Neil Gaiman Critiques Quotation
Neil Gaiman critiques quotation, and a writers take on being critiqued. #NeilGaiman #NeilGaimanQuotation #NeilGaimanQuote #writing #critque
Remember: when people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you what exactly they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong. ~Neil Gaiman
As a writer, one of the most exciting and potentially devastating things you can do is to hand someone your story to read. You’ve agonized and slaved over every word choice, every turn of phrase, every punctuation point. And you’ve become emotionally attached to your characters, lived with them, breathed life into them, you know them better than you may know yourself.
Once the work is in another’s hand, you wait for a response. You watch the reader’s face for the hint of a smile, the rise of an eyebrow, a grimace, a laugh. And then, the reader offers a critique.
Now the writer needs to decipher the cryptic code. Some critiques may be of things that had niggled at you, which makes it an easy fix. Other comments may point out minor issues or illuminate significant plot problems. And still, others may hurt to the core.
No matter what the critique, search for its validation, fix it, and move on if you find no basis. You’ll find some comments or suggestions that spark your creativity and lead you to strengthen your writing. But always remember to be true to yourself and your story.
