Would You Like to Take a Look at It?

[Peg Herring]

How many times as an author have you been asked that question? A person at a book signing or a speaking event hangs around, waiting for a chance to talk to you. Or an email arrives through your website contact. Or a phone call from an acquaintance from the blue. The method may vary but the message is the same: I've got something written down. Would you take a look at it?

No.

It isn't that we're mean people. It's that we aren't the ones who should be looking. We know no more about it than anyone else, and just because we've written/published a book doesn't mean we have the power to make someone's work better. So I could give an opinion, but you know what they say about opinions.

I recently judged a first novel contest and sent specific feedback to several authors. My opinion, but in this case I volunteered to give it, so I took the job seriously. I got one reply, sent to the contest organizers, who sent it on to me. The writer thanked me for the specific comment and revealed that all three judges said much the same thing about her work (that the ending required too much suspension of belief). Okay, now it's less opinion and more multiple observation. She was very good about accepting the criticism, and that means, I think, that she has a chance to succeed in this business.

Sadly, what most who ask an author to "take a look" want is an affirmation of what their mom or their brother-in-law or their closest friend has already told them: that this is a best-seller in the making. For that they need an agent, not another author. Some need even more encouragement; they've written the first few chapters and don't want to invest more time until someone else assures them that it's worth the effort. If you think like that, then no, it isn't.

My advice is always the same: 1) Get it done. 2) Leave it for a while and return to it when you're able to look with fresh eyes. 3) Get suggestions from objective but competent people. 4) Send it to agents. A lot of agents. 5) If 1-4 don't work, repeat until they do. Will I take a look at it? Probably not. But how would it help you if I did?

[Peg Herring]

AND to understand that the opinion of another writer isn't terribly valuable except in terms of feel-good praise. Particularly, I would think, when the other writer isn't even in the same sub-genre. I think many who ask are secretly hoping you will call your agent and say, "You have to take this on!"

[Dana King]

I'm not complaining, not really. I just don't think I'm helping her. I just took a a look at what she sent, and it's 47 pages of essentially the same material I've seen three times before, with stylistic changes. I suppose it's flattering to be asked, but at some point she needs to understand she's had more chick published (one short story) than I've read.

[Benjamin Sobieck]

Until I have the exposure necessary to be annoyed by people who respect my opinion, I won't complain.

[I. J. Parker]

I agree with Dana. I left my writers group because I was unable to comment on what the others wrote. As I've said before: SF makes me giggle and sadistic eroticism makes me sick. Chicklit I can read and comment on, but my heart's not really in it.

[Dana King]

I peridically get requests to read and comment on writing by a woman who used to be a emmber of the critique group I belong to. (She has since moved away.) She's nice, and I'm happy to provide what assistance I might be able to, but she's attempting to write hunorous chick lit. I write hard-boiled, borderline noir crime fiction. I send comments filled with caveats, constantly reminding her my opinion about chick lit is dubious, not only because I don't write it, but I DON'T READ IT.

There are a couple of her chapters in my Inbox right this minute, waiting for me, She appreciates the general writing advice, but I think we're about to the point of re-arranging the deck chairs. may have to tell her I don't want to do it anymore, for her own good.

Thanks for reminding me of the legitimate reasons we have for declining such requests.