[stylist] Pet PVS- Correcting fellow writers

[Eve Sanchez]

Wow Bridgit, Where did I say anything about critiquing or feedback?  You
are reading things that were never written and by the way; this is the
second time you have told me I should not be in this group. Thank you ever
so much. Eve

On Thu, Mar 29, 2012 at 4:20 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter
<bpollpeter at hotmail.com>wrote:

> Okay, prepare to brand me the B since that's what usually happens, but
> here we go. And no, I'm not intending for this to become a never-ending
> thread with no conclusion. I merely throw food out for thought here.
>
> Why belong to a community of writers where we share our work from
> time-to-time if we do not want feedback and constructive criticism? The
> greatest writers in the world have and do belong to some type of writing
> community in which they not only share their work but provide feedback
> and constructive criticism.
>
> A loving, warm environment is necessary to this process because no one
> is superior to anyone. We all have individual styles, voices, formats
> and processes in which we write. We need to recognize the difference
> between preference and wrong in terms of content, style and genre. Any
> feedback should be done with sincerity and a general appreciation for
> assisting fellow writers.
>
> Feedback is crucial however. You don't attack; you don't condescend; you
> don't take a derogatory tone, but you do provide feedback on what you
> enjoy and what you think can use work. When it comes to established
> rules and guidelines, you certainly point these out. Whether they be
> errors made in carelessness or made from lack of knowledge, it does not
> matter. Any writer should want a typo of any kind pointed out so it can
> be fixed. Sure, many of us will eventually find those mistakes, but why
> not take the assistance when offered? One less thing you have to do.
>
> Stephen King does not write a novel then turn it over an have it
> published. Before he submits it, he has a group of trusted writing
> friends and editor who pour through a manuscript with him, pointing out
> the weak spots along with any grammatical and structural errors. Most
> people are aware that C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien were  colleagues
> who belonged to a group of writers who provided feedback for one
> another. This is why Lewis an Tolkien often seem similar because they
> gave constructive feedback to each other, often incorporating ideas
> suggested by the other.
>
> There's nothing wrong with giving this feedback to each other, and no
> one is affecting a superior attitude to do so. If I say your writing is
> ridiculous and not worth my time, this is wrong and not the type of
> feedback anyone should provide. If I say, however, I enjoyed this
> section, but I feel character A does not have enough depth, or I like
> your use of dialogue, but be careful of where you place punctuation with
> quotation marks, this is constructive criticism and very beneficial and
> helpful to any writer. If I make comments such as these, it's not
> because I think I know everything, or that I'm of a superior intellect
> than you, or a better writer than you, it's simply because I see
> potential and want to assist you in bringing out all the best aspects of
> your writing.
>
> In return, I expect similar feedback. Especially in the beginning stages
> with first drafts, we all need feedback. If I want to do my best work, I
> need a finger on the pulse of those reading it. Audience feedback is the
> only true way in which to learn what works and what doesn't in our
> writing. It's great when you say you enjoy my writing and it's good, but
> this doesn't tell me much, or help me when revising. In short, it
> doesn't help make me a better writer; I just fatten up on the praise not
> always aware of where I need to concentrate my revising and editing
> efforts. This type of process is not contrary to a warm, loving an
> generous atmosphere. As the saying goes, a true friend is honest, and I
> think a similar comment can be said for writers.
>
> To say a place like Stylist should only be an outlet in which we sit
> back and just enjoy each others work is not giving an outlet like
> Stylist all the possibilities it can be. After material is published,
> then I want to sit back and enjoy it. Before, whether it be my own work
> or others, I want to get my hands dirty, ironing and polishing, bringing
> all the potential to the surface.
>
> My essay published in Breath and Shadow's winter issue is a piece that
> I've worked on for about four years. It has gone through rounds of
> revision including several workshops, and I had posted sections of it on
> Stylist to get feedback from those who cared to do so. What is in B and
> S (ha-ha, just realized the initials here, grin) is something that not
> only took time, as well as the result of my own creativity and editing,
> but of the feedback from others. And I will still probably continue to
> revise it over time.
>
> So I think it unfair to us as writers and to the intention of Stylist to
> say it's wrong or childish or the result of superior attitudes to
> provide feedback when we post work here. Again, if you don't want
> feedback from your peers, or can't handle it, a writing community of any
> kind is not the place for you. And editors, publishers and authors
> published numerous times are not the only "experts" who can provide
> constructive feedback. Our writing peers can have just as much knowledge
> and experience, and as I learned in university, ultimately it's up to
> your intended audience who often are not writers or have any writing
> experience/knowledge who determine the success of any writer. So why not
> take the opportunity to receive feedback from your peers? In fact, I
> don't see those of us proving such feedback as being superior, but the
> opposite; if you don't want feedback, it could be interpreted as you
> thinking yourself too superior to accept feedback from anyone else. As
> always, it's a matter of perspective.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog at:
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
>
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