Comments on: How to Get the Most Out of a Writing Critique http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/ Guidance for writers who struggle to get started Thu, 17 May 2012 18:58:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Challenge Yourself To Take On Your Biggest Writing Fear http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-2465 Challenge Yourself To Take On Your Biggest Writing Fear Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:34:04 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-2465 [...] Constructive criticism. [...] [...] Constructive criticism. [...]

]]> By: Ignore the Naysayers and the Haters http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-1907 Ignore the Naysayers and the Haters Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:08:39 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-1907 [...] constructive criticism is an important tool to becoming a better [...] [...] constructive criticism is an important tool to becoming a better [...]

]]> By: Katie http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-1450 Katie Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:29:02 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-1450 You want to know something? To me constructive criticism is an *excuse* because most of the time, the criticizer isn't a fair writer and they should keep their opinions to themselves especially if they think that their own writing isn't up to the standard of another writer's so that it will not seem like a common hypocrisy and I wonder why people that usually loved a fanfic or a story will turn around and become comical when they are actually pitying the writer. That's not a fair criticism anyways so who cares? You want to know something? To me constructive criticism is an *excuse* because most of the time, the criticizer isn’t a fair writer and they should keep their opinions to themselves especially if they think that their own writing isn’t up to the standard of another writer’s so that it will not seem like a common hypocrisy and I wonder why people that usually loved a fanfic or a story will turn around and become comical when they are actually pitying the writer. That’s not a fair criticism anyways so who cares?

]]> By: How To Deal with Conflicting Critiques « Procrastinating Writers http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-346 How To Deal with Conflicting Critiques « Procrastinating Writers Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:44:24 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-346 [...] few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about how to get the most out of a writing critique.  After publishing this post, Procrastinating Writers reader, CathrynG, asked me what to do when [...] [...] few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about how to get the most out of a writing critique.  After publishing this post, Procrastinating Writers reader, CathrynG, asked me what to do when [...]

]]> By: Claudia http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-338 Claudia Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:22:44 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-338 Yes, if you are part of a group, it is the responsibility of the leader/facilitator to set the ground rules and enforce them. The most important rules are those that focus the readers on the words on the page, and support the reader in expressing what they "got" from those words. When the writer listens to a reader talk about their experience with the written piece, the writer learns what exactly was communicated, which will vary by reader (young, old, male, female, ethnic/religious background, education level, etc. - all make a difference). Then it's up to the writer to decide whether they were successful (the reader "heard" what the writer meant to say), or not (the reader heard something different than what they meant). When the focus of the group stays on the words, the critique is much less personal, and if the writer really listens, they can learn valuable lessons. Yes, if you are part of a group, it is the responsibility of the leader/facilitator to set the ground rules and enforce them. The most important rules are those that focus the readers on the words on the page, and support the reader in expressing what they “got” from those words. When the writer listens to a reader talk about their experience with the written piece, the writer learns what exactly was communicated, which will vary by reader (young, old, male, female, ethnic/religious background, education level, etc. – all make a difference). Then it’s up to the writer to decide whether they were successful (the reader “heard” what the writer meant to say), or not (the reader heard something different than what they meant). When the focus of the group stays on the words, the critique is much less personal, and if the writer really listens, they can learn valuable lessons.

]]> By: Manashree http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-340 Manashree Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:01:29 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-340 I thought I am the only one who feels bad when someone criticizes my work. But after reading your blog, I understood that it is natural to feel that way. Thanks for sharing. Now, I will be more "open" towards the criticisms. Best wishes for your book. I thought I am the only one who feels bad when someone criticizes my work. But after reading your blog, I understood that it is natural to feel that way. Thanks for sharing. Now, I will be more “open” towards the criticisms. Best wishes for your book.

]]> By: The Procrastinating Writer http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-339 The Procrastinating Writer Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:09:53 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-339 @Kimberly Davis You're right. It is up to the workshop leader to not only set the correct tone, but to also teach the people in the workshop HOW to constructively critique a piece of writing. I think that's one aspect of all the creative writing workshops I've taken that's always been missing. @Kimberly Davis You’re right. It is up to the workshop leader to not only set the correct tone, but to also teach the people in the workshop HOW to constructively critique a piece of writing. I think that’s one aspect of all the creative writing workshops I’ve taken that’s always been missing.

]]> By: Kimberly Davis http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-344 Kimberly Davis Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:30:50 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-344 This is a great post. If only all workshop participants could approach things this way! Too often workshop comments either are too kind (trying to curry favor), or too mean (the comments of a jealous rival). I teach creative writing during the year, and take workshops at writers conferences during the summer, and I've come to really value the "constructively critical" workshop. It seems like it's up to the workshop leader to set the correct tone. This is a great post. If only all workshop participants could approach things this way! Too often workshop comments either are too kind (trying to curry favor), or too mean (the comments of a jealous rival). I teach creative writing during the year, and take workshops at writers conferences during the summer, and I’ve come to really value the “constructively critical” workshop. It seems like it’s up to the workshop leader to set the correct tone.

