tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post185452818967070453..comments2024-03-07T09:26:21.305-05:00Comments on My Hogwarts Sabbatical: The Insecure Writer and CritiquesChemist Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-10196528904053051602015-02-07T00:28:10.544-05:002015-02-07T00:28:10.544-05:00good question. And the answer is particularly vexi...good question. And the answer is particularly vexing. When I ask my crit partners about comments from other people, specifically agents and editors, and they are as baffled as me, that s what drives me nuts. <br /><br />To be truthful, the first voice that raises its evil head is that my crit partners might not be truthful with me. Second is the thought that the agents are crazy and don't know anything. But then the third, darker thought creeps in that not only do I not have a real clue, but my crit partners might not either. So there we are the blind leading the stupid. *sigh* someday I'll either figure out what this magic key is that I'm missing, or I'll realize there was never a key at all.Renahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02767762370997304308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-43539853767915135552015-02-06T13:46:50.618-05:002015-02-06T13:46:50.618-05:00It's usually the comments where a CP is confus...It's usually the comments where a CP is confused that are the most difficult to take, especially when you think it's pretty clear and maybe even other CPs think it is clear. That's why it's good to run a manuscript through at least three people. Hopefully you can get a consensus of what is going on with the story.Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-4574635209743319792015-02-06T00:02:10.915-05:002015-02-06T00:02:10.915-05:00CP's aren't perfect and can make mistakes ...CP's aren't perfect and can make mistakes with their critiques. You should ask them to clarify if they're making you scratch your head. It's probably just a breakdown of communication. At least you try to figure out a better way, even if you're baffled.Cathy Keatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18356112948372149785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-46733199353857288282015-02-05T13:53:00.890-05:002015-02-05T13:53:00.890-05:00Sometimes, a CP will have a completely different v...Sometimes, a CP will have a completely different version of the story in mind, will basically tell you how SHE/HE would have written it. This kind of feedback is not particularly helpful.<br /><br />Also, watch out for advice from someone who doesn't read/write your genre or for your target audience. I have repeatedly received YA-type advice on a MG manuscript from one particular beta reader. Dianne K. Salernihttp://diannesalerni.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-68637230791725011552015-02-05T08:19:54.082-05:002015-02-05T08:19:54.082-05:00The biggest problem I have with my CPs in that the...The biggest problem I have with my CPs in that they are mainly American and sometimes my Britishisms confuse them. It's even worse when I make up words though :-)Annalisa Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943610814274794998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-56647407452192653542015-02-05T04:43:18.290-05:002015-02-05T04:43:18.290-05:00I had it when someone totally rewrite a segment an...I had it when someone totally rewrite a segment and in doing so changes my voice or the point of the scene. I have been really lucky and only had that happen once. <br />Juneta at <a href="http://www.junetakey.com/posts/category/blog-life-happens/" rel="nofollow"> Writer's Gambit </a><br />Juneta keyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08815758043024184034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-34844294170714160872015-02-05T01:53:54.715-05:002015-02-05T01:53:54.715-05:00I know what you mean because I've had the same...I know what you mean because I've had the same feeling. Like the CP is from a different country. Or planet. Humor is the hardest thing to get across in any language. For that, I keep Riordan nearby and remind myself that teen humor is subversive. Adults are clowns. Sher A. Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03067955594103356768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-52573916747206717382015-02-05T00:16:00.700-05:002015-02-05T00:16:00.700-05:00That's what CPs are for. We know what we think...That's what CPs are for. We know what we think and what we think we've made clear. Its up to them to show us a different angle. If they are good, so is our writing in the end. :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://emaginette.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/iwsg-10-thank-yous-all-the-way-around" rel="nofollow"> Anna from Shout with Emaginette</a><br />emaginettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324981140248692448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-26320386102486194532015-02-04T21:13:26.005-05:002015-02-04T21:13:26.005-05:00If you don't get what your CPs are saying - or...If you don't get what your CPs are saying - or if you feel like they're missing something - I'd recommend talking it out with them. Ask for further explanation, and talk over what you'd intended. I've done that and sometimes found that the critique they gave ("the character isn't likable here") actually means something else ("this section is overwritten.")Liz Blockerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16160510626027597666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-15049662652810640512015-02-04T21:03:28.752-05:002015-02-04T21:03:28.752-05:00I actually prefer cp's who are blunt. I spring...I actually prefer cp's who are blunt. I spring ahead by leaps and bounds with honest cp's however sometimes the comments do sting. When I get questions that make me scratch my head I think maybe the reader would be doing the same so I better sit up and listen. Good luck with yours!!Yvette Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17828265447361659310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-5299158419578581172015-02-04T20:28:27.800-05:002015-02-04T20:28:27.800-05:00I wouldn't put up with a CP that acted superio...I wouldn't put up with a CP that acted superior, even if they gave good advice. It wouldn't be worth the heartburn.