InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Marriage is a doomsday machine"

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!

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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)

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