How to Take Notes Graciously, Gracefully and Gratefully

Let's say you want to be a writer and you actually write something. Congrats! You've even taken the brave step of giving it to friends and/or colleagues and asking them to read your material and give you feedback. Now, if you want to keep these people as friends and/or colleagues, here's how to graciously, gracefully and gratefully accept their criticism.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A smile
• Paper and pen to write down notes
• Willingness to accept criticism

1. Be patient. Give your note-giver time to read and absorb the material. If it's under five pages, a few days. A book or screenplay may take up to a month or more to read. Don't hock the person every day to see if they've read it. Check in every couple of weeks. If the person still hasn't read it, let it go and move on to other readers.

2. 
    

   When and if you hear that your reader is ready to give notes, thank them profusely and offer to take them out for a meal, or at least, a coffee. This person has invested a significant amount of time in your material. The least you can do is spring for a cuppa joe.

3. When you do meet, bring a pen, paper and your own copy of your material. This demonstrates that you are taking this process seriously.

4. After a limited amount of small talk, tell your reader how much you appreciate the time they've taken to help you out, and then ask them for their thoughts or comments on the material. Don't ask them flat out whether or not they liked it. You may be disappointed by their answer and less open to hear their criticism.

5. 
    

   Most importantly, LISTEN. Smile and nod. Take deep breaths. Take notes on what the person is saying. Do NOT argue. Do NOT get defensive. Do NOT try to explain what you were trying to do in that scene. Do NOT make excuses like "I didn't have time to put that in" or "I thought that was obvious." DO ask follow-up questions, asking the person to be more specific. Ask them what parts worked best for them and why, and what parts didn't. Do NOT ask them how to fix the problem, that's your job as the writer.

6. After the notes session, thank them again and send a follow-up thank you note or email. Remember, you don't have to incorporate their comments, that's up to you. But if you do decide to disregard what your reader said, do NOT ask them to read the same material again. Guess what, they still won't like it!

7. 
    

   Repeat Steps 1-6 with as many readers as possible. Professional writers must take notes from editors, executives and producers all the time--this will help you develop the rhino skin you must have to succeed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you just want someone to tell you that you and your material are great, don't change a thing, give it to your mother. Writing is rewriting.

[Kimyee]

on 7/14/2007 In regards to step 3, what about the use of a tape recorder during the interview process?

[hikernb]

on 1/16/2007 Nice article -- and I loved the pictures that you used, too!
nb