, I think, with the POD craze, they're becoming more and more common. There's most definitely room for self-pubbing, particuarly in non-fiction niches. But there are personalities drawn to it for reasons having to do with being unable to take criticism.
E
Sarah:
Yes, it DOES suck to be such a crabby person! I have to remember that. Thanks for the smile. And thanks for visiting!
E
Fantastic post, as usual. Great therapy. Welcome to group. Do we get jackets? or just a fancy-schmancy hand-shake?
Where I am is in a wonderful place called "I don't know what is wrong with it but it is too horrid to have an editor look at it". Lovely place. The orchids are blooming and the geraniums are happy - which of course means I am lying because those two can never be happy in the same place.
Sigh. The trees have run away and the forest is closing in for the kill...
I hate criticism. It's like having someone attack your baby. But I also know it's necessary to make my work good enough to publish and am grateful when it's done constructively. It's difficult enough to find really good people to read your work. To be angry because they're trying to help you is just stupid.
ewoh:
LOL!!! I laughed out loud for real. I know that place. Been there. I packed as quickly as I could and got out.
Yes, you get a jacket--like from high school when you did a sport. A big letter C on it for the Couch.
E
anti-wife:
This is one of the few times I have been "negative" on the blog about people taking criticism. In general, I am often "harder" on those who GIVE critiques because I sincerely believe it is an art--and often-lost art. But there is art to doing it well, and it is a privilege when someone shares with you and should be honored as such. Not just critique to make yourself seem clever, for snark. So . . . it's a two-way street.
E
Strangely, sometimes I wish for stronger criticism because I really want to perfect my manuscript. I love when someone has changes or suggestions that make my work better. If someone makes a change I don't understand, I love mulling it over and figuring it out.
All I want is for my book to be well-written -- and that's never a solitary process. It's my writing, my words - but in a way it's a book by committee.
I agree. I don't agree with every single bit of every single crit I'm given. And I don't feel compelled to change those things I truly don't agree with. But...if more than one person says the same thing, I take it into consideration.
If I don't want to change a single word, then I can stay unpublished. I think if you want publication it's all a compromise.
My days as a Texas high school football ref trained me to deal with criticism. Nothing an agent , editor, or critiquer can say will ever compare to the things I herd from coaches and fans.
Hi Amy:
That's why I have the blog. It can SEEM solitary, but it doesn' thave to be,
E
zoe:
It CAN sting. It's our personal art. But it's important to let the art form grow.
E
travis:
My Buddhist path doesn't like competition, so my kids are drawn to solitary sports--martial arts. Or music (not a sport, but you get the idea). Or art.
What little I have seen of what you did as a ref. You have my sympathies, pal.
E
Love the bitch surcharge idea. lol I've critiqued for people who blew off my suggestions. They wanted me to tell them that I loved it. That's their perogative, but I won't critique for them again.
Hi Edie:
It's totally fine for people to . . . whatever . . . not accept what I say. But, I agree, to dismiss it out of hand is ungracious.
E
Criticism it good. It creates change, new direction. I relish it (except for in my cooking).
Muse:
NOTHING pisses me off more than disparaging my cooking!
E
I love this! But I would call it the Asshole surcharge. Cause I like being called a bitch. It doesn't bother me, but being an asshole is something completely different, and that is what I feel when someone flips out on you for giving them well deserved and nice criticism.
ello:
I don't mind being called a bitch. I know a lot of people think that of me. Truly. I always try to be kind and compassionate . . . but f*ck with my kids and all bets are off. My oldest son has had a horrid science teacher this year, for example. I am pretty sure she thinks I am Satan. But I won't have anyone denigrate my kid because they don't "get" him or aren't going to give him a chance because he has long hair or whatever their beef is. There is a neighbor up the street whom I will probably never speak to again because he was such a jerk to my little girl. I am not nasty, just . . . not going to let you pick on my kids.
ANYWAY, I agree, Nathan B. is probably right. A-hole is more apt.
E
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