Hard Critiques Make Good Writing Great

This past Friday was the last day of co-op where I teach creative writing. This was my second year teaching and several of my students from the year prior decided that they wanted to attempt a novel writing class. So this year that’s just what we did. In total I had nine students, including four from the year before, and they each tried their hand at writing a fifty-thousand word manuscript. Many of them succeed but all proved they had the dedication to learn what it would take to get past the dreaded blank page and put words down that others would eventually read.

As they wrote their novels we made sure to discuss audience and genre and the tropes and conventions of each. We discussed ways to stay motivated and participated in sprints. Sometimes they shared what helped them get writing that week or asked for advice when they were stuck due to particular circumstances. We often discussed their outlines and their character’s ambitions when they needed help or just simply wanted to share. Once the novels were finished, we discussed replacing crutch words and weak verbs and when to nix the word said.

I just can’t say enough about how much they inspired me to trudge through my own doubts and hang-ups in order do my best to be published someday. Each one of them was incredibly unique in their writing style and ideas and each talented in distinctive ways.
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My final bit of advice to them was that “hard critiques make good writing great” and that I hoped they would understand that when they decide to allow someone to beta read or edit their novels. I wanted them to know that having someone who is going to be honest in their critiques is going to be both incredibly painful and incredibly helpful.

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A.S. Hardin

Builder of worlds, creator of people, aspiring author or more realistically an avid reader and skilled procrastinator. From sci-fi to horror, I've explored it all. As of late, I find myself diving into the depths of rare and out-of-print sci-fi and fantasy. Join me on this literary journey!