Seeing Patterns

While we type away on As-Yet Untitled Ghost Novel #2 the feedback has stared coming in on As-Yet Untitled Ghost Novel #1, and we have detected a potential pattern. Well, a couple of patterns. For one, our readers are saying a lot of the same nice things about the writing. For two, and more important, they appear to be in agreement about some opportunities for improvement.

Getting feedback is essential, but it takes a little practice to learn how to apply it. The temptation can be to try to “fix” everything that each critiquer pointed out, but you’ll end up running in circles that way when they all bring up different, often contradictory things. So, don’t let the trees block your view of the forest.

What’s important is patterns. If more than one person mentions the same thing, it’s probably significant. During the critique group meeting, did anyone go, “Oh yeah, same here,” when someone else raised a point? Then that point’s probably important. Sometimes you’ll have to analyze the aggregate notes to find the pattern. And sometimes you’ll have just make your own decisions about which suggestions make sense to you. You’re allowed to disregard anything anyone says. Better to leave your own mistakes in the story than to swap them for someone else’s.

Going over the feedback with a partner is extremely helpful. They bring another set of eyes and ears to catch those patterns, plus they’re a sounding board for figuring out which ideas help the story and which ones don’t. Working with a partner gives you a backup gut-check about which notes to disregard.

A writing partner helps you detect patterns in the data, and helps you understand what they mean.