4 Questions Any Editor Should Ask Before Giving Feedback
Finding the right editor is a lot like finding the right therapist. You want to find someone who is loving, but tough. Someone who will be sensitive to your tender spots, will challenge you to dig deeper, someone who will point out your patterns, or in my case that you have used the word “body” 57 times in your collection.
Jokes aside. You want an editor that is going to help you grow into the writer you want to be. Someone who is there to help improve your poetry, writing, essay, not someone who wants you to write like them. So much of finding an editor is finding someone who is not only there to listen, but someone who is there to customize their feedback to your poems and your style.
Ideally you want an editor who is working to grow as an editor, as much as you are working to grow as a poet. Someone who will give you not only notes for a single poem, or manuscript, but comments that you can apply to every future draft you write.
I always say you can learn about a person by how much they talk and how much they listen. You can clear even more by comparing the amount of questions versus opinions.
Over the years my opinions of how to edit have changed and one thing is for sure: I find that the most beneficial critiques come when poets get to share about their work before the editor dives into.
Here are essential questions that every editor should ask, before giving feedback, even if that editor is you.
1. WHAT IS YOUR INTENTION?
Think about what you are trying to accomplish. A great editor honors the poet's vision instead of bullying forward with their own. At AWP 2019 I attended a panel called “The Worst Writing Advice I Ever Got” with Chris Albani, Ada Limón, Mark Doty and a few other poets. During the talk, Chris Albani spoke about the importance of knowing what the poet wants for their poem. How many people have had an editor go on about something you know you will already cut, or not understand the intention of the piece, therefore half the feedback is not applicable?
The old mantras of “No disclaimers” or “Don’t explain your work” are outdated. If you are working with an editor there should be a clear explanation of the overall goal before they read the first line.
2. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WORKING?
Just like finding the right light or angles in a photo, it’s important to know where you are shining as a poet. How can you grow if you don’t know where we will glow? Most writers learn just as much by being able to 1) identify for themselves and 2) replicate what they are doing well. A great editor should help you recognize and continue to identify your own strengths. And if you can’t do that they should highlight them for you if you are feeling too insecure to see them yourself. So many poets have a hard time determining their tighter work, stronger lines, etc. A great editor always points out where you are doing the things you want to do.
3. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO WORK ON?
This is a big one. Without knowing where you need help or want to further develop, an editor can give you advice about something you 1) don’t care about 2) isn’t helpful to this particular poem or manuscript. It is really important an editor helps to guide you to identify where you want the most feedback, and again helps you verbalize your vision. Perhaps you don’t have a vision, even asking if there is an element of craft you want to improve can be really beneficial to your growth as a poet. Great editors let you drive, while guiding you from the passenger seat.
4. WHAT KIND OF FEEDBACK WOULD YOU LIKE?
There is no one size fits all for the way an editor gives feedback, it should depend on the poet. Some poets need line edits, while others want more of a global or conceptual critique. I know a poet who taught a workshop where the class could request different kinds of feedback when getting their poem critiqued. For example:
Compliments and Cravings: Showing poets where they shined and what left them wanting more.
50/50: Name two things that are really working and two things that felt undeveloped or needed revision.
Release the Wolves: Tear the poem apart. Share everything that is not working, no sugar coating necessary.
Not every editor will use such levels or but they should ask what kind of feedback would you like and what works best for you! Do cuts with explanation make you squeamish or is it a fast and direct way to say this doesn’t work?
For more information about editing, workshops and more, follow me on social media or visit me at kellygracethomas.com Join me for a Live Q&A on Monday 1/31 at 5pm Pacific to talk about editing, poems and more.