Ignore Bad Writing

The invisible part of the Never-Fail Method is the most difficult thing for practitioners to embrace: Ignore bad writing. It will go away.

I do not comment on any errors in the writing group. Not one. Not ever. I am making a safer space for learners to take risks in trying something new. I am trying to get rid of learners’ feelings of terror at the blank page, and I want to encourage people to write more and write better. I do this by giving specific feedback about what is working in their writing. I do it by creating an atmosphere of positive feelings and co-operation and camaraderie.

I make a promise to the learners that I will not allow any errors to be pointed out, or any “suggestions” to be given in front of the group. That promise is what makes them willing to share their writing and their opinions about what makes good writing. Learners must be able to rely absolutely on that promise. If I slip and make a critical comment on someone’s work, I will have a lot of work to do to restore that atmosphere, to build their trust again.

It goes against the grain for a writing teacher not to point out errors. It is a big step even to ignore some errors and point out only the most important ones. As I began to ignore errors, I worried:

• How will they learn if I don't show them where they went wrong?
• The practitioner at the next level will criticize me if I pass on learners who are not prepared.
• Maybe I’m being too soft! I should have higher expectations.
• Learners expect me to mark their errors. What if they assume everything I don’t mark wrong is right?

But do you never tell a learner something is wrong?