Just the Way You Are
This blog offering was inspired by someone I've admired for a handful of years now - as a writer and person - and consider a friend - no matter that I've never met her IRL and she lives in a different country. Claire from All the World's Our Page had some terrific thoughts on the art of critiquing, and humility. (Do not let her humility in that post fool you - girl has serious talent. For realz.)
I couldn't agree more about her thoughts on great crit partners, and with some of her insights on believing in yourself first and foremost. I'm going to share something I learned about critiques when I first put my work out there forslaying critiquing, over at the Compuserve Forum - more than 3 years ago. And I think it's one of the most important.
You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Good crit partners are priceless. They will destroy your cliches, point out the passive crapola, slay the modifiers and dialogue tags, and have some serious-awesome suggestions for overall improvement.
Howevah...
When you get a critted piece back, read it over. Then read it over again, correcting all the inevitable typos and silly mistakes they found. Then put it away and pout, cry, curse, be pissed - whatever you need - for a few days. Forget all about it. Have some beer. Play Rock Band with the kids. Then read it again. This time, looking for all the personal opinions.
There are some things only you can decide for your plot, and MC's.
When I was a newbie, I'd get that first painful crit back and...really?...Critter A hates that part where X plays the trick on Y?
Obviously the trick needs to go. Seek and destroy.
Then Critters B & C would weigh in, and my reaction would go something like:
Wait, what? You both love X playing the trick on Y? But, but...Critter A hated that part. And, and...I already changed it. Crap. Back to the writing board.
People have different reactions to critiques, and plenty probably react similarly to the way I used to. Some may already have figured out to wait on changing things, and there are surely those out there who get their future bestselling masterpieces back and choose to ignore everything, because, well, their critters are obviously stupid and have no eye for good writing.
Side Note: Those of you in the last category may want to read over Claire's bit about humility again. You can be good, you can even be great, but you can always learn something from others.
Now, I'm not saying personal opinions can't also become good crits. For instance if 2 of 3 separately comment that X tricking Y isn't doing it for them, you need to take a hard look. If it's 1-1 and the third doesn't even mention it, chances are you need to do a thorough reading of that area and make your own decision.
Okay, you can resume singing Billy Joel now...*don't go changing to try and please me...*
I couldn't agree more about her thoughts on great crit partners, and with some of her insights on believing in yourself first and foremost. I'm going to share something I learned about critiques when I first put my work out there for
You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Good crit partners are priceless. They will destroy your cliches, point out the passive crapola, slay the modifiers and dialogue tags, and have some serious-awesome suggestions for overall improvement.
Howevah...
When you get a critted piece back, read it over. Then read it over again, correcting all the inevitable typos and silly mistakes they found. Then put it away and pout, cry, curse, be pissed - whatever you need - for a few days. Forget all about it. Have some beer. Play Rock Band with the kids. Then read it again. This time, looking for all the personal opinions.
There are some things only you can decide for your plot, and MC's.
When I was a newbie, I'd get that first painful crit back and...really?...Critter A hates that part where X plays the trick on Y?
Obviously the trick needs to go. Seek and destroy.
Then Critters B & C would weigh in, and my reaction would go something like:
Wait, what? You both love X playing the trick on Y? But, but...Critter A hated that part. And, and...I already changed it. Crap. Back to the writing board.
People have different reactions to critiques, and plenty probably react similarly to the way I used to. Some may already have figured out to wait on changing things, and there are surely those out there who get their future bestselling masterpieces back and choose to ignore everything, because, well, their critters are obviously stupid and have no eye for good writing.
Side Note: Those of you in the last category may want to read over Claire's bit about humility again. You can be good, you can even be great, but you can always learn something from others.
Now, I'm not saying personal opinions can't also become good crits. For instance if 2 of 3 separately comment that X tricking Y isn't doing it for them, you need to take a hard look. If it's 1-1 and the third doesn't even mention it, chances are you need to do a thorough reading of that area and make your own decision.
Okay, you can resume singing Billy Joel now...*don't go changing to try and please me...*
Comments
I realise I probably didn't emphasise enough the importance of the let-it-settle aspect of receiving critiques from anyone, crit partners or otherwise, so it was great to see your additions on that. So true. I'm going to add a link back to your post in mine so the picture is nice and whole.
I don't think I've met Claire, so I will head over there now.
Have a delightful weekend, love.
Yvonne,
It's going to happen. We need to remember not to do anything that will destroy our own stories. It is very important.
x
Jai
As you point out, trust (in yourself and in your CPs) is a huge part of being a successful writer IMHO!
I know without a doubt that when I finally get something finished to toss at you and the rest of the gang, I'll be in great hands!
Now if I could just get it finished....;)
If I buy a snuggie does that make me a real-er writer?
I try to point out what people get right, too, when giving feedback. We need to be as aware of our strengths as what we still need to work on.
Critiquers can be your biggest allies in getting your work ready to launch out into the larger world. I wouldn't be so far along in my writing if it wasn't for my CPs!
Lovely writing! I will be back!
Lisa
You're right. You're not going to please everyone. :)