Do You Have PWS? Ask Yourself Why.

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Creative folks have a love-hate relationship with critique. We want the knowledge we need to improve, but getting that knowledge is sometimes a painful process. Having a good critique partner, tutor, or editor helps. Great partners will do their utmost to make you feel comfortable, even while pointing out some uncomfortable things. Nevertheless, say you have that great partner and you acknowledge that their critique is valid, but you just can’t make the change they suggest. You just can’t fix that problem, you’re sure of it.

You’ve got PWS: Petrified Writer Syndrome. You’re not alone. It’s an epidemic. Countless

students, when asked to change a sentence, have cried, “There’s no other way to say it!” Countless writing groups have heard the cry “But I can’t do that!” Don’t worry, though. There’s a simple solution. It’s worked for me and for writers around the world.

Sleep on it and ask yourself why in the morning.

You might ask yourself why your partner suggested the change, but chances are you already know that. A good partner will tell you. You really need to ask yourself why you are so resistant. What is it about the thing you won’t change that you really needed? Is there another way to get that benefit? With a day behind you, you’ll probably see one or more other ways. Tricky plot problem? You’ve created a whole world of characters and situations! You can dream up another solution! Don’t know how to rephrase that passage? The English language has a HUGE vocabulary and a variety of potential structures for sentences and paragraphs.  There is always another way to say something.

Now that you know the remedy, there’s one piece of bad news I have to tell you. PWS is incurable. You get better and better at managing it over time, but every once in a while that little voice in your mind will sneak up and say “can’t.” Just remember it’s wrong. Remember to wait and think. And remember, it happens to almost everybody.

Disclaimer: We’re talking about legitimate critique here. Having some experience will help you tell the difference between real critique and comments from someone who just isn’t your audience. “I didn’t connect with your character” is critique. Someone who says “This was too science-fictiony for me. Why don’t you write a romance instead?” isn’t your audience. Also beware folks who say things starting with “I would.” Critique isn’t about what they would do; it’s about your work and your vision.