"I can't help it if your story grabs me and I can't crit. LOL. Actually, that's a good thing, because you know I'm hard to grab anymore. I've become a jaded old thing."
You know what? I'm super glad she's a jaded old thing and that her critiques of my work sometimes draw blood. Why? Because it pushes my writing to a whole new level. I know that if I can get a rise out of her in some way, shape, or form, that my story will definitely tweak the emotions of my future readers.
Tough critiques, while painful at the time, are seriously worth their weight in gold.
Shortly thereafter, I received a thank you note from a contestant who I'd critiqued. I didn't sugarcoat my comments and I don't think I gave him/her a particularly high score. Even so, this person said:
"Your constructive feedback regarding my style has been really helpful as I edit and revise. How easy it is to be a style-conscious reader and a style-oblivious writer."
So WRITER:
Go ahead and lick your wounds after a red-penned butcher job on your manuscript, then drop to your knees and thank God that you've now got some great new ideas and ways to polish your work to a fine sheen.
And CRITIQUER:
Simply be honest. If you spot some writing that reeks, have the guts to say you smell something rotten. You don't have to get personal about it and suck the spirit out of the writer you're critting, but don't error on the side of nicey-nicey just to spare a buddy's feelings. And of course, don't forget to point out what's good in the piece either.
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6 comments:
I like this post. I have not had much experience of beign criticised (except with essays assingments) but I have been known to pull few punches in reviews!
Constructive criticism is good, I just hope I can learn to take it a little better (I dont mind it on the above) if I ever put mhy hand to creative writing, and use it to improve my writing.
BTW I have a review of Gallimore on my blog, in which I do make a couple of criticisms, mostly historically based.
Taking a few punches is part of the writing game. And I'm not surprised you found some historical glitches in Gallimore. It was my first book and I didn't know what the heck I was doing at the time. Plus, I'm not British, so I'm bound to make some hilarious gaffs in that respect. Hopefully as I play this game longer, I'll get better at it.
And being that you ARE British, wonder if you'd want to check for accuracy on my Regency that's almost finished? It's about the Bow Street Runners. Don't feel obligated, though. Just thought I'd ask.
The problem is I'm not just British I'm a Historian (in training) and a pedantic one at that- and even some well known British authors of historical fiction may likely say that good stories do not just consist of facts, and that one has to put an imaginative 'spin' on some facts and events.
So artistic licence I understand, its just things that seem unrealistic, out of place or plain wrong that I tend to object to.
I fear Regency is outside my period of knowledge, and I do have rather a lot of reading right now, but if you right another Mediveal I might consider the offer!
Glad you dont mind a bit of criticism in a review. I know of one Christian author who does not seem to like this at all.
I'll keep you in mind if/when I write another medieval!
Well said, Michelle. My worst crit is my mom...lol! Her off-hand comments about my writing are sometimes like a punch in the gut. I know she's not being mean, she's trying to help me improve. And you know, I thank God for her. At least someone is willing to tell me when my writing isn't great. :-)
Hah! Your mom and I must be kindred spirits. My kids call me The Dream Crusher.
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