What To Do When The Writing Sucks
image from iactuate.com
The Editor at an organization I belong to posted a dilemma on one of the forum boards the other day. The organization is 100% ad free and does a lot of independent reviews on a variety of items that are of interest to the membership. It’s kind of a great system because the reviews are honest and straightforward. As a member, I know I can trust a review published in the magazine or on the web site.
The dilemma is that she recently received an item to review that sucked. Hard. The product had virtually no value or use for the intended market. She decided to pose the question to the readership in the forum for how to best handle this delicate situation. Totally understandable. Who wants to crap in anyone’s Cheerios?
If you are a writer and you spend any time with social media like Twitter or Facebook you may be tempted to help a person out who is looking for someone to review a piece of their writing. Personally, I think it’s a very cool thing to do. I like helping other writers in any way I can. Whenever I volunteer to do one of these things I never really know what I’m going to get. Fortunately, about 90% are not too bad. Coolio, but then there’s that other 10% isn’t there?
So how do you handle it when the writing someone sends you to review starts stinking up the joint as soon as it hits your in box? The easy answer is that there is no easy answer. A couple of things. First, in nearly all of these instances, the review is gratis. I’ve been in a few situations where the stinky writing is from a paid client and there is a little different level of obligation there. I actually feel more comfortable making someone eat a big ol’ onion sandwich if they are paying me money. You know about the onion sandwich thing, right? The onion is the bad news. When you have to give bad news, try and give as much bread (good news) as possible to make the onion easier to eat.
When I am reviewing work for someone on a free basis, I’m more inclined to close one of my critical eyes and concentrate on all of the things they did right. I might point out the major foibles but I’m not going to blast them out of the water for improper comma, use. Disingenuous? Maybe. I’d rather be tried for an act of omission instead of an act of commission. Sue me.
I’m interesting in hearing if any of you have been in a similar situation and if so how you handled it. As well, how did it turn out? How did you feel about the feedback you gave?
About the Author: A writer living in Alaska. A simple man with few passions: My daughter, writing, soccer and now and then a good cigar.
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen | Apr 20, 2011 | Reply
I love the onion analogy, George — I thought I knew what it meant until you described it. Your explanation is much better than my imagination
The best thing you can do for writers who are serious about improving their writing skills is be honest. The thing is, some writers just want to be stroked, while others are determined to see their writing objectively, willing to accept criticism, and able to see that negative feedback is more valuable than all the praise in the world.
Ultimately, I think the whole “what to do when writing sucks” depends on the writer and what he or she wants from you. Some writers don’t wanna dig deep — and that’s fine! Those are the easy writers to give feedback to
How’s it going, George? Is life being kind?
Blessings,
Laurie
tumblemoose | Apr 22, 2011 | Reply
Hi Laurie,
Thanks for coming by here. I agree that being as honest as possible is the most helpful strategy. Interestingly enough, the day this posted I received a guest post from someone and while the writing doesn’t necessarily suck, her concept of the topic is way off and inaccurate. I can’t use it. I’m in the position of telling her no thanks.
In some respects, life is being kind, Laurie. Struggling in other areas, but I guess that is what life is all about.
George
Mark | Apr 23, 2011 | Reply
George,
A topic that’s a bit too near the bone for many, I fear. I agree: honesty is needed, but how to do that and not appear callous? Tough one. About to chat about that in a new psot …
Mark