tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post4477953413605479047..comments2023-12-26T09:58:45.306-06:00Comments on Writer Musings: How To Get The Most Out Of A Critique, Part OneTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-44822226807241714602011-09-19T14:32:14.679-05:002011-09-19T14:32:14.679-05:00I always read my crits through, and then wait a wh...I always read my crits through, and then wait a while before taking any action. First, I want to find out if others are nudging me in that same direction and also I want to give those comments a while to settle in. So far I've benefited a lot from my readers/<i>critiquers</i>. They haven't pulled any punches, they've given me honest comments and guided me to producing better work. Of course, I don't take all of the suggestions, but I never dismiss any of them without careful consideration. I admire the writers in my crit groups and I respect their work. That is essential to me. Great series, Tabitha.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-31073588047547556802011-09-14T14:40:21.501-05:002011-09-14T14:40:21.501-05:00I always take a week off after receiving and readi...I always take a week off after receiving and reading feedback. The time to let it settle is helpful.Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-61676092206363722862011-09-13T23:33:20.008-05:002011-09-13T23:33:20.008-05:00I've been struggling with this question lately...I've been struggling with this question lately, so I'm glad to have found your post. Hope there's more soon ;)Vannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13700306025615253431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-51078893061238947382011-09-13T21:17:34.328-05:002011-09-13T21:17:34.328-05:00Great points! I love getting critiques, and it'...Great points! I love getting critiques, and it's so important to keep that open mind and use it as the opportunity it is. I can't wait for part 2 since I always struggle the most with how to give the advice I try to wrangle out of everyone else! :)Logan E. Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06468248031164464546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-64145951673132945502011-09-13T13:22:01.283-05:002011-09-13T13:22:01.283-05:00Christina - thank you!!
Angel011 - they sure are!...Christina - thank you!!<br /><br />Angel011 - they sure are! Especially when the feedback gives you a clear direction for revisions.<br /><br />Bethany - thanks! Part 2 is in the queue for next monday. :)<br /><br />jenkleinbooks - exactly. Defensiveness just creates unnecessary stress and can potentially burn a bridge between you and a good critiquer. Just because you don't agree with this person in this instance doesn't mean all his/her feedback is bad. We need to learn how to choose the suggestions that ring true to us (I'm going to cover how you can do this as a part of this series). :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-70070311502677607022011-09-13T13:16:40.081-05:002011-09-13T13:16:40.081-05:00Kelly - that's fabulous!! It sounds like you a...Kelly - that's fabulous!! It sounds like you all have the perfect balance of feedback. It can take years to find that, so I'm really happy for you! :)<br /><br />KR - conflicting feedback is a big problem, and I'm going to be discussing it in length in future posts. :)<br /><br />Diane - I find this kind of feedback to be the most helpful. I like to know how the story unfolded to the reader, plus his reactions. It's the best way to find where the story flows well and where it needs work.Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-19853575164588870242011-09-12T11:09:49.843-05:002011-09-12T11:09:49.843-05:00Nice post. I particularly liked what you said abo...Nice post. I particularly liked what you said about not being defensive -- if you disagree about something, you can just let it go. That doesn't mean you need to incorporate it into your manuscript, but there's also no reason to argue about it either. I think it's so important to remember that, at the end of the day, this is YOUR project. Crits are great -- and hopefully you're lucky enough to be in a group with people who are insightful and understand your genre -- but you are the one who is ultimately responsible for the words on the page. I believe knowing when to smile and say "thank you" -- but NOT make the changes -- is just as important as being able to recognize the truth in someone's critique of your work, no matter how painful it may to be hear it... or how many hours of revisions it will entail!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-9594372085189589602011-09-12T09:51:24.156-05:002011-09-12T09:51:24.156-05:00Great tips. Can't wait for part 2 :)Great tips. Can't wait for part 2 :)BK Mattinglyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13758638245846622284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-16275227851328685682011-09-12T09:46:52.978-05:002011-09-12T09:46:52.978-05:00Great post, Tabitha. It can be difficult to deal w...Great post, Tabitha. It can be difficult to deal with critiques, in many ways - it can hurt pretty bad, dammit! - but critiques are priceless when trying to improve our work.angel011https://www.blogger.com/profile/02603101632272208797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-52553362109563230852011-09-12T09:43:26.052-05:002011-09-12T09:43:26.052-05:00Great blog. I look forward to reading more.Great blog. I look forward to reading more.Christina M. McKnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556438221251810456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-62811857796571054542011-09-12T09:39:14.398-05:002011-09-12T09:39:14.398-05:00When I critique another writer's work, I do it...When I critique another writer's work, I do it as a reader and not as another writer. I mainly critique flow and voice. Never do I waste time pointing out grammatical errors that I know will be taken care of in another draft. I always leave that task to the editors in our group.<br /><br />When I receive critiques, I'm always thankful that the person took the time to read my work. We tend to forget that they are there to give of their time and feedback, not to worship our masterpieces. But then again, the positive feedback is always welcome!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-5646071165525740462011-09-12T08:57:35.796-05:002011-09-12T08:57:35.796-05:00Thanks Tabitha. I think when we ask for an opinion...Thanks Tabitha. I think when we ask for an opinion we have to set sensitivity aside so we can get the most from it. I find crits really eye-opening.<br /><br />The main problem I struggle with is doing edits with conflicting feedback. It's so confusing when someone feeds back that they loved a particular sentence and another person suggests deleting it, and they both provide fairly convincing reasons for keeping/deleting :-/Katja Weinerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10783876476292438371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-440592092655380502011-09-12T08:17:49.166-05:002011-09-12T08:17:49.166-05:00I have a few CPs who give me feedback on my feedba...I have a few CPs who give me feedback on my feedback--in a good way. They let me know what was really helpful and they answer questions that I might have had while reading. It's actually kind of fun. And it's never defensive or attacking in anyway. It's really two writers have a good conversation about a piece.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.com