October 3, 2011

Critiques are very valuable, but in the end, you have to be the judge of your own stories. You have to believe in your own writing. And trust me, negative critiques come to everyone.

I was reminded of such a case when my granddaughter was here overnight recently and wanted to watch two Narnia movies we have on DVD. I was pulled into the magic of the stories again right along with her. I love C.S. Lewis‘ books, both his adult works and those for children.

Going Beyond Criticism

He’s probably most famous among children’s writers for his Chronicles of Narnia books (and now movies). Surely his books were well received from the beginning, right? No–his critique partner (none other than J.R.R. Tolkien of The Lord of the Rings fame) didn’t like it.

From C.S. Lewis Through the Shadowlands: The Story of His Life with Joy Davidman: “When Jack [C.S. Lewis] had completed his story about four children who discover a magic wardrobe and, through it, find a way into the land of Narnia, he showed it to Tolkien, who was unimpressed. Feeling, perhaps, that Jack had aimed rather more at achieving an effect than at creating an Other World of the kind he was writing about in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien told him that ‘It really won’t do, you know!’ Jack was discouraged and put the book to one side for a while before returning to it and rewriting the first few chapters. However, he still felt uncertain about whether it was any good or not, and decided to ask the advice of someone else.” 

Thankfully the second person he asked was more enthusiastic. Jack then went on to complete this book, which became the first Narnia book: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Re-evaluate

What about you? Do you have a story that still resonates with you–but you put it away because someone didn’t care for it? I do. And I’ve dug out both unfinished novels to look at again.

While it’s good to get outside feedback, don’t let negative feedback be the deciding factor. If you do, you just might deprive the world of stories that will inspire for generations.

5 Comments »

1. 

   You’re right, it’s hard to not get discouraged when someone doesn’t like your manuscript, but the next person to read it could love it. I always try to get more than one opinion on anything that I write. Thanks for the thoughts! Great post!

   Comment by Jennifer Rumberger — October 3, 2011 @ 6:05 pm

2. 

   Jennifer, you’re so right. No matter where you are in your career, get more than one opinion. I’ve made the mistake of taking opinions and letting them unduly influence me (negatively). No one but you knows for sure what you’re trying to say in your book…

   Comment by Kristi Holl — October 3, 2011 @ 7:30 pm

3. 

   All through my growing-up years, I wanted to be an artist. By grade 11, I was focusing on becoming a Graphic Designer. I signed up for an independent learning course in graphic design — it was one I could take during my school hours (the school would send in my work to the teacher for me). That teacher told me I draw like a 2 year old. And, that was enough to have me give up the dream of being a graphic designer, and go on to something else.

   But, looking back, oh, how I wish I hadn’t let one person’s negativity hold me back from following my (then) passion. Lesson learned… I hope.

   ~MizB

   Comment by MizB — October 4, 2011 @ 5:52 am

4. 

   MizB, your story is more common than you might think. Anytime our self-esteem is shaky (whether because we are young, or have been rejected personally, or whatever) we are prone to take even one negative opinion seriously. Maybe you will STILL go on to be a graphic designer!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — October 5, 2011 @ 5:33 am

5. 

   Years ago, when I was in highschool, I let the negative comments from an English teacher spoil my enthusiasm for writing. In hindsight, I could see that this teacher was more interested in being seen as the “popular teacher” than on encouraging a student to read and write.

   Here I am, thirty plus years later, and I’m rediscovering my passion for writing.

   Comment by Robert Lee — October 20, 2011 @ 10:45 am

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website