tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post4752605774486434615..comments2023-08-02T21:10:21.457-04:00Comments on Strands of Pattern: Seek to Critique - March IWSGJeff Hargetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-21193098370862078522013-03-10T22:09:11.612-04:002013-03-10T22:09:11.612-04:00This is true. Even suggestions we don't neces...This is true. Even suggestions we don't necessarily agree with are beneficial. It's been my experience that when more than one person comments on the same scene or section, additional attention to it is warranted. Maybe it needs to change. Maybe not. But a closer look is usually warranted.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-91814861783523157632013-03-10T22:07:36.546-04:002013-03-10T22:07:36.546-04:00You're very welcome.You're very welcome.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-76307606362231640372013-03-10T21:25:01.220-04:002013-03-10T21:25:01.220-04:00You are such a wealth of information. Thanks so m...You are such a wealth of information. Thanks so much for all these directions to turn.Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07017592090888125590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-41232859874960869262013-03-10T13:21:51.800-04:002013-03-10T13:21:51.800-04:00I've critiqued short stories and novels in the...I've critiqued short stories and novels in the past and completely agree with you about this. I still have that nagging doubt in my head that I'm doing it wrong whenever I have the chance to critique, but that's all it usually is in the end. Critiques are nothing but helpful for everyone involved!Heather R. Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04309060285955963459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-64094219094493339812013-03-09T20:57:15.109-05:002013-03-09T20:57:15.109-05:00Hey, Casey! My initial critiques were with folks ...Hey, Casey! My initial critiques were with folks I met as part of Yahoo's Fantasy Writing Group an then with others I met through my blog. I've also exchanged critiques via Critters.org, but there are many such places available. The trick is finding the group that works best for you. <br /><br />In last week's Sunday Surfing, I linked to <a href="http://falling4fiction.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-matchelor-march-25-29th-spread-word.html" rel="nofollow">The Matchelor</a> that Falling 4 Fiction is running. And when this week's Sunday Surfing goes live in a few hours, there will be a link to <a href="http://carissa-taylor.blogspot.com/2013/03/author-crit-partner-connection.html" rel="nofollow">Author Crit Partner Connection</a> via Carissa Talor's blog.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-45383394433964236152013-03-09T16:15:49.253-05:002013-03-09T16:15:49.253-05:00How did you go about finding writers willing to cr...How did you go about finding writers willing to critique or be critiqued? Did you join a physical or online critique group, or begin with authors you knew?Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07017592090888125590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-29728610540486015252013-03-08T20:54:15.786-05:002013-03-08T20:54:15.786-05:00I think it only sounds strange to those who haven&...I think it only sounds strange to those who haven't critiqued. It's not a matter of giving making you feel better about yourself or anything; it's truly a case of improving yourself through helping someone else improve. It's a win-win situation for everyone!Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-24391102085239626272013-03-08T10:58:46.714-05:002013-03-08T10:58:46.714-05:00That's so true about critiquing. I always lear...That's so true about critiquing. I always learn more about my own writing by critiquing someone else's, even though it sounds strange to say so. Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-25138749739355016222013-03-07T16:49:13.496-05:002013-03-07T16:49:13.496-05:00And that's the main thing, citing what pulls u...And that's the main thing, citing what pulls us out of (or deeper into) the story. I always tell folks to take a single person's comments with a grain of salt. But if more than one comment on the same thing...that's when it definitely deserves a closer look. Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-85295749355084723622013-03-07T16:47:59.586-05:002013-03-07T16:47:59.586-05:00I've found myself highlighting in a published ...I've found myself highlighting in a published book and stopping, saying to myself, "Wait, I'm not critiquing this!" LOL But you do get to know people through this process. And some of my closest writing friends are ones with whom I've exchanged critiques.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-49948238490342412412013-03-07T16:45:43.560-05:002013-03-07T16:45:43.560-05:00That does happen. Sometimes people will ask for a...That does happen. Sometimes people will ask for a critique when what they really want is a stamp of approval or validation. It's not always evident. But I believe even those who are more sensitive to constructive feedback will, in time, come to see that most comments have merit, whether we ever agree with them or not.