BWFoster78
Myth Weaver
A while back, there was a popular thread on giving critique — a useful an interesting subject. I think, however, that the far more interesting and useful subject is accepting critique.
Anytime I receive any kind of substantive feedback, I’m left with the decision, “Do I accept or reject this advice?”
Sometimes, that’s an easy choice.
A. The advice is clearly correct. I think, “Doh! Why didn’t I see that? Cool deal.”
B. The advice is clearly incorrect:
a. My characters are in a cave in pitch blackness. A sentence clearly states that they light a torch. They see something. The commenter says, “How could they see in the dark?” Well, you missed the completely clear, unambiguous statement.
b. I hate present tense. Maybe I read your piece and say, “Good Lord, this sux. Use past tense.” Well, some people actually like present tense. You’re apparently one of them. Changing your tense to please me is idiotic.
Most of the time, though, the choice is anything but clear. Some thoughts:
1. Never accept critique out of obligation. In my way of thinking, an implied contract exists between you and the critiquer. The critiquer owes you exactly one thing — an honest opinion. In turn, you owe the critiquer exactly two things — your thanks for the comments and consideration of the opinion. You absolutely are not obligated to accept any part of the comments.
2. Consideration of the source of the critique can be problematic. Just because the critiquer is more experienced than you does not mean the comments are right for you. Just because the critiquer is less experienced than you does not mean that the comments aren’t exactly what you need. Just because the critiquer enjoys a style completely different than yours doesn’t mean that incorporating the comments wouldn’t enhance your writing.
3. Give each comment due consideration. Let’s say that a critiquer gives you 10 comments, and the first 9 fall into the WTF category. That doesn’t mean that the 10th might not be brilliant beyond belief and change the course of your writing.
4. Even when you reject a comment, keep it in the back of your mind. Maybe you just weren’t ready to hear the advice. One of the first things a critique partner ever told me was “get more inside your character’s head.” I had no idea what that meant at the time. Now, I think that being inside the character’s head is a key component of my writing. I’m still trying to master that.
None of the above answers the question of how you figure out if you should accept advice or not. Truthfully, I got nothin’. At the moment, I’m just kinda going with what feels right.
Any thoughts?
All I do know is that most of the leaps forward in my writing ability have come after receiving feedback.
Thanks.
Brian
Anytime I receive any kind of substantive feedback, I’m left with the decision, “Do I accept or reject this advice?”
Sometimes, that’s an easy choice.
A. The advice is clearly correct. I think, “Doh! Why didn’t I see that? Cool deal.”
B. The advice is clearly incorrect:
a. My characters are in a cave in pitch blackness. A sentence clearly states that they light a torch. They see something. The commenter says, “How could they see in the dark?” Well, you missed the completely clear, unambiguous statement.
b. I hate present tense. Maybe I read your piece and say, “Good Lord, this sux. Use past tense.” Well, some people actually like present tense. You’re apparently one of them. Changing your tense to please me is idiotic.
Most of the time, though, the choice is anything but clear. Some thoughts:
1. Never accept critique out of obligation. In my way of thinking, an implied contract exists between you and the critiquer. The critiquer owes you exactly one thing — an honest opinion. In turn, you owe the critiquer exactly two things — your thanks for the comments and consideration of the opinion. You absolutely are not obligated to accept any part of the comments.
2. Consideration of the source of the critique can be problematic. Just because the critiquer is more experienced than you does not mean the comments are right for you. Just because the critiquer is less experienced than you does not mean that the comments aren’t exactly what you need. Just because the critiquer enjoys a style completely different than yours doesn’t mean that incorporating the comments wouldn’t enhance your writing.
3. Give each comment due consideration. Let’s say that a critiquer gives you 10 comments, and the first 9 fall into the WTF category. That doesn’t mean that the 10th might not be brilliant beyond belief and change the course of your writing.
4. Even when you reject a comment, keep it in the back of your mind. Maybe you just weren’t ready to hear the advice. One of the first things a critique partner ever told me was “get more inside your character’s head.” I had no idea what that meant at the time. Now, I think that being inside the character’s head is a key component of my writing. I’m still trying to master that.
None of the above answers the question of how you figure out if you should accept advice or not. Truthfully, I got nothin’. At the moment, I’m just kinda going with what feels right.
Any thoughts?
All I do know is that most of the leaps forward in my writing ability have come after receiving feedback.
Thanks.
Brian