[stylist] Lack of Critiques -- Suggestions?

Mon Jun 13 03:19:31 UTC 2011

Sory. I was gone for a week and saw 325 emails in my inbox upon 
return after removeing most all email lists subscriptions accept this 
one and a couple  weekly ones  before I left town lol. Only half way 
through at this writing. As for  feedback on work I think there's a 
couple  reasons for not giving them.

Firstly, I always try to reply as I know myself I always appreciate 
feedback on my work. I think Donna has a good assessment, sometimes 
we save it for later to give it a good going over and it gets lost, 
or we don't feel we have anything we can offer based on our own skill 
level. For example I am a horrible grammarian and more of a "get the 
feeling of it out and write as I'd speak" kind of guy so when it 
comes to grammar questions or feedback you'll not hear from me :). 
Donna brings a good point with her sister, in which I've seen time 
and time over in music, we all read or listen to music and can base 
our feedback off of that even though we may not be a writer of that 
particular media, we've listened to it for years and so have accurat 
feedback from a reader/listener standpoint regardless. . Neil brings 
a good point as well in that he is not a poet so can't comment on it 
as he just doesn't read or get into it to much. I started a 
songwriting evaluation service in our state songwriting organization 
and the basic rule is if you submit something for critique , be sure 
to do a good turn and give a critique to those who helped you out. In 
other words return a good turn with a good turn and it really helps 
the ball to keep rolling and folks begin to build synergy and camaraderie.

Brad

On 6/8/2011  10:35 AM Donna Hill said...
>Hi Neil,
>You make many excellent points here. I know that for myself, there are many
>times when I read a piece and have to delay responding to it because I know
>it would take more time and careful thought than I have in me at the moment.
>Then, of course, the e-mail slips lower and lower in my In Box, and I don't
>get around to it for a month or whatever, when I finally decide to go back
>and clean up my e-mmail.
>
>I tried making a special folder for Writers' Division critique requests,
>which worked a little better. Then, I had to switch e-mail programs and
>never created a new folder.
>
>
>I think the whole idea of critiquing and being critiqued is a touchy one.
>We're all simultaneously reluctant to say something that would hurt
>someone's feelings and anxious to steer each other away from the pitfalls we
>see in each other's writing. Talk about an approach/avoidance complex! The
>reality is though that learning to take criticism in the spirit in which it
>was given is essential for the professional writer, though I wonder how
>successful people are really at it. Just because a person suggests that you
>do this or that, doesn't mean that you have to make any changes at all. It
>is important, however, to give real consideration to the opinion. Sometimes,
>people are bothered by something, but the solution isn't the right one. This
>is doubly true for nonwriters, which constitute the bulk of our audience in
>the real world.
>
>As an example, I had my sister read my manuscript. She doesn't write and
>doesn't have a lot of time for reading. After 7 chapters, she told me that
>the names of the characters were getting in the way of the story. She
>suggested that I shorten the names. I thought about this and re read it with
>her concern in mind. In fact, I was using proper names far more often than
>necessary. I edited the entire book with the aim of limiting proper names.
>It wasn't a matter of shortening them but of either replacing them with "he"
>or "she" or by simply eliminating unnecessary dialog tags. I think of myself
>as a stickler for clarity, so I don't know yet whether I've made enough of a
>difference to satisfy my sister, but I learned a lot from her comments and
>the way I responded to them.
>
>
>Donna
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Neil Butters
>Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2011 11:13 AM
>To: stylist at nfbnet.org
>Subject: [stylist] Lack of Critiques -- Suggestions?
>
>Hello,
>
>
>
>Donna brought up a good point yesterday, and I think it might deserve more
>discussion. By the way Donna, you don't need to apologize; I wasn't
>offended. Besides, by my interpretation of Robert's decision, your NYC Blind
>Vendor post, like the one on volunteering posted today, is acceptable by
>itself. Responses such as "Volunteerism is great. Everyone do it." Should be
>posted elsewhere.
>
>
>
>Donna mentioned the lack of comments/critiques on her work. I think most of
>us have a similar experience; I submitted a short story last year, and only
>one person commented on it. I wonder if it would be useful to discuss the
>reasons that we don't critique other members' work very often. Maybe then we
>can hit on solutions.
>
>
>
>I can think of a few reasons. Disinterest in the subject. I am guilty of
>this, although I'll never be able to comment on poetry because I haven't
>developed an appreciation for its beauty and power. Time, there never seems
>to be enough. Uncertainty. How do I tell someone the writing is weak and a
>grammar course is needed? This is the mentality of, "I don't want to hurt
>anyone's feelings," (and no matter how hard I try to be constructive and
>"nice," some people just take my words the wrong way and get defensive). And
>finally the selfish - He/she didn't critique my work, so why should I
>reciprocate?
>
>
>
>Now for some suggestions. Even if the subject doesn't interest you, take a
>look anyway. Writers are always urged to read writing from other genres to
>help round out their own. Perhaps members sending in their work should make
>a list of things they want commented on, such as characters, grammar, etc.
>This would help the time-restricted reviewers among us to focus on what the
>author wants, as well as provide novice reviewers with some guidance. And
>commenting on the writing of someone who took the time to read your work is
>simply  a nice thing to do. When I sent in my story, I had previously
>critiqued the work of four members. Only one of them looked at mine.
>Finally, for the writers, maybe try discussing the comments with the group.
>This might bring up more interest in the work. And remember to thank the
>reviewer. Only half the writers who I had critiqued gave me any
>acknowledgement.
>
>
>
>I realize some of these suggestions are used by some people, but maybe a
>more concerted effort would help.
>
>
>
>Any other reasons or suggestions?
>
>
>
>Neil
>
>
>
>requires .
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Brad Dunse

If you tickle the ivories more than you tickle your sweetheart...
you might be a songwriter. --Anonymous

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