I'm starting to learn how important critiques are! I would have never thought of them as a help to my
writing at one time, but now I realize how valuable they are!
I hope other senior writers here at Aphelion add to this and share some input as to why critiques are so helpful.
I'm sure there are many reasons why--the basic reasons are ubiquitous---and I'm not going to go over them, but I'm sure each writer has a unique perspective on critiques. I would love to read how critiques have helped out others.
Critiques
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kailhofer
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Re: Critiques
The value of critiques?
To use a blacksmithing metaphor, those faceless, form rejections we all get are like heat from the forge. They sizzle and burn, heating us up, but critiques are the hammer blows that actually turn us into something as writers.
Said strike may be only a glancing blow. "Liked it." or "Didn't work for me."
Another hit may lay us flat. "dislikable characters" or "badly defined plot structure" or "broke my suspension of disbelief" followed by why, in detail
Another may polish a detail. "reduce the number of adverbs in the opening paragraph" or "make this passage more active" or "consider giving this character a flaw, he'll be more interesting"
These are the things that sharpen our skills, and make us strong. Without them, we're just blank stock, waiting to become something that may never be.
I've received poor critiques and ones that hit me so hard I came out a different writer, but I think it is just as valuable is to critique others. I know I learned far more critting than I've received in return. So I guess my view on it is be critiqued all you can, but crit others even more. You'll wind up a much better writer for the effort, and a better help to other writers, too.
Nate
To use a blacksmithing metaphor, those faceless, form rejections we all get are like heat from the forge. They sizzle and burn, heating us up, but critiques are the hammer blows that actually turn us into something as writers.
Said strike may be only a glancing blow. "Liked it." or "Didn't work for me."
Another hit may lay us flat. "dislikable characters" or "badly defined plot structure" or "broke my suspension of disbelief" followed by why, in detail
Another may polish a detail. "reduce the number of adverbs in the opening paragraph" or "make this passage more active" or "consider giving this character a flaw, he'll be more interesting"
These are the things that sharpen our skills, and make us strong. Without them, we're just blank stock, waiting to become something that may never be.
I've received poor critiques and ones that hit me so hard I came out a different writer, but I think it is just as valuable is to critique others. I know I learned far more critting than I've received in return. So I guess my view on it is be critiqued all you can, but crit others even more. You'll wind up a much better writer for the effort, and a better help to other writers, too.
Nate
Last edited by kailhofer on June 27, 2007, 07:04:41 PM, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Critiques
When critiquing a story---here at Aphelion---how do you approach your critique? Do you read other critique about the story then write yours, or do you read the story and write a critique without looking over the other ones.
I know, this might be a very small point, but it does have some value.
Of course, someone has to write the first critique, but then in succeeding critiques, each writer can look at the first one or a previous one before he/she writes his/her own.
I never read another’s critique before I posted my own. I always thought that the best way---since mine would be fresh without outside influence from another’s. But I’m not so sure anymore.
If you read another’s first, then you can ‘wrap around’ his/hers so to speak and add more to the total critiques on the story.
Just an interesting thought!
I know, this might be a very small point, but it does have some value.
Of course, someone has to write the first critique, but then in succeeding critiques, each writer can look at the first one or a previous one before he/she writes his/her own.
I never read another’s critique before I posted my own. I always thought that the best way---since mine would be fresh without outside influence from another’s. But I’m not so sure anymore.
If you read another’s first, then you can ‘wrap around’ his/hers so to speak and add more to the total critiques on the story.
Just an interesting thought!
Tesla Lives!!!
Just in case people missed them the first time around:
Thoughts on Writing #4: People Are Going To Be Mean To You
Thoughts On Writing #5: People Are Going To Be Mean To You: Take Two
If you've *not* been reading Seanan McGuire's essay series on writing, you really should go back and take a look. It's pretty juicy stuff and it's aimed squarely at what we want to do as a zine community.
Thoughts on Writing #4: People Are Going To Be Mean To You
Thoughts On Writing #5: People Are Going To Be Mean To You: Take Two
If you've *not* been reading Seanan McGuire's essay series on writing, you really should go back and take a look. It's pretty juicy stuff and it's aimed squarely at what we want to do as a zine community.