tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post7157475610893361789..comments2024-01-03T23:18:26.327-05:00Comments on Celeste Jones: A Writer's Dilemma---What Do You Think? Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-81658648811798813092013-04-09T19:45:01.022-04:002013-04-09T19:45:01.022-04:00When people ask me what kind of feedback I want, t...When people ask me what kind of feedback I want, the truth is I want anything/everything they're willing to give me, but I don't want to ask for the moon. I guess this makes sense why they're asking that question... Renee Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414212384941364401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-23008403782788339532013-03-25T12:07:33.374-04:002013-03-25T12:07:33.374-04:00Thanks Ana!
I think the other thing to consider ...Thanks Ana! <br /><br />I think the other thing to consider is that a critiquing relationship is a tricky match and finding someone whose judgment you respect and who "gets" your work is more complicated than just "Hey, I know you can read so how about giving this a shot?"Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-66779383140350607992013-03-25T11:43:38.731-04:002013-03-25T11:43:38.731-04:00If someone brushes me off when I have taken the ti...If someone brushes me off when I have taken the time and effort to critique, I don't critique again. Critiquing is a professional skill for which we have given time and money to develop. Why waste it on people who don't appreciate it?<br /><br />Certainly people can be too harsh in their critique, dead wrong, or unable to see what the story is meant to accomplish. Critiquing your stories,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-31755910547736047682013-03-25T10:25:54.826-04:002013-03-25T10:25:54.826-04:00Thanks Sue! You're right, I am concerned about...Thanks Sue! You're right, I am concerned about damaging our friendship. Hopefully it will be a few months before she asks again, but if she does, I think I'll just do a quick proofread and leave it at that. Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-65262446281273959192013-03-25T10:23:14.256-04:002013-03-25T10:23:14.256-04:00Thanks Cara.
As many have said elsewhere, a pers...Thanks Cara. <br /><br />As many have said elsewhere, a person's writing is like their child so if you are asked to critique someone else's work, bear in mind that it's like them asking you what you think of their kid. <br /><br />On the other hand, believing that your child is perfect all the time is pretty poor parenting. <br /><br />Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-72372813696865279602013-03-25T10:18:07.037-04:002013-03-25T10:18:07.037-04:00It sounds to me like she just wanted a proofreader...It sounds to me like she just wanted a proofreader and already had her mind set on the content and was ready to move forward with publication. I wouldn't tell her how you really felt about the book. That would probably result in hurt feelings and might even threaten your friendship. I've been in similiar situations before and I hate it! For this reason, I have critiqued very few books by Sue Lyndonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05420556675096411446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-52187979737432175152013-03-25T10:15:42.485-04:002013-03-25T10:15:42.485-04:00Thanks Emma.
I guess since she didn't actual...Thanks Emma. <br /><br />I guess since she didn't actually ask me if I liked it, she didn't want to know. :) <br />Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-17525488839692831372013-03-25T08:20:57.936-04:002013-03-25T08:20:57.936-04:00I've been down this road in critique groups, w...I've been down this road in critique groups, where writers resisted changing anything other than a comma, yet insisted they wanted their work to be critiqued. In reality, some people aren't looking for a critique, but a positive review. They want positive strokes, they want to be told how wonderful you think their work is.<br /><br />Other times, although a writer might genuinely want a Cara Bristolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13787980548582603649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-11619342301830111702013-03-25T07:50:15.537-04:002013-03-25T07:50:15.537-04:00It's always tough to figure out what to say wh...It's always tough to figure out what to say when you don't like someone's work or think it needs a lot of work. I try to gently say what I have problems with--but it can get frustrating if someone really pushes for feedback, but then won't really consider it... I think clarifying what she's looking for at the beginning is a good idea. I also don't think you have to read Emma K. Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03620486761871509386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-55268804418396065532013-03-24T21:50:32.163-04:002013-03-24T21:50:32.163-04:00Thanks, Claire. I agree, I'd never want to bla...Thanks, Claire. I agree, I'd never want to blast her story and be harsh about it. It is her decision and she'll have to live with it, and maybe I'm wrong and others will love the story. I guess we'll find out soon. Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-1867343227451257942013-03-24T21:48:55.339-04:002013-03-24T21:48:55.339-04:00Good points, Minelle. I don't really think she...Good points, Minelle. I don't really think she believes that my comments can make her story better. So...why is she asking me? Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-32908912393862482192013-03-24T21:43:54.070-04:002013-03-24T21:43:54.070-04:00I certainly wouldn't tell her what you really ...I certainly wouldn't tell her what you really think, I.e. that it's terrible. Just make some suggestions in a gentle way and if she chooses to ignore them, it's really her business and her problem. Claire Colinsgrove, aka 1950s Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08191322458122020702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-39690092559634570172013-03-24T21:43:29.559-04:002013-03-24T21:43:29.559-04:00Sometimes it is hard to hear criticisms, however I...Sometimes it is hard to hear criticisms, however I want to hear constructive comments. I don't want a bashing...I want to learn and become better. I want to hear about the story, and the mechanics.<br />I am not sure your friend wants to hear what you think!Minielle Labraunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16206283897752166320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-87772077139019502052013-03-24T21:30:24.402-04:002013-03-24T21:30:24.402-04:00Thanks Sunnygirl!
I suppose it all comes down to...Thanks Sunnygirl! <br /><br />I suppose it all comes down to clear communication about what each person expects. Maybe if I'd clarified that before I started I wouldn't be so frustrated now. Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-22884400071946336442013-03-24T21:11:32.278-04:002013-03-24T21:11:32.278-04:00I think people really want an honest opinion. I w...I think people really want an honest opinion. I welcome other opinions. I may not agree and if I don't I will try to explain to the "reader" why I think it's a certain way. If they don't see it my way then I will rework.<br /><br />I think it would be up to the author to explain what they want you to do whether it be punctuation or content. I would also ask if they want Aimless Ramblinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00720714875762344391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-9581071219828096412013-03-24T20:25:24.210-04:002013-03-24T20:25:24.210-04:00Thanks PK! You make some good points. Some people ...Thanks PK! You make some good points. Some people are better at feeback on the story itself and others might be better at punctuation and spelling. <br /><br />I think your point about the 30 seconds of hurt feelings but then you consider their point is very important. I get those same stings when I get something back and it's not glowing w/praise, but I try to at least consider what the Celeste Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636997442600551241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3164186761666324757.post-69341514605515067112013-03-24T20:12:40.730-04:002013-03-24T20:12:40.730-04:00I 'edit' a friend's work for content -...I 'edit' a friend's work for content - where did I get lost, this need more explanation, and so on. I'd never notice a missed comma or a mis-spelling. I've asked several people to look over the beginning of my Cassie book. I need to know what they really think of it. When I get their response back my feelings are usually hurt for about 30 seconds and then I try to listen PKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02050453501744475319noreply@blogger.com