InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I am a banana!"

ahaw9913 (ahaw9913) wrote in qaf_coffeeclub,
@ 2009-06-30 23:08:00

Current mood:

contemplative

Calling All Authors!
I am a new writer. I have written a few drabbles and one ficlet. Mostly well received, but I have gotten a few comments that let me know that the reader wasn't quite in sync with the story, and it threw me into a quandary.

How do you respond to constructive criticism in feedback? (This is not about corrections, which I have been given.)

The concrit I have received was given in a VERY positive manner, and I was not AT ALL upset or offended by it, but I simply did not know how to respond to it without coming off defensive. I rely very heavily on physical cues when I talk and often worry about being taken the wrong way in computer conversations.

My first instinct was to try to explain where I was coming from in the story and to let the reader know the mindset of the character, as I saw it, and why I felt they would have done what they did, like I would do with a beta, but I was afraid of sounding defensive (which I wasn’t). I also thought, well if my story doesn't say it for itself, and I have to explain it, I really haven't done as good a job as I should have. And too, I certainly didn't want to come across as bitchy with someone who was not only, kind enough to read my writing, but also thoughtful enough to give me good solid feedback that I can learn from. And then too I thought, does this little bit of fluff writing warrant more debate than there are words in the actually story? Not at the risk of upsetting someone.

So what did I do? I erred on the side of not opening a can of worms that I wasn't sure I knew how to handle, and simply thanked them for commenting and giving feedback. When what I really wanted to do was pick their brains about where it went wrong for them. So in the end, I ended up not learning as much as I could have and will probably make the same mistake again.

I have since tried giving my perspective to a reader about a story, but I still don't know if I am doing the right thing. Don't get me wrong! I'm sure I would be crushed if someone told me they hated one of my stories, and no one wants to get flamed, but I also don't want to miss out on opportunities to learn and improve.

So what do I do now? Did I do the right thing? What would you have done? What have you done? If you wanted to hash out something with a reader, whose opinion you really respected, is the comments to your fic the place to do it? Is there a better forum? Should I have asked them to PM me? Should I PM them? As a reader what do you expect when you give feedback? Ack, it's so hard to know!

Okay, SUN! But, seriously, help a newbie writer out!

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

noteverything
2009-07-02 12:52 am UTC (link)

As you know, I only write drabbles and an occasional porny thing, so I can only answer from that perspective.

My first instinct is to defend anything I write if someone questions me and frankly, I probably get a little upset in the beginning. But...I *always* always thank anyone who comments, because I do appreciate any comments I get. They mean so much more than I think they will, *every* single time, even after hundreds of drabbles.

I think you're on the right track to offer your perspective to anyone that gives you criticism...I think that's what I'd do. Then, depending on their reaction to that, you could offer to talk more in email or PM, but I'd bet most people would be satisfied with your response.

Personally, I *WANT* more criticism. I've "complained" about this before to a few people. Sometimes I feel like people either tell me everything I write is really good because that's what they always do *or* they just don't say anything at all if they don't care for it. I would *LOVE* to know specifically what works and what doesn't, even if it's just a drabble. But...for whatever reason, many readers choose not to do that.

Interesting post!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

ahaw9913
2009-07-02 01:22 am UTC (link)

But...I *always* always thank anyone who comments, because I do appreciate any comments I get.

Absolutely!

Sometimes I feel like people either tell me everything I write is really good because that's what they always do *or* they just don't say anything at all if they don't care for it. I would *LOVE* to know specifically what works and what doesn't, even if it's just a drabble. But...for whatever reason, many readers choose not to do that.

I have to admit to being a bit of a hypocrite. I would welcome concrit, because I do realize I have a lot of room for improvement, but I would have a very hard time giving it to someone else.

