tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post5034108571364117065..comments2023-08-12T09:10:57.072-04:00Comments on Forever Endeavor: Feedback : When Does it Do More Harm Than Good?Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-74455804288814392112010-04-14T10:52:23.833-04:002010-04-14T10:52:23.833-04:00Shelley - I forgot to mention about the Starbucks ...Shelley - I forgot to mention about the Starbucks thing. We should make plans and do it some time. I've never had a write-in...would be fun to give it a try. What part of MD are you in again?<br /><br />Jess - A flaming review sucks and I don't understand them at all. I've read some things that other writers have written that I didn't think was all that good, but there still always some positives in there too. If someone can't point out where I went right, as well as where I went wrong, I don't think they're a very good critic.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-36761259618423357662010-04-14T10:49:32.520-04:002010-04-14T10:49:32.520-04:00Nicole - That's a great little disclaimer ther...Nicole - That's a great little disclaimer there! I try to say something along those lines, but I may just start copying and pasting from you. ;o)<br /><br />Shelley - I know, I don't understand those people who think they don't need to change anything. If you only gave it to me read so I could heap praise on you even if it isn't genuine, than what good is it doing either of us?Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-64434542995781606872010-04-14T10:47:54.416-04:002010-04-14T10:47:54.416-04:00Terry - It took me a second to get the Fatoras thi...Terry - It took me a second to get the Fatoras thing, but when I did I laughed out loud for a full minute. Very clever! And for me the query part was the worst. As someone who is now comfortable with hers -- when it's right you'll know.<br /><br />Kaylie - Moms are a double edged sword, because even if we know they don't ultimately know what they are talking about in the case of our writing, we still desperately want them to think its wonderful!Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-5083874036117706572010-04-13T20:38:33.387-04:002010-04-13T20:38:33.387-04:00I try to take all feedback with an open mind. Con...I try to take all feedback with an open mind. Constructive feedback is good... what really kills my self esteem and confidence is when I get a flame. I haven't gotten many of those, though, thank goodness. I mainly got them when I wrote fanfiction and people would leave anonymous reviews. It really got to me that they didn't even have the guts to leave their name. Of course, their opinions probably weren't that credible anyway.<br /><br />I get nervous too, when I have a new beta for the writing style issue as well. All in all though, I like all feedback. It helps.ModernDayDrifterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10842026842594128896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-48159019063105678112010-04-13T18:55:07.375-04:002010-04-13T18:55:07.375-04:00You said it perfectly, and I don't think I hav...You said it perfectly, and I don't think I have much to add that hasn't been said. I think we should be open to others' critiques (I find it a bit annoying when writers dismiss ALL criticism, thinking the reader has no idea what s/he is talking about.) But our readers aren't always going to be right, so we need to look out for that.<br /><br />Yup, I had a professor who said that quote that your father said, except it was "opinions are like ________, everybody has one, and those who don't are full of ____."<br /><br />And yes, we'll have to meet up at a Starbucks sometime. Cheaper than a conference... and it's Starbucks. :)Shelley Slyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981620646634240160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-44730803456377720142010-04-13T17:43:35.077-04:002010-04-13T17:43:35.077-04:00When I write a critique of another author's wo...When I write a critique of another author's work-in-progress, I always begin with this disclaimer:<br /><br /><em>Suggestions are based on my observations and made in the spirit of writers helping writers hone their craft. Please use only what you find insightful and disregard the rest.</em><br /><br />When I read critiques of my work, I keep the same thing in mind, from the receiving end.<br /><br />Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-8999442079811796802010-04-13T14:47:42.196-04:002010-04-13T14:47:42.196-04:00You have to take and apply what fits and respectfu...You have to take and apply what fits and respectfully be thankful for the rest, even if you know it won't work.<br /><br />This applies to all kinds of things and people's opinions. Especially at work and in our work/art.<br /><br />Great advice though Tracy, thanks for the reminder!<br /><br /><a href="http://theqqqe.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">The QQQE</a>Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-74014029945763166452010-04-13T13:57:31.631-04:002010-04-13T13:57:31.631-04:00I think critique groups really help that way, '...I think critique groups really help that way, 'cause they're all such different people that if they all say the same thing, you know they're probably on the right track. But I think I would still die of humiliation if my mother hated my book.KAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01492662417610004495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-54369360133196190002010-04-13T12:02:27.770-04:002010-04-13T12:02:27.770-04:00Ha. You must be reading my mind! I have seven (God...Ha. You must be reading my mind! I have seven (God, seven!) betas reading my ms right now, and I'm sweating it. I have received partial input from one and regular updates from another. And nothing from the rest, although it's only been a week.<br /><br />I am looking for consensus, basically. If three or four have the same concern or question, I know it's something I need to look at. <br /><br />As for the query, I've been there for months now -- the savaging, the wildly contradicting advice, etc. Yes, I whine about it on my blog, but I also know that I am the ultimate judge of when it's ready. I'm learning to trust my gut WHILE still seeking the advice of others. <br /><br />Nice post. Go Cubbies/Orioles! <br /><br />WORD VERIFICATION: Fatoras. It's what you end up with if you eat too much ice cream. ;)Terry Toweryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13840835964828394622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-49043423577422044592010-04-13T11:16:52.011-04:002010-04-13T11:16:52.011-04:00Shannon M - I think that's an excellent point ...Shannon M - I think that's an excellent point about looking for trends. If one person says something - it's a <i>preference</i>. If five people say something - it's a problem that needs to be addressed.<br /><br />Jessica - Thank goodness I'm not the only one who's had those cringe moments. I feel bad, but I'm thinking... "If did that my story would be God awful"<br /><br />Mary - Right on. I think I just settled into phase three a few weeks ago too. Hopefully, I don't regress!<br /><br />Shannon O - You're right, it is absolutely important to have CPs you trust. Otherwise you'll only second guess every suggestion they make and take none of them seriously.Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03726858055689145824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-5106629164104388122010-04-13T11:07:54.849-04:002010-04-13T11:07:54.849-04:00We need to begin by making sure we have CP's w...We need to begin by making sure we have CP's we trust - and ones who know writing. Then, I like to compare my feedback. Are there things they are all pointing out to me? Are there any contradicting suggestions? From there, It's up to me to decide. I love my CP's and would be lost without them. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-1437404913494646972010-04-13T10:40:44.035-04:002010-04-13T10:40:44.035-04:00I think there's a pathway new writers follow w...I think there's a pathway new writers follow when they receive crits. First, it's denial. 'How could you not understand what I was saying in that scene?' Then it's the other extreme where you take everyone's advice, and your story is cut to ribbons. If you make it through those stages, then you can reach the third stage, where you can evaluate the advice on its merits and act according to what feels 'right'. I'm easing into stage three now. I hope.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267066733031149882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-44062659474533594832010-04-13T10:29:37.208-04:002010-04-13T10:29:37.208-04:00I go with my gut. If something someone says, make ...I go with my gut. If something someone says, make sme cringe, then it's not going to work. If something someone says makes me go. "Oh, yeah!" Then they're probably right.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5910533818594533243.post-87506538119109203892010-04-13T10:23:48.072-04:002010-04-13T10:23:48.072-04:00Good questions, Tracy. And timely, too.
I recent...Good questions, Tracy. And timely, too.<br /><br />I recently had some issues with my Beta readers not giving relevant feedback (i.e. one of my Betas told me that I needed more similies while another told me that I needed to ease into the story and not start with an action scene. Clearly, neither are writers). So, I got more Beta readers and started looking for trends.<br /><br />I feel that I know where the story needs to go and what my character's motivations are, but I am so close to the story, I often miss some things (explaining a concept or assuming readers know x y and z). <br /><br />I love getting feedback because it challenges me to really think about the story logically. Do I make all suggested changes? Nope. But if I don't make a suggested change, I ensure that I know (at least for myself) why it won't work.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11640509596922335617noreply@blogger.com