I'm of the twenty revisions category and probably ten readers for each story. At least. Rarely does a story come out right early on that doesn't need alot of revising. Much of the time I'm asking readers just what they are understanding of the story to make sure I'm getting across what I hope to. But I don't have an MFA. I'm learning through writing. I do find one reader at a time can be most helpful. A large group all commenting in a workshop tends to be too confusing for me and often less helpful. There are exceptions to that. When I find a good reader I'll do anything for them! Certainly I make time to read whatever they send my way. I have one or two I pay.
Yeah, payment would incentivize your reader though it may also make them patronizing in their critique. So you need to let them know they don't have to be nice. Reading someone else's work for critique is a labor of love and should be rewarded in any way possible, if we can.
Generally useful suggestions but over-used they will gut your unique voice.
One thing I couldn't disagree more about was this 'if a sentence makes you stop and say, “Damn, I’m good,” then tone it down'. To hell with that I say. :-)
To hell with that is right, though there is a line in revising, I think, and you must know when to cut the ornate if it serves no purpose: “Kill your darlings” and whatnot.
I once submitted a heavily revised story without letting it sit for a few days. I will never make that mistake again. Most writing happens in revisions, but if you don't let the story alone for a few days or longer, you miss so much on the page.
I'm of the twenty revisions category and probably ten readers for each story. At least. Rarely does a story come out right early on that doesn't need alot of revising. Much of the time I'm asking readers just what they are understanding of the story to make sure I'm getting across what I hope to. But I don't have an MFA. I'm learning through writing. I do find one reader at a time can be most helpful. A large group all commenting in a workshop tends to be too confusing for me and often less helpful. There are exceptions to that. When I find a good reader I'll do anything for them! Certainly I make time to read whatever they send my way. I have one or two I pay.
Yeah, payment would incentivize your reader though it may also make them patronizing in their critique. So you need to let them know they don't have to be nice. Reading someone else's work for critique is a labor of love and should be rewarded in any way possible, if we can.
Generally useful suggestions but over-used they will gut your unique voice.
One thing I couldn't disagree more about was this 'if a sentence makes you stop and say, “Damn, I’m good,” then tone it down'. To hell with that I say. :-)
To hell with that is right, though there is a line in revising, I think, and you must know when to cut the ornate if it serves no purpose: “Kill your darlings” and whatnot.
I once submitted a heavily revised story without letting it sit for a few days. I will never make that mistake again. Most writing happens in revisions, but if you don't let the story alone for a few days or longer, you miss so much on the page.
Thanks for this! Revision is underrated.
You pretty much covered them all! Thank you