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-19636132620055361862013-03-07T16:43:45.470-05:002013-03-07T16:43:45.470-05:00A little anarchy never hurt anyone. :) And it doe...A little anarchy never hurt anyone. :) And it doesn't surprise me at all, Gary. I've found your wit and humor and way with words most enjoyable to read. And factual details are very important. (One benefit of writing epic fantasy set in other worlds is that there are fewer or those details to worry with.)Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-80518334629461372312013-03-07T16:41:29.381-05:002013-03-07T16:41:29.381-05:00And what I find so interesting is the areas of str...And what I find so interesting is the areas of strengths and weaknesses we have. We can be incredibly strong in one area and yet weak in another. Critiquing is by far the best way to discover both.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-89692473400531623072013-03-07T16:39:49.086-05:002013-03-07T16:39:49.086-05:00It really is amazing the depth and breadth of know...It really is amazing the depth and breadth of knowledge that comes from it.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-68324871102332667862013-03-07T16:39:25.861-05:002013-03-07T16:39:25.861-05:00That is indeed what it's all about. What woul...That is indeed what it's all about. What would really be embarrassing is not discovering those things until after you published! You can actually thank the person whose work you're critiquing! :)Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-17346708283240364362013-03-07T16:37:16.287-05:002013-03-07T16:37:16.287-05:00As with all things, practice makes perfect--or at ...As with all things, practice makes perfect--or at least closer to it.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-15059460939316269732013-03-07T16:36:51.692-05:002013-03-07T16:36:51.692-05:00They've definitely been beneficial to me. I h...They've definitely been beneficial to me. I hope they've been the same to the others.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-44237153443989839362013-03-07T16:36:20.224-05:002013-03-07T16:36:20.224-05:00I've learned much too, things like POV, passiv...I've learned much too, things like POV, passive versus active sentences, the importance of sensory details, and the list goes ever on. Mutually beneficial without a doubt.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-9525639479710052572013-03-07T16:34:50.605-05:002013-03-07T16:34:50.605-05:00I concur. But then you already knew that. :)I concur. But then you already knew that. :)Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-43835249871270101062013-03-07T16:34:22.385-05:002013-03-07T16:34:22.385-05:00You're most welcome, Sandy. It's a good t...You're most welcome, Sandy. It's a good topic and a great practice. :)Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-66707398832042863232013-03-07T16:29:38.237-05:002013-03-07T16:29:38.237-05:00There are times when a person "seeking a crit...There are times when a person "seeking a critique" is really "seeking validation" and it can be difficult to distinguish between them. But when asked to critique, all we can do is convey our opinions in the same manner we'd like to receive them--politely and with respect. <br /><br />But regarding problems v/s preferences, sometimes it's not so important to diagnose the nature as it is to simply state that something doesn't work for us. <br /><br />And I'm a firm believer in telling the writer the things that DID work for me. That is just as important as what didn't work. If they don't know it worked, they might change it!Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-65301762726589582992013-03-07T16:24:30.596-05:002013-03-07T16:24:30.596-05:00I agree that people appreciate honest comments. I...I agree that people appreciate honest comments. I'd hate to think someone held back and not told me that they think something about my story was horrible. How can I know otherwise?Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-15185697741722709482013-03-07T16:23:14.600-05:002013-03-07T16:23:14.600-05:00That is what it all comes down to...our opinions. ...That is what it all comes down to...our opinions. What one person loves another person will hate. And you're a genius in my estimation!Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-56809385694053995862013-03-07T16:21:59.715-05:002013-03-07T16:21:59.715-05:00Yup, you can't learn to swim without jumping i...Yup, you can't learn to swim without jumping in the water. Well, I guess you can dive in or wade in or fall in... ;-) But in any event, you've got to get into the water. Trust me, you won't regret it. I've met some wonderful people through critiquing.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3897178701274249737.post-69994300529105473952013-03-07T16:20:26.260-05:002013-03-07T16:20:26.260-05:00That is why multiple sets of eyes on any story is ...That is why multiple sets of eyes on any story is so important. I like reading critiques other have given on stories that I've also critiqued. It's quite interesting to see the similarities and differences in the comments.Jeff Hargetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14198367021884647821noreply@blogger.com