Day 6: Criticism Moves You Places

Giving your work to trusted readers can move it to higher levels. Always be open to good criticism. But what is good criticism?

Positive criticism is that which is offered sincerely in the hopes of giving you ideas that can improve a piece. Good criticism is not offering another perspective on where a story should go. Good criticism does not seek to change the intention of the writer.

You may be told to go deeper with your work. This is code for suggesting that you can provide your reader with more intimate involvement with your characters. While potentially deflating, it is excellent criticism as it tells you that the reader thinks you can give more of your characters and more of yourself into your work.

If your critiquer offers criticsm but cannot articulate why they don't like x or y in your story, you need to look hard about what is being offered.

To grow creatively, we sometimes need to prodded by gentle friends. Look at what is being offered and make your own choice. Does the suggestion potentially improve your work? That is a question for you to think about and answer as the artist. Just be open to the ideas offered by good criticism. In the end, it's up to you.