Where do you go to get unfiltered feedback?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	noteverything 2009-07-02 01:36 am UTC (link)
	Where do you go to get unfiltered feedback? shrugs My beta? Honestly, though...I think people just don't want to tear into fic online, but it would be cool to have a place for that to happen. At least I think it would. I'd be glad to offer up my writing and ask what needs improvement. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notreallyme10 2009-07-02 01:58 am UTC (link)
	Maybe we need a writer's workshop asylum? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pendulumchanges 2009-07-02 02:10 am UTC (link)
	It would be cool to have an asylum where people can offer up their fic to constructive criticism. Where you can say "I wrote this drabble and not one person liked it and I really don't know why!" The first rule is you're only allowed to offer up your fic for critique if you're not going to get mad at anyone when they critique it :) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notreallyme10 2009-07-02 02:16 am UTC (link)
	And the second rule would be constructive criticism only! It could be fun. Not sure if I'd ever be brave enough to put my work up :) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pendulumchanges 2009-07-02 02:19 am UTC (link)
	It'd be cool to post something and have people critique it and then to rework it and repost it. Some people probably won't like seeing the first version or the in between stuff, but they could still enjoy the improved final product :) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notreallyme10 2009-07-02 02:20 am UTC (link)
	I hadn't even thought of that... good idea! (Reply to this) (Parent)

noteverything
2009-07-02 04:07 am UTC (link)

I'm for this. I'm willing to put up anything I've written...I honestly don't have any problems with that at all. But if no one else does, it'll be kind of...odd.

I do understand NOT leaving criticism on something...I tend to avoid it too. I figure most times it's better to just move on and not say anything. But, occasionally, I do have to question things. I really try to do it kindly. It's a fine line I guess and probably no one really *believes* me when I say I'd LOVE feedback of any kind.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

ahaw9913
2009-07-02 04:33 am UTC (link)

I'm with you! We could be kind of odd together. :)

But seriously, I know I don't have much under my belt, and Lord knows I don't really think I'm any kind of real writer, but I have found something I enjoy. I also know I'm never going to take a writing class or anything like that, so if I want to improve, and I really do, this seems like a good way. And I know everyone here would be honest, positive and not wanky!

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	noteverything 2009-07-03 03:19 am UTC (link)
	I tried it in my own journal...it's been really interesting. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ahaw9913 2009-07-02 04:45 am UTC (link)
	This is a truly wonderful idea! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notreallyme10 2009-07-03 12:14 am UTC (link)
	Not sure I have the energy for it... but it would be an interesting asylum to play in. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ahaw9913 2009-07-03 12:33 am UTC (link)
	I understand! Now is not the right time for me to try something like moderating an asylum, not that I even know what that entails. Maybe once I'm more settled. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	notreallyme10 2009-07-02 01:42 am UTC (link)
	I never leave criticism... I know that if done right it's a good thing to offer up, but I just never feel right about it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

pendulumchanges
2009-07-02 02:16 am UTC (link)

ditto... it just feel like this person went to the trouble of writing this drabble/fic/whatever and posting it and who am I to come along and say something doesn't work? If it doesn't work for me I just move along to the next post on my flist. But if people say they want real feedback then I'd be willing to give it.

Typos, broken links, spelling mistakes and that sort of thing are an exception to this rule... well, for me at least. I posted a drabble that I loved and no one told me until much later (thank you

noteverything!) that I was using "breathe" instead of "breath" and vice versa. I was so embarrassed! I wish someone had said *cough cough you're using the wrong word* I know others would feel differently about someone pointing out every typo, but they bug me a lot. Especially in drabbles. There are only 100 words to proofread. Please proofread them carefully!

And now I've gotten all off topic :P

(Reply to this) (Parent)

fun_demented
2009-07-02 05:01 am UTC (link)

Tweedy,

I have NEVER read something of yours that had a problem! And I believe you would like criticism.

If you were interested in an asylum for that, I think it would be best to submit stuff based on a challenge FROM that asylum. As opposed to offering up something that you've already posted all pretty and finished and received feedback for.

You have experience and not everyone leaving concrit will be as experienced as yourself. And sometimes people just "talk" if you ask them to without much to say. So I say keep your pretties safe and write something new that you've never done before and put it up for crit. ;)

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

noteverything
2009-07-03 03:18 am UTC (link)

I really would...and to that end, I didn't listen to your advice and posted a drabble asking for constructive criticism. It's been really interesting.

While I do agree that I've got a lot of experience drabbling, some people have even more experience in reading fanfic and I think even the most enthusiastic newbie can have good thoughts and suggestions...I don't know that I'd ask this sort of feedback on *everything* I post, it could be fun now and then, especially with things I feel sort of unsure about anyway.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	fun_demented 2009-07-03 04:48 am UTC (link)
	I don't know that I'd ask this sort of feedback on everything* I post, it could be fun now and then, especially with things I feel sort of unsure about anyway.* Nods Good for you. I think it's brave. (Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -