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Hey All,
When I received my first Critique for the first time let me tell you - They were some words I struggled to swallow when I used the Writing Room here for the first time. As some of you on Litopia would remember. It awoken a beast in me, I didn't like it but it was needed to help me see both the beauty and the blemishes in my writing. Because I'm a woman after all and I can't live without my make-up bag, honestly.
But unfortunately Writing is not like Make-up you can't just cover it up and put on a little bit of concealer here and there mostly under my eyes, actually and hope for the best.
There is no shortcuts or cover-ups in writing, you have to accept it as part of you and your writing and tackle it head on.
And believe it or not all my Fellow Writers here, including myself want to succeed. And we do all we can to help each other do that and become better writers.
To me Litopia is a teacher, a classroom and I get to hang out with some very distinctive classmates/characters on a daily basis.
Anyway, as usual I tend to go off track in many of my threads, lets get back to;
We all know professional writing is highly competitive these days against opponents such as the latest technology and films. As much as I love my films. Let's be frank, it does raise your expectations in books as a reader and it definitely ups the ante and the va-va-voom required in your writing to get a book deal and write something that sells, and as we all hope, very well.
So on that note structural criticism is so important because;
1. It's the most efficient way we as writers improve our skills and write to such a high standard that is required in the book market today.
2. Our written work, short-stories, novels and poetry are often positioned to receive widespread criticism before and after publication.
And guess what? Everyone's a critic - because everyone has an opinion and we are entitled to have such. Anyone can read a piece of writing and opine.
But, personally I think as a Critique we both need to be a beast and a beauty and here is how:-
1. Don't crash the party - Invites only, but Litopia's Writing Room is an open invitation and a creative space.
2. R.S.V.P with care - Be mindful and ask them what sort of feedback they are clearly after. And stay clear from narcissistic types. The song 'You're So Vain' By Carly Simon comes to mind, great song.
3. Bring something to the party as they say never come empty-handed, it's true and it's rude not too - Take the time to really read their work, word for word, line for line and if you stop and can't read on explain why.
4. Devour the food, Not the Host or Hostess - Your feedback should be directed at the writing, not the writer.
5. Let the Good Times Roll - Always emphasise both the good and the bad bits in their writing. We've all got our good and bad bits and jelly bits for me LOL. It's normal.
6. Have fun even if it's not your thing, as they say always try something once - For example - If you're not a fan of Fantasy or prefer to read and write in 3rd Person and not 1st Person have a read of it regardless. You never know, you might surprise yourself.
7. Once the party is over, Help Clean up the Mess - The moment of truth when you need to tell the Writer where the piece falls short. Do this with grace, treat and speak about it like you would want your work to be. Don't use strong negative words, language and don't repeatedly say things over and over.
8. Then Nurse the Hangover - No matter how gentle you are, the writer of the work will always feel disheartened and downtrodden, even if they don't tell you when you ask them. I know I've been there, it hurts. But it's so important to BE POSITIVE about it, be motivated and inspired by the feedback and that is something I have learnt to do, finally. Because your Writing will BENEFIT HUGELY in the end and most of all you will BECOME A BETTER WRITER.
9. The Morning after - The Importance of Reflection - It's hard to do, but us Writers get so attached and become hopelessly blinded when it comes to our writing because sometimes we don't see things as they really are, more so in our very own writing. (Thanks Susan for this one)
Do I regret putting my work up in LITOPIA'S very own Writing Room, at first Yes, now No. Would I do it again? Hell Yes I would.
Because it gave me a thick skin without the need for concealer and looking at my work now, before and after - A BIG Improvement.
Any thoughts, feel free to share
Kindest Regards,
Alix
When I received my first Critique for the first time let me tell you - They were some words I struggled to swallow when I used the Writing Room here for the first time. As some of you on Litopia would remember. It awoken a beast in me, I didn't like it but it was needed to help me see both the beauty and the blemishes in my writing. Because I'm a woman after all and I can't live without my make-up bag, honestly.
But unfortunately Writing is not like Make-up you can't just cover it up and put on a little bit of concealer here and there mostly under my eyes, actually and hope for the best.
There is no shortcuts or cover-ups in writing, you have to accept it as part of you and your writing and tackle it head on.
And believe it or not all my Fellow Writers here, including myself want to succeed. And we do all we can to help each other do that and become better writers.
To me Litopia is a teacher, a classroom and I get to hang out with some very distinctive classmates/characters on a daily basis.
Anyway, as usual I tend to go off track in many of my threads, lets get back to;
How Important is Honesty in Critiquing Writing?
We all know professional writing is highly competitive these days against opponents such as the latest technology and films. As much as I love my films. Let's be frank, it does raise your expectations in books as a reader and it definitely ups the ante and the va-va-voom required in your writing to get a book deal and write something that sells, and as we all hope, very well.
So on that note structural criticism is so important because;
1. It's the most efficient way we as writers improve our skills and write to such a high standard that is required in the book market today.
2. Our written work, short-stories, novels and poetry are often positioned to receive widespread criticism before and after publication.
And guess what? Everyone's a critic - because everyone has an opinion and we are entitled to have such. Anyone can read a piece of writing and opine.
But, personally I think as a Critique we both need to be a beast and a beauty and here is how:-
1. Don't crash the party - Invites only, but Litopia's Writing Room is an open invitation and a creative space.
2. R.S.V.P with care - Be mindful and ask them what sort of feedback they are clearly after. And stay clear from narcissistic types. The song 'You're So Vain' By Carly Simon comes to mind, great song.
3. Bring something to the party as they say never come empty-handed, it's true and it's rude not too - Take the time to really read their work, word for word, line for line and if you stop and can't read on explain why.
4. Devour the food, Not the Host or Hostess - Your feedback should be directed at the writing, not the writer.
5. Let the Good Times Roll - Always emphasise both the good and the bad bits in their writing. We've all got our good and bad bits and jelly bits for me LOL. It's normal.
6. Have fun even if it's not your thing, as they say always try something once - For example - If you're not a fan of Fantasy or prefer to read and write in 3rd Person and not 1st Person have a read of it regardless. You never know, you might surprise yourself.
7. Once the party is over, Help Clean up the Mess - The moment of truth when you need to tell the Writer where the piece falls short. Do this with grace, treat and speak about it like you would want your work to be. Don't use strong negative words, language and don't repeatedly say things over and over.
8. Then Nurse the Hangover - No matter how gentle you are, the writer of the work will always feel disheartened and downtrodden, even if they don't tell you when you ask them. I know I've been there, it hurts. But it's so important to BE POSITIVE about it, be motivated and inspired by the feedback and that is something I have learnt to do, finally. Because your Writing will BENEFIT HUGELY in the end and most of all you will BECOME A BETTER WRITER.
9. The Morning after - The Importance of Reflection - It's hard to do, but us Writers get so attached and become hopelessly blinded when it comes to our writing because sometimes we don't see things as they really are, more so in our very own writing. (Thanks Susan for this one)
Do I regret putting my work up in LITOPIA'S very own Writing Room, at first Yes, now No. Would I do it again? Hell Yes I would.
Because it gave me a thick skin without the need for concealer and looking at my work now, before and after - A BIG Improvement.
Any thoughts, feel free to share
Kindest Regards,
Alix
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