I need to get thicker skin. I know, I’ve said this before over and over. It’s definitely one of my biggest challenges as a writer. It’s difficult not to take everything so personally, especially when advice is given that pertains to my writing and how to make it better. I’m speaking specifically about my Suite review which my editor just sent me via email. Boy was it extensive! First and foremost, I am honestly appreciative of the time that they take over at Suite to give everyone a thorough evaluation. It is something that I doubt other sites do. It is also a priceless way to get feedback on your work. However, it is still hard not to take suggestions personally, as some kind of reflection of my own inadequacies.
So, areas that yours truly must work on include:
1. Title/Subtitles.
2. Keywords.
3. Choosing more specific subject matter.
4. Limiting the amount of links contained within my articles.
5. Writing in the third person.
I am aware of most of these areas being problematic for me. I just keep getting in the mindset to write a certain way and I can’t seem to fully embrace web writing. For me, I’ve got a creative writing background which encourages first person narrative (which works perfectly in a blog setting, but not so much with web articles). Also, I am used to writing from an academic standpoint so most of my articles are structured with a beginning (intro of what I am going to cover in my article), body (the meat and potatoes of the article) and the conclusion (the summary of the article). Evidently this is no good. I know the keywords and the title/subtitles are also going to take some time on my part to get a handle on. As far as titles go, I am use to using catchy, fun play on word titles from print writing. But of course this doesn’t fly in web writing either (damn search engines!).
I have a lot to work on and I feel a bit discouraged. I had hoped to apply for a FW position, but now I feel the likelihood of that panning out would be slim to none. I guess I’ll just try to absorb all the advice and take it for what is it meant to be: constructive criticism.
3 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 20, 2008 at 11:04 am
Thadra
Hey There! This is a great blog and I happened across it by reading your input in the Suite writers forum.
I am gearing up for my 10 article review as well and have published 20 teaching-related articles to date with Suite.
I just want to send out some support and positive energy because I know constructive criticism can be hard to take sometimes. I try to consider it a learning experience; it’s not often that someone candidly reveals what they think about our writing (at no charge!). Focusing on the solely positive aspects of our writing isn’t always enough to push us to improve.
Best of luck to you!!
Thadra
Traveling Muse
May 22, 2008 at 7:16 pm
blueeyegirl
Hi Thadra!
Thanks for checking out by blog and taking the time to leave a comment.
How do you like writing for Suite? I will have to make it a point to search for your articles.
You are so right when it comes to accepting criticism as a “helpful” thing, as opposed to a confidence-draining one. I think as the amount of criticism I get increases (which it is sure to do in this field!) so will my ability to learn from it and walk away with some really useful tips.
Thanks for sending the good vibes my way, as since I am a firm believer in karma, I am sending good ones back in your direction
-L.
June 8, 2008 at 1:28 pm
-M.
Good blog. I recently sent my first article in to Suite101 and received several of the same critiques. I think the easiest way for me to look at the main reviews was that the site gets its money from people who click on the advertisements they place with your article. As an ad-click revenue model, a writer’s articles must be able to 1. draw potential customers in and 2. get them to click on the advertisement.
Just my thoughts, anyway. I’ll be writing and posting more on the site soon, but in the mean time, keep up the good posts.
-M.
http://outsourcedwriter.blogspot.com/