McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
critics and critisism - a love/hate relationship.
Noey:
It's easy to take criticism personally, but I'd actually like to know how to contact and pay a professional to review some of my writing. I've found that the more it hurts to hear, the more true I know the criticism to be. I'd love to get that pat on the head, but because I earned it, not because someone's being nice to me.
Starbeam:
If I want a real critique, I don't ask my family or friends, cause about all I get from that is "This is really good." No explanation, clarification, reasoning, or anything. I never paid much attention to the comments I got from my writing classes/workshops for about the same reason. For people who wanted to write and wanted the same kinda thing in return, most of them had a real horrible time actually being able to critique. Plus I want people to tear it apart. If the character is doing something completely opposite of what they should, or if there are inconsistencies or appearing/disappearing items, I want to know. So for an actual critique that I know will be really tough, and that I likely won't want to hear, I'll ask my b/f. He'll truthfully tell me which of my little darlings I really need to kill.
I'm part of a real small writing forum, but I don't generally post anything there for similar reasons, along with the fact that I don't read and comment on the other stuff posted. I can't read small white text on black backgrounds very well.
Kristine:
--- Quote from: Noey on September 12, 2009, 12:55:17 AM ---... I'd love to get that pat on the head, but because I earned it, not because someone's being nice to me.
--- End quote ---
Or they don't know any better... :-\
LizW65:
--- Quote from: Starbeam on September 12, 2009, 01:03:04 AM ---If I want a real critique, I don't ask my family or friends, cause about all I get from that is "This is really good." No explanation, clarification, reasoning, or anything... (snipped)
--- End quote ---
That's why I made up a checklist for my critical readers that asks very specific questions. Not "Do you like it?" or "Is it any good?", but things like "Do any characters behave in ways that are TSTL or out-of-character, and what do you suggest to improve on this?" and "Any period anachronisms or factual errors?" Thus someone who might feel overwhelmed at being asked to read a story critically has specifics to refer to rather than generalities.
Kristine:
--- Quote from: LizW65 on September 12, 2009, 01:40:12 PM ---That's why I made up a checklist for my critical readers that asks very specific questions. Not "Do you like it?" or "Is it any good?", but things like "Do any characters behave in ways that are TSTL or out-of-character, and what do you suggest to improve on this?" and "Any period anachronisms or factual errors?" Thus someone who might feel overwhelmed at being asked to read a story critically has specifics to refer to rather than generalities.
--- End quote ---
lol, you have some very understanding readers to be able to hand them an essay opinion servey with the material. I commend you for it, but most people who are doing a favor for the non-published don't want to be quizzed afterword.
Good Idea though ;)
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