Reviewing Work

I've done quite a bit of reviewing work and having work reviewed today.

A fellow creative writing student sent me a copy of a short story she had written, asking me to look through it and comment on anything that needs improving. I found it an enlightening experience. Because I was distanced from the piece, I found it easier to see how a reader would read it. This gave me the idea that if I write something, then leave it to rest for a week or two, I could go back to it and make changes. And then I could pass it onto somebody to review.

In our seminar today we all reviewed each other's work. It was fascinating seeing how many different voices and styles there are in the group. It's also nice to see that people do like their work, and can comment critically on it as well as praise it.

My advice to you is when you have finished a first draft of a piece, leave it. Let it sit in a drawer, or in your computer untouched for a couple of weeks. Do other things. Start a new project. Get the story or poem out of your head. When you have a clear mind, come back to it. If it's word-processed, print it out. Reading from paper is much easier that from a screen, and you can make any scribblings and crossings-out easily.

Then rewrite according to the changes you have made. There might not be many at first, or you might have to rehash the entire thing. It doesn't matter. Once you have this second draft, show it to somebody else. Preferably somebody who isn't a close friend or family member. It should be someone who can give you an unbiased opinion on the work. "That's lovely" really isn't very helpful when you're trying to improve. Encourage them to critique your work, ask them to explain which bits work and which bits don't.

This extra input into the drafting of work is vital in polishing it off to that perfect shine.