Help, I'm Going Hoarse! Don't Lose Your Voice in Critiques

Help, I'm Going Hoarse!
Don't Lose Your Voice in Critiques
by
Becci Clayton (w/a Becci Davis)

My dad had a wonderful way of explaining things in language I could understand. "Never, never, never." When a conversation between us began that way, I knew he was about to tell me something very important and I had better listen. What I'll admit now but never would back then was that it was usually something that would affect my life.

Never, never, never. My topic? Keeping your voice strong in critiques.

There is nothing more precious or more in need of protection than our writing voice. If you don't believe me, just ask my on-line critique group. They'll tell you. It's my motherly lecture 1313. I don't give it often but when I do, they better fasten their seat belts.

As writers, we each have a unique voice. However, if it isn't exercised regularly and kept in good repair, it begins to fade or even worse--we lose it. The good news? That's where a critique group can help. A group can

provide valuable feedback and help smooth rough edges. A critique group can provide other perspectives on our work, encourage us to build on our strengths, and support us when yet another rejection slip darkens our mailbox. The bad news? Our voice can be significantly affected if we are not aware of the potential problems of critique groups.

We go to critiques for validation as writers. We look to our critique buddies for words of wisdom. We watch their successes and milestones thinking that if we follow their advice, we too will be successful. Then, without even realizing it, we begin to integrate little bits and pieces of our buddies styles and voices into our own writing. We write to please our critique group.

NEVER, never, never do this!

Another potential downfall can occur when one or more of our buddies has a strong voice or personality. During those times when we are struggling with roadblocks or those nasty internal editors, we can be influenced by buddies that we admire and whose advice we trust. Before we know it, we are letting ourselves be conditioned to tell our story in their voice and nothing intentional ever happened! Once on this path, it is a long, tough road back. Not only must we shake their styles and voices, we must also rediscover our own voice.

Recently, this happened to a new member of our on-line critique group. Most of us only know this member through email and that she shares a strong mutual desire to write. She bravely submitted her first work for critique. As I read her critique, I smiled thinking how wonderful it was to add such a talented writer to our group. The craft needed a little work but her voice was beautiful. It flowed openly and honestly.

We, her critique buddies, carefully gave her our feedback using the sandwich method of critique--praise, followed by constructive suggestions, then more praise. On our next critique run, I eagerly read her submission first. What I read nearly made me cry.

The words and basic plot were still there but all I could hear was a bit of this partner and a line by that partner. The whole tone was confusing and jumbled. Nowhere did I hear her lovely voice. I reread her submission, but all I found was chaos as she had tried so hard to use every suggestion from her "buddies" and in the process, pushed aside her own voice. Yes, my motherly lecture kicked in and we started a discussion in our group about voice in an effort to bring more attention to its importance.

Another buddy then related how she lost her voice unknowingly when she was overwhelmed by a strong critique partner. It had been so powerful that her work didn't sound like her own material anymore. She had to withdraw from all writing for a while just to rediscover and nurture her voice. I don't think there is anything more crippling to a writer. We may be putting the words on the paper, but it is no longer our story in our words.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions to strengthen your writing voice:

1. Timed writings. Do not use your work in progress. This is a time to listen to your voice. (No, I don't mean that little voice inside your head telling you to take a break and eat more chocolate.) Write in short spurts, say 10-15 minutes. Try closing your eyes and pounding on that keyboard. This is also a great way to break writer's block. If you are suffering a block, it may be that your voice is being stifled.

2. Watch something that moves you. Watch a TV show, go to a movie, go to a park and watch kids playing. It can be anything that motivates you. Then, translate that scene into words--your words. Do not think about what your critique group, editor, (including that pesky internal editor sitting on your shoulder), or anyone else would say about your work. This is not about editing. It's about writing and listening to your inner writing voice.

3. Give your thesaurus a hernia. Trying new variations of old words may be enough to break away from wanting to use partner's favorite words. Tell the story in your words.

4. Read some of your work out loud. Enjoy the pleasure of hearing your own words. Do they move you? If so, your voice is coming through clearly. Pat yourself on the back!

If you participate in a critique group, think about some of these things:

1. Does your critique group use the sandwich method of critique? Do they give praise, then constructive feedback, followed by more praise? Using this method will help you feel much less defensive and help you decide what is help with craft and what is a partner trying to win you to their style of telling your story.

2. When giving feedback, does your group phrase things in questions like "What if?" or "How about?" This gives you more control over deciding what works for YOUR story. Keep in mind this is your story in your words.

3. Never, EVER defend your work in group. Clarification of a plot point is okay but the rest is just advice. You can take it or leave it. If phrases like "I don't like what you did here," or "You can't do this or that. The rule is..." rear their ugly head, watch out. Just keep repeating to yourself that this is your story. If this happens repeatedly, think about finding another critique group before your writing voice develops laryngitis.

4. Never, never, never write to please your critique group. You don't need their permission to write a story the way you feel it should be written.

Our voice is the most precious tool we have as writers. It's how we tell our stories and it's why our readers will return again and again to read our work. We must learn our craft, but more importantly, we must guard our voice. Don't hesitate to share your "motherly" lecture to keep your voice and your partner's voices from going hoarse.

Never, never, never. End of motherly lecture 1313. Now, go write!