]]> By: The Procrastinating Writer http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-343 The Procrastinating Writer Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:50:00 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-343 @CathrynG Audience is SO important when it comes to writing and especially writing critiques. I write chick lit, which many, many people will tell you makes me lame. But there are also TONS of chick lit readers who will be dying to pick up my first book. So it all balances out. It's just like you said, a matter of finding your audience. @Alex Fayle Yep, you definitely have to find a critiquer who's interests are similar to what you write. In my case, my critiquer-friend is a mystery writer/reader, but she was still able to objectively read and critique my book. @garridon Great points! Giving a critique is an art. It's extremely difficult to do (in my opinion). I'm still learning myself! Taking a step back is always a good way to give yourself time to mull things over. I believe Stephen King (in his book On Writing) suggests putting your first draft away for at least 6 weeks before you start editing it. The longer the better, as it helps you be more objective. @CathrynG Audience is SO important when it comes to writing and especially writing critiques. I write chick lit, which many, many people will tell you makes me lame. But there are also TONS of chick lit readers who will be dying to pick up my first book.

So it all balances out. It’s just like you said, a matter of finding your audience.

@Alex Fayle Yep, you definitely have to find a critiquer who’s interests are similar to what you write. In my case, my critiquer-friend is a mystery writer/reader, but she was still able to objectively read and critique my book.

@garridon Great points! Giving a critique is an art. It’s extremely difficult to do (in my opinion). I’m still learning myself!

Taking a step back is always a good way to give yourself time to mull things over. I believe Stephen King (in his book On Writing) suggests putting your first draft away for at least 6 weeks before you start editing it. The longer the better, as it helps you be more objective.

]]> By: garridon http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/2009/06/get-the-most-out-of-a-writing-critique/comment-page-1/#comment-342 garridon Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:38:50 +0000 http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/?p=437#comment-342 It is just as much an art to give a critique as it is to read a critique. It's always important to remember that people are going to find fault. I've run into a lot of people who expecting to get praise and are very rudely shocked when people tell them the writing needs work--a lot of work. But it's also important to think for yourself when considering a critique. I've seen people arbitrarily make the changes everyone recommends, not taking the time to think if the changes were actually correct. If there's any doubt at all about a comment, wait for a while. Nothing's going to happen if you wait. For me, my story is in omniscient viewpoint, a decision I made with a lot of time, thought, and experimentation. I submitted a chapter for critique. Not one person paid attention to content. They all zoomed in on the viewpoint and started making predictions of doom. I was told that I would never get published if I used the viewpoint; "I hate omniscient!"; "Eew. It's in omniscient." When I answered one person's questions about why I used it (there are about ten reasons), all I got back was, "Why can't do it in third?" I ended up walking away from the critique second guessing my viewpoint choice and wondering if it was the right choice. Instead of doing anything, I set the book aside for six weeks so I could get past the emotional reaction. Once I did that, I was able to cherry pick a few comments between the omniscient rants that did give me good information on something I needed to fix, and the rest I just ignored. I was glad I stopped to get some distance from the critiques. L.M. Adams It is just as much an art to give a critique as it is to read a critique. It’s always important to remember that people are going to find fault. I’ve run into a lot of people who expecting to get praise and are very rudely shocked when people tell them the writing needs work–a lot of work.

But it’s also important to think for yourself when considering a critique. I’ve seen people arbitrarily make the changes everyone recommends, not taking the time to think if the changes were actually correct. If there’s any doubt at all about a comment, wait for a while. Nothing’s going to happen if you wait.

For me, my story is in omniscient viewpoint, a decision I made with a lot of time, thought, and experimentation. I submitted a chapter for critique. Not one person paid attention to content. They all zoomed in on the viewpoint and started making predictions of doom. I was told that I would never get published if I used the viewpoint; “I hate omniscient!”; “Eew. It’s in omniscient.” When I answered one person’s questions about why I used it (there are about ten reasons), all I got back was, “Why can’t do it in third?” I ended up walking away from the critique second guessing my viewpoint choice and wondering if it was the right choice. Instead of doing anything, I set the book aside for six weeks so I could get past the emotional reaction. Once I did that, I was able to cherry pick a few comments between the omniscient rants that did give me good information on something I needed to fix, and the rest I just ignored. I was glad I stopped to get some distance from the critiques.

L.M. Adams

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