Comments on: How To Deal with Conflicting Critiques

By: Test Yourself: Show Off Your Writing

Test Yourself: Show Off Your Writing — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:37:11 +0000

[...] Take their advice or leave it, but either way, put yourself out there and get some feedback on your writing. [...]

By: garridon

garridon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:31:18 +0000

Already tried (it actually caused a huge fight). He’s not doing it for approval so much as out of conviction that doing so will make the book more marketable (he’s a marketer).

Thank you. I did know this going into the story. In fact, I tried third and first person before I hit omniscient; the story simply did not work with the other viewpoints. But I also recognized that I needed to make sure I mastered it.

>>Have you tried looking into a writing forum, such as on Writer’s Digest or NaNoWriMo.org? >>

Two different sites, both which give generally good critiques. I applied to a critique group, but I suspect the omniscient will keep me out of it, too.

By: The Procrastinating Writer

The Procrastinating Writer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:22:05 +0000

@garridon It’s sad, but some people are so desperate for approval, they will do anything, even if it means removing guns from a book about war. If you can, talk to your friend and let him know that he needs to do what’s right for his book, not what other people think is right.

And I agree, putting the critiques aside for a little while is always a good idea.

I’ve heard (in creative writing workshops) people criticize the omniscient POV. Here are my thoughts: Yes, omniscient will make it a lot more difficult for you because so many people in the publishing industry are against this kind of narration. However, it’s YOUR story. Which means you have to write it however makes sense for you.

Have you tried looking into a writing forum, such as on Writer’s Digest or NaNoWriMo.org? These forums have sections where you can post your work or where you can ask for people to read your work. I’d start there and post something asking for CONSTRUCTIVE critiques. Mention that your story is in omniscient POV and you’re looking for critiques on the writing itself–NOT on your POV choice. You should be able to find someone who will constructively critique it for you.

Just keep in mind, it’s important to do what’s right for you. Always.

By: garridon

garridon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:41:19 +0000

I think it’s important to set aside the critiques and think about them for a while, then pick what’s appropriate for the story. And a critiquer being a publisher writer shouldn’t make a difference necessarily in the value of the critique, especially if the comments are not right for the book. I have a friend who treated any critiques from published writers as orders to be followed–regardless of whether or not they were right. Last I heard, he was taking guns out of a thriller set during a war and featuring soldiers, all because a romance writer had reacted badly to the guns for a non-writing related reason.

But here’s one for you–what if you can’t get constructive critiques? I seem to be in that boat. My book is in omniscient viewpoint, but when I try for critiques, everyone carries about about the use of the viewpoint. I get variations of “Why give yourself an extra mark against yourself when submitting to agents?”; “I’m sure you could use third person instead”; “Eew. It’s in omniscient.” If I mention it’s in omniscient up front, I immediately get all those responses; if I don’t, I end up with comments like “It’s supposed to be in third. Why isn’t in third?” Then I say that it’s omniscient, and then I get the admonishments. No actual comments on the writing itself. I end having to explain my reasons for using it, and then everyone poo-poos my reasons and tells me not to write in it.

By: CathrynG

CathrynG — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:01:22 +0000

Good insights, thanks for the post.

The critique of my novel chapters left me with fairly consistent feedback that the protagonist was not empathetic, not someone that readers wanted to sign up to follow through 300+ pages. But, they couldn’t *wait* to see what was going to happen; and that was driven by her action.

I’m resolving it by trying to tone her down, make her a little more seductive in her behavior, aiming for more sub text, but it took a *long* time to sort out how I should proceed.

By: Donald E. W. Quist

Donald E. W. Quist — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:30:42 +0000

Thoughtful, as usual. This is a pressing issue. Conflicting critiques is an inevitability, common in writing groups and in creative writing classes. People are going to have different opinions on your work and it is important to remember you can only make yourself happy. As you said, “…in the end, it’s your story. You have to be happy with it. No one else.”

Nice work Jen!

By: HD Silversmith

HD Silversmith — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:48:20 +0000

This is a particularly vexing question for academic writers, as we may receive 3 conflicting readers’ reports for a single article. A good journal editor will indicate which direction an author might wish to take in evaluating those reports, responding, and revising — but some editors do not. Crazy-making!