Some writers,
when hosting a workshop,
will offer a free critique
to participants.
I ALWAYS take them up
on this offer.
If I have one available,
I’ll send them work
that has already been through
a round of edits.
Why?
Because the writer
is unlikely
to say that work is perfect.
She will look for something
to improve
and that area of improvement
is likely to be
something
my usual editor
doesn’t pick up on.
It is a next level
critique,
a critique
that will push my writing
forward.
“Don’t defend your work
with the generous critic.
The entire point
of getting better
is to eagerly abandon
the approaches
you were taking
on your way
to gaining new skills
that are more effective.”
Look for ways
and critics
that will push your work
to the next level.