Critique
I’m going to divide this topic into "reader" and "writer" sections and cover the writer part today.
1. Write the material. Make sure it is proofread and, to the best of your ability, as good as you can make it. Format so it’s easy on the reader (Courier font, 12 point, double spaced). You will only get ONE first impression from your reader. It’s precious. Don’t waste it.
2. Find a reader. This should be someone you trust, can take instructions, and understands and appreciates your type of story. Give them guidance what kind of feedback to give. I suggest reading Orson Card’s How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy (pp121-124) for detailed guidelines. Provide a printed copy or electronic version of your materials (whichever the reader prefers).
3. Squirming. When you deliver the material and when you get your critique you may be tempted to make excuses about the shortcomings of your material. Don’t. This will bias your reader.
4. Take the critique. Listen to the reader. Keep your mouth shut. Do not explain why you wrote something the way you did. You asked for the reader’s opinion. Why are you talking? Defending your work is worthless and may alienate your reader. The only exception is if your reader asks for clarificiation (or if you need to ask for clarification on a reader’s point). Smile; take notes, and take it all with good grace.
5. Incorporate the feedback. Simple spelling errors caught by the reader are easy. But what if they’re bored with an action sequence? Or think your hero is unlikable? Many times it may not be clear if you are right or your reader is. You many have to get other opinions. If a majority of people have the same problem with your work…guess what?
NOTE: If you find yourself disagreeing with most or all of your reader(s) critique, then either you have picked a poor reader…or, more likely, you are not ready for a critique. Being honest and objective about your work is one of the hardest traits to cultivate as a professional writer (if you could be 100% objective, you wouldn't need a critque, right?).
Next time: the Reader and how to give a good critique.
.
posted by Eric Nylund at 7:30 AM
8 Comments:
An exception to the part "if you disagree with all of your reader's comments..." is if your reader and your writing are simply incompatible.
I don't think all readers and all writers can look without bias at the same project and find a common ground. Some readers and writers just don't mix. (I guess this goes back to How you pick your reader--if you write SF, don't expect the friend who dislikes SF to give you the kind of feedback a fan of SF will give you.)
Also, remember the feedback you receive is an opinion; it is not law. Some readers might unintentinally steer you in a direction you don't want to go (i.e. changing a plot driven narrative into a story of interpersonal conflict).
Best thing about critiques--you can sift through it all, take what you think applies (Keen! I found out why this scene isn't working, and eureka! Someone gave me a great idea for the fix), and set aside the rest.
The main point here, I think, is finding someone who's opinion you think matters and who you can trust. But to tell the truth, finding complete strangers works just the same, so long as they are willing to read it. Like online for instance. Obviously, if you don't want to put something online in fear it will be stolen, that's fine. But if the option is available, it works very well. Probably because it follows all the guidlines, plus there is no bias whatsoever.
It isn't fun to have the person say that they like it and you know they are lying.
And most importantly you should remember that when they give an opinion about a certain idea used, take it into mind always. Even if you think its the greatest thing since the big bang. Chances are that eventually you'll look back and think about whether using that was the right decision. I know that idea's used are really the biggest struggle I have in writing...other than the actual writing part, of course.
I feel like complimenting you on posting this, but i'm at work, where depression must ensue...
Excellent advise, Eric. I actually like to have my family members do my critiques for me because I know they'll be totally honest and there's no way for me to think there's any underlying motive behind their counseling.
And it is so true about critiquing being a two-way street. You have to listen and listen well. I think of it as them doing me a favor, so the least I could do is heed their advice. If there's something I don't like, I take it with a grain of salt and actually try to put myself in their shoes--sort of see what they're thinking and why it is they think a certain way about my work.
I always love to hear from the max amount of people on whatever I do, so their input and opinions towards my work makes my ideas and opinions well-rounded. Then I incorporate it into the big picture.
I think a lot of writing is acquired, unless you are as Eric so eloquently put it, a friggin'-damn genius. Some people have a natural talent for certain things, but even still, a skill must be honed. And really, not everyone is going to like what you have, but you will probably get a deeper sense of accomplishment having subjected your writing to the opinions of others before you take your work public. It could all help you see things you overlooked. It will also give a better appreciation for criticism as well as build character. You have to take the good with the bad in other words. You can very well learn from everything--the bad and the good.
When you ignore certain things, you limit your potential to experience them and overcome them, IMO.
Well, I've written too much. Again, Eric, thanks.
-EMF
Jenni – agree with your reader comments. And also agree: one of the biggest rewards from this process is an outside reader finding something that can transform your writing from good to brilliant.
SB – I find the problem with anonymous online readers is that you never what skills and issues the person brings to the critique. In my limited experience I've come across readers who are writers with “issues” that rip your work apart to make themselves feel better.
EMF – funny you mention the “good and the bad.” I’m going to talk a lot about that in the next part.
--Eric
Yes, when they are writers, they tend to be exceptionally judgemental, but i'm talking more about just someone reading. They don't have to have any experience whatsoever. Because the way I look at it, if I ever wrote something, the majority of people reading it are those exact people.
Of course, it will also lead to some people just saying that it sucks and that you are a terrible writer, but that's with everything.
Are writer groups good for this sort of thing? I often get suggestions from "helpful" friends and family to join a writing group that centers around what I write and let them read my stuffs and critique it, but I've always been a little iffy about it.
Nikoda, writer's groups are a whole other can of worms.... I have not had many positive experiences with writers groups. When I next post about being a good reader, apply those criteria to all the members of any writers group. Proceed with caution. These so call groups have ruined many beginning writers. (Maybe I’ll write a separate post about this one day).
Agreed. This is a big step.
Whenever I write something, I always let a couple people read it first. I used to go with just one guy, but he would always just kind of tell me he enjoyed it, and not get any more detailed than that. I had more than one thing get poor reception from the public, due to that.
More than one reviewer is critical.
Post a Comment
<< Home