tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post8301721814005805605..comments2024-03-28T13:35:16.194-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: How to Handle Feedback on Our WritingJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-27286432938337252222022-10-15T00:46:29.296-04:002022-10-15T00:46:29.296-04:00 The Sims 4 Crackto the current mood, too, the beh...<a href="download360.net/the-sims-4-season-crack/" rel="nofollow"> The Sims 4 Crack</a>to the current mood, too, the behavior open to Sims can change. The new world to live free digital life is very popular. It also has no bugs, Trojans, spyware, attacks, malware, or viruses of all sorts. This program helps people to express their creativity as well as customize their Sim’s fantastic appearance and modest personalitiesswiftarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11451310495145001264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-77088642174042317392010-04-28T16:09:25.604-04:002010-04-28T16:09:25.604-04:00Interesting post.
Tomorrow my first 500 words are ...Interesting post.<br />Tomorrow my first 500 words are on show. Emily Bryan used her red pencil on them. The critique was so valuable, it stimulated me into a rewrite.Glynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-75833179831138364532010-04-26T19:48:05.260-04:002010-04-26T19:48:05.260-04:00Good post! I LOVE Self-editing for fiction writers...Good post! I LOVE Self-editing for fiction writers and thanks to Natasha, am getting quite good at taking uncompromisingly honest crits. She has such a pleasant tone!!! LOL.<br /><br />Sigh. There are still Patti-isms that I look right past and need help editing!!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Pattipattihttp://www.pattilacy.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-29675604863364320342010-04-26T11:01:45.241-04:002010-04-26T11:01:45.241-04:00I just got feedback from a contest judge today, an...I just got feedback from a contest judge today, and then read this post - perfect timing! Although there was good and bad feedback, I only focused on the bad - I felt crumpled up and argumentative. But your post is helping me not take it so personally and remember that she also gave me some good compliments on my writing. Thanks!Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02536773280389442809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-52659087949370933782010-04-25T18:00:27.109-04:002010-04-25T18:00:27.109-04:00As I get more critiques the thicker my skin gets, ...As I get more critiques the thicker my skin gets, but it never takes away from the initial burn. <br /><br />I had no idea that three different judges would offer feedback for the Genesis contest! Now I'm looking forward to getting back the results. I've checked out the Genesis page and cannot find the dates on when the first round results come in. Do you know? If not, that's OK. I'm sure I'l find out eventually. <br /><br />Your blog is so informative you should consider turning this material into a book, and marketing it towards writers.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-58315838788263486112010-04-25T13:01:52.996-04:002010-04-25T13:01:52.996-04:00I agree, Jody, timing is everything. And I definit...I agree, Jody, timing is everything. And I definitely would not want an agent to see work that had not been polished to within an inch of its life - by eyes clearer and more objective than mine. Thank you so much for the conversation.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67389582555281121232010-04-25T11:01:02.514-04:002010-04-25T11:01:02.514-04:00it depends on; I normally handle it well unless th...it depends on; I normally handle it well unless the critic is criticizing just for the sake of it. Then I get pissed off.Eeleen Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15221723342556515161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-46648752226902267482010-04-24T20:49:32.281-04:002010-04-24T20:49:32.281-04:00I like your advice on getting critiques. It's...I like your advice on getting critiques. It's always a little hard at first to hear something negative, but after I absorb it I realize it will only make my writing better. But I agree that some people are way too negative, even judges in contests, and we need to realize that some of those comments need not be taken to seriously.Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-38493200031207530502010-04-24T20:39:48.578-04:002010-04-24T20:39:48.578-04:00I don't know how you write these amazingly wel...I don't know how you write these amazingly well-thought out posts all the time! Good stuff.<br />I probably need some more brutality. I haven't had painful in a while.<br />I don't care for the word brutal either, but I get what you mean. I think it's important to point out that just because a crit is painful doesn't mean it's right for the story. I guess this makes me think of my wonderful husband. He'll work out and think that since it hurts he's doing something good, but sometimes it hurts because .... he's hurting his body! LOL (don't tell him I told you, heehee) So sometimes I think writers over-edit and kill their voices because they begin to equate pain with growth. Does that make sense?<br />Anyway, that's a tangent. LOL Great points, loved your list!Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-2131379445554275502010-04-24T15:18:48.073-04:002010-04-24T15:18:48.073-04:00Great post, Jody! And great timing too, with conte...Great post, Jody! And great timing too, with contest results/feedback coming in in another 2-3 weeks. I've gotten some encouraging and not so encouraging feedback on my MS. And really, I can totally see the problems when someone else points them out! And feel so stupid for not seeing such glaring problems on my own! I hope to thicken up my "skin" and learn and grow with each critique.Sherrinda Ketchersidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-51136609334858631842010-04-24T12:24:24.024-04:002010-04-24T12:24:24.024-04:00I used to get so frustrated in high school and esp...I used to get so frustrated in high school and especially in college. I usually got A's on essays, research papers, etc. I never got any feedback besides "Well written!" I guess it's because, compared to some of my classmates, my writing skills were somewhat more developed and I might have had a bit of natural talent. I never got feedback on ways to improve. I WANTED criticism. Begged for it. And not getting it, I think, was as much of a setback as if I'd gotten criticism I wasn't prepared to handle.Karen M. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06972093977468313631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-5515320909493262552010-04-24T10:43:17.393-04:002010-04-24T10:43:17.393-04:00Hi Deb,
I think that you're right about newbi...Hi Deb,<br /><br />I think that you're right about newbie writers, or young writers (children & youth). My daughters are both writing mysteries and I NEVER correct their work. At this point, they need the freedom to create and enjoy just making up whatever they want. I read what they write when they ask me, but I ONLY encourage them. I would probably do the same thing for any new writer.<br /><br />However, when a writer begins to get serious about publication, then it's time for the reality check. If they think they want to put their work "out there" for agents and editors to look at, then in my opinion they need to have someone else give them that "brutal" feedback first. I'd personally much rather have someone like a crit partner or contest judge tell me what I need to work on FIRST, before I sent the manuscript to an agent. <br /><br />Hope that makes sense, Deb! Thanks for clarifying that there is indeed an early stage, where we can crush a writer's spirit. We have to know WHEN the right time is to give the challenging feedback. If someone's ready to query, then they have to be ready to get that hard critique too.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-12454022247826565372010-04-24T09:23:28.455-04:002010-04-24T09:23:28.455-04:00I actually have mixed feelings about your advice t...I actually have mixed feelings about your advice this time. For myself at this point in my writing career, I agree completely. I'm ready for clear eyes with clear understanding of my work and want to hear the cleanest truth possible - no matter how hard it may be to hear. <br /><br />I have problems with the word "brutal" or any approach that is that harsh for the simple reason that it feels, well, brutal.<br /><br />As a teacher of writing, I believe strongly that a more positive approach is essential with the tender work of tender new writers. Too much negativity too soon can shut a writer down for good. That doesn't mean no feedback is ever given for improvement, but it does mean that feedback is given respectfully and carefully and with clear examples how to improve. <br /><br />As always, a thought provoking post.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-84252729764528714912010-04-24T08:02:04.152-04:002010-04-24T08:02:04.152-04:00Thanks for another juicy, thought-provoking post!
...Thanks for another juicy, thought-provoking post!<br /><br />I recently judged a contest and one of the thoughts I came away with afterward was how much I liked having to think about all the different elements of the story--whether or not I noticed them while I was reading. I blogged about that afterward as a possible methodology for critiquing, but haven't implemented it so far. After reading this post, I am even more determined to do so. <br /><br />What I find is that it's always easier to "hear" feedback when there is positive mixed in with the negative, and especially if there is positive before the negative. But I also discount feedback if there is too much positive. <br /><br />I wonder if creating a form that your critique partners have to go through would help solicit deserved praise as well as suggested areas for improvment. Does anyone use one with their critique group?Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-63430020842991691052010-04-24T06:25:31.790-04:002010-04-24T06:25:31.790-04:00Great question, Rosalind! And I think most of us c...Great question, Rosalind! And I think most of us can relate. We just don't have the objectivity to seeing our own work. In a previous post I likened it to a theater production. We writers are on the stage, directing the characters, queing them, getting the Acts into the appropriate places, etc. Our perspective is from the stage and we just can't see everything all at the same time. We need someone sitting in the audience to give us the big picture of how the production is really working (preferably someone with knowledge and expertise). Their perspective is different from ours and so criticial.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-4976907103764842292010-04-24T06:18:36.369-04:002010-04-24T06:18:36.369-04:00Hi Jody, I came to your blog via your Twitter comm...Hi Jody, I came to your blog via your Twitter comment retweet. I belong to a critique group that falls into your category 'Writing friends at/above my skill level' in that they're all well published. What amazes me is that I can take a piece of WIP to the meeting, feeling confident that it's good. They then give me their honest opinions and I see at once where the weaknesses are. I understand why I need to make changes and what changes I need to make. Why can't I see that for myself?Rosalind Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363027308436257933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74577606620234295142010-04-23T20:20:02.876-04:002010-04-23T20:20:02.876-04:00Hi Jody -
