04 August 2008

Criticism

So, I received an email today from my boss that I write recaps for. When I got this job, I openly admitted that I had never had a job writing, but he liked what I had written as an example and hired me. I asked for feedback, and the only thing I was told was that the recaps were good, they all needed to be written in past tense, and I had one misspelling of a character's name.

Today, I got an email with a file of ALL the recaps I'd written, and every correction that had ever been made. Do you remember those teachers who could make your papers bleed with comments? That was nothing compared to what I saw. I also noticed improvement-tons of corrections in January and only one correction to the last week on file. What bothered me was that when the file was sent to me, he had forgotten to erase the email from the editor. She had said to him, "You'll be busy with this one." Umm...isn't her job to edit? Don't get me wrong, I want to do quality work, but the only mistake I made in the last recap in the file was a misspelling of a character's name, a name that has two spellings, and quite frankly was not something that spell check would have picked up.

So, I sit here once again, feeling doubtful of my ability to write. Thank you, though, to those of you who gave me such great comments on my post on Saturday. I really appreciate it!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

All you can do is stick with it. Every criticism is a learning experience that will make you a better writer. Phooey on the naysayers.

Susie said...

I agree..Phooey:-)

Kelly said...

So did I read correctly that the recaps in January were full of corrections and the one from last week just had one? If so, that's great!
From what I've seen, you are a gifted writer; don't let anyone discourage you!

Gramma 2 Many said...

It is so hard to receive criticism. We usually take it as a personal afront. Don't. Accept what is being said as a learning tool and continue to do the excellent job you are doing. You are a very gifted writer. Don't let a little glitch get you down.

Candid Carrie said...

It is really difficult to be a good boss, especially when you don't have great communication skills. No, I am not taking the boss's side but just saying consider the source.

I think it is has got to be an awesome job to write AND get paid to WRITE not matter what you are writing.

I am not your boss, just a peer, and I think as a peer review you are doing fantastic. Your BLOG is fresh and fun and shows everyday that you have the ability to turn mundane into entertaining must-reads. Seriously, not everyone can do that. Look around and you know exactly what I am talking about.

Keep up the good work ... and ask for a raise ;)

Go ahead, tell them I told you to do it!

Karen McQuestion said...

Oh man, can I relate to this! I once had an editor completely rewrite a personal essay of mine, and I mean completely rewrite it. I think four original sentences were all that survived. I was humiliated. I really do understand what you're going through.

Hang in there. You're a good writer and you'll get through this.

Hugs,

Karen

(If it will make you feel any better, you can hear about my experience here:)

http://www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/view_le.php?articleid=282

Deanna said...

awww...sorry you got such a crappy email. That's not cool at all.

I'm sure you are doing a FANTASTIC job!!

(((hugs))) hang in there!!!