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-90074812919864096122015-02-04T20:23:14.412-05:002015-02-04T20:23:14.412-05:00It probably means there's an even better third...It probably means there's an even better third option.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-39381986194164550042015-02-04T20:22:02.984-05:002015-02-04T20:22:02.984-05:00Yep. I hope that's something I get better at ...Yep. I hope that's something I get better at with time.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-5528373334497582802015-02-04T20:21:16.751-05:002015-02-04T20:21:16.751-05:00I have a CP who tends to try and figure out where ...I have a CP who tends to try and figure out where the story is going and bases their comments on how well I'm following their preconceptions. I always have to take their suggestions with a grain of salt.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-17290206524210780452015-02-04T20:18:58.842-05:002015-02-04T20:18:58.842-05:00Sometimes, but I bet it's usually my writing.Sometimes, but I bet it's usually my writing.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-48733095903618717152015-02-04T20:18:17.942-05:002015-02-04T20:18:17.942-05:00I always listen to my CPs, but sometimes it's ...I always listen to my CPs, but sometimes it's all about figuring out what's really bothering them. Sometimes the CP doesn't know exactly what it was that bothered them. Thanks for stopping by.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-42578046689962173632015-02-04T20:18:06.219-05:002015-02-04T20:18:06.219-05:00What really sends me into orbit or out of it is wh...What really sends me into orbit or out of it is when I get two completely conflicting comments. What? Now I have to decide? Sheesh.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-29685499215535188422015-02-04T20:16:38.724-05:002015-02-04T20:16:38.724-05:00I usually look forward to them, because I know the...I usually look forward to them, because I know they'll make my story better. But sometimes, I just don't know how to fix what they point out.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-81181094964888286302015-02-04T20:15:31.730-05:002015-02-04T20:15:31.730-05:00And it always sounds so good in my head. What hap...And it always sounds so good in my head. What happens when it hits the paper?Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-57365686563059542282015-02-04T20:14:55.748-05:002015-02-04T20:14:55.748-05:00What's even worse is when you're pretty su...What's even worse is when you're pretty sure the person didn't skim over the previous paragraph. That's when you begin to question your writing skills. Thanks for the comment.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-16878324717753976102015-02-04T20:00:38.396-05:002015-02-04T20:00:38.396-05:00I've had a CP who clearly only scanned the pro...I've had a CP who clearly only scanned the prose. He'd ask me a question that was answered three lines previously. That kinda bothered me. Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-70337152011604953782015-02-04T18:19:10.615-05:002015-02-04T18:19:10.615-05:00I remembering having this reaction another #IWSG w...I remembering having this reaction another #IWSG where I dropped in on you--a spot on feeling, that we re in sync.<br /><br />Again, me too. My Critique Group has left my writing optimism in tatters. Some were excellent comments, easily fixed, others were because they forgot parts of the novel (15 pages every six weeks, one forgets). And then there are the snarky ones who maybe have the best advice but couch it in superiority. <br /><br />Those are the ones that put me in a bad mood. I might worry s/he would read this, but s/he'd never do that--reach out. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-4049586433408453072015-02-04T15:57:03.601-05:002015-02-04T15:57:03.601-05:00I think we all hit those confusing things from tim...I think we all hit those confusing things from time to time. I generally assume that while I don't know where THEY are coming from, they certainly also didn't see where I was coming from, so it needs some tweaking to make myself clear. Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-49075761390457839772015-02-04T15:28:22.624-05:002015-02-04T15:28:22.624-05:00We all have those moments where we scratch our hea...We all have those moments where we scratch our heads and think, "Isn't that what I was saying?" I appreciate CP responses, but I've come to the point where I know which ones to heed and which ones to put off until I hear it from at least one other person. It's always hard if you're only hearing it from one source. Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207356626683365538.post-14556191982201437302015-02-04T14:36:39.548-05:002015-02-04T14:36:39.548-05:00In the old days, my CPs sometimes made me feel ins...In the old days, my CPs sometimes made me feel insane. Part of it is learning to communicate with each other. We've been meeting for years now so have figured out how to better talk to each other. With that said, people will always read things you don't intend into everything. Everyone's brain works differently and they bring different experiences to what you wrote is why. If it's one stray comment, you're free to ignore. If more than one person commented the same, try and see if you can't break it down into something that makes sense to you. Sometimes not.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.com