With Genesis feedback around the corner...Hi Jody -<br /><br />With Genesis feedback around the corner, this is a timely post. I hope the judges in my category are as wise and kind as you. :)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-87927178808187790082010-04-23T19:42:08.547-04:002010-04-23T19:42:08.547-04:00I used to be so shy and I loved writing because I ...I used to be so shy and I loved writing because I could do it in isolation. I didn't want anyone reading my work. Then I decided I loved to write so much that I began to want to share it. Family and friends only ever said nice things about it. They wanted to encourage me. Then I found some people at Uni who were willing to tell me the truth and my writing improved so much because of it.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-64444899170865372312010-04-23T19:37:14.940-04:002010-04-23T19:37:14.940-04:00I love your posts. I've been here with you a l...I love your posts. I've been here with you a long time now.. wow! A year! Anyway...<br /><br />I have a revision problem. I'm TOO thick skinned. TOO open to ideas. I've found that I'll take a hard look and often agree too soon with whatever anyone has said. This leads to mass confusion. For example, I'll have someone say, "Do you really need this character? Don't you think he/she is peripheral?" And I'll think "YES!!! Of course! That's the problem!... and write out the character. AND THEN another reader will read a newer version and say.."HEY? Where's that great character.... I miss him!"<br /><br />Sometimes I wish I wasn't so excited to change my work. But I look at all critique as an opportunity to make everything better. That's how I read for others as well. A story can ALWAYS get better. And that's what we want, right? XO SAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556206184198452490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-25683172934948367922010-04-23T17:40:51.648-04:002010-04-23T17:40:51.648-04:00Interesting post. You are right on the money when ...Interesting post. You are right on the money when you say we need honest feedback rather than placating compliments. I like here nice things, but it frustrates the heck out of me to get something back that says it's perfect.<br /><br />I've never been in a contest before, so I don't know how valuable those critiques can be, but I feel so fortunate with my writing group. There are seven of us, a mix between published and soon-to-be-published writers, and every one of them knows their stuff. And since they see the raw work, their critiques are often more then my editors. <br /><br />I love their suggestions, though, because they have helped me transform my work from mediocre to something so much better. I'm working through some critiques and rewriting right now and it's so exciting! And since there are 6 others, if they all say something doesn't work, I have to listen! :)Heidi Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18420802651029097379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-8705630948127572172010-04-23T17:29:05.422-04:002010-04-23T17:29:05.422-04:00I really liked your hierarchy of helpfulness. I le...I really liked your hierarchy of helpfulness. I learned the hard way that people who don't write are not going to be able to give me the kind of constructive criticism I need. They can tell me that they are bored, or didn't like a character, but they can't break the craft apart to tell me why. Great post!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00222330734484913128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-18657387014592083132010-04-23T14:52:09.657-04:002010-04-23T14:52:09.657-04:00If you can't take any negative criticism then ...If you can't take any negative criticism then you should hide yourself away from the world. If no body every pointed out a mistake it would never be fixed. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean its bad. I tried to give an author with a low writing skill some help and I was suddenly the bad guy!--actually girl. Feedback is a part of life, take the good with the bad and do the best you can.xoxohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04536775957390613454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-60491090542191651932010-04-23T14:40:21.713-04:002010-04-23T14:40:21.713-04:00Honest critiques from people in the biz (pubbed wr...Honest critiques from people in the biz (pubbed writers, writers not-yet-but-soon-to-be-pubbed) helped me tremendously.<br /><br />One thing I always suggest people do before I critique their work is to READ MY STUFF -- not to critique it for me, but just so that they have a feel for how I write. <br /><br />If they think my writing stinks, if they wonder how I ever got pubbed, then they won't respect what I have to say.Cynthia Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13128418037470085123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-18077958489806939082010-04-23T12:50:25.289-04:002010-04-23T12:50:25.289-04:00I love how your posts always add value in unexpect...I love how your posts always add value in unexpected ways. For instance, we've all read a million articles/posts on handling critiques. But the way you come in with the feedback about contest judges & then provide the critique hierarchy makes this post totally unique & informative.<br /><br />Thanks again for the insights.Kirsten Leskohttp://disobedientwriter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-30506395001019580342010-04-23T12:33:48.176-04:002010-04-23T12:33:48.176-04:00Terrific post, Jody - I always learn so much from ...Terrific post, Jody - I always learn so much from your wisdom and insight. I will definitely keep this advice in mind, knowing that I need to develop a thick skin!Julie Daohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13814052162359300933noreply@blogger.com