tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post7075723340255553586..comments2023-09-26T09:38:19.897-05:00Comments on Random Thoughts: OY!!! BE. HONEST.Jennifer Hendrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01239194419535919631noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-390337964932995962007-07-13T19:24:00.000-05:002007-07-13T19:24:00.000-05:00Beth,You're right. It still irks me to no end, th...Beth,<BR/><BR/>You're right. It still irks me to no end, though. (g) Oh well -- too many other things to worry about right now. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for jumping in.<BR/><BR/>JenJennifer Hendrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01239194419535919631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-81404019288392882752007-07-13T18:40:00.000-05:002007-07-13T18:40:00.000-05:00Jen, ultimately the writer is responsible for own ...Jen, ultimately the writer is responsible for own choices. If he can be so easily discouraged by constructive critcism, writing is not the career for him.<BR/><BR/>OTOH, he may be disheartened for awhile and then bounce back, determined to learn from his mistakes and make himself a better writer.<BR/><BR/>Either way, you've done him a favor. So away with the guilt. :)Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504439129670380071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-8867069523032164472007-07-13T09:58:00.000-05:002007-07-13T09:58:00.000-05:00Carol,I like your pillow on spikes analogy...that'...Carol,<BR/><BR/>I like your pillow on spikes analogy...that's exactly it. It does no one any good. Granted, some people may be very honest in their crits and just haven't reached a level where they can spot the same problems in their own work. I get that... heck, I used to be one of them. I shudder to think of some of the "advice" I dished out when I was just beginning. But alas, I know some of these writers -- for the most part, they knew better and I can't begin to fathom why they did that. <BR/><BR/>I guess that goes into my mantra -- "consider the source." lol<BR/><BR/>Anyway -- yeah, sore subject with me too. Blah.<BR/><BR/>JenJennifer Hendrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01239194419535919631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-85995964582021490962007-07-13T09:56:00.000-05:002007-07-13T09:56:00.000-05:00Helene,I'll admit my mom thinks I can do no wrong....Helene,<BR/><BR/>I'll admit my mom thinks I can do no wrong. LOL. When I told her D.A. wanted changes, she said, "But I love your book just the way it is!." (g) Now that's supportive. :)<BR/><BR/>My sister, on the other hand, still refuses to read FI. She did read BTPM, after which she said my characters were BOTH whiny, but that she liked the book overall. See, even sisters can be overly kind when they don't like something. lol.<BR/><BR/>Oh well, I guess what really upsets me is that I've been sort of made to be the bad guy in this situation and it sucks. (g) Had I been overly mean, I'd take the credit -- but here I was just trying to be helpful and now I have to deal with the fact this person just gave up.<BR/><BR/>And I know the other side of the argument -- this person shouldn't be so easily swayed... it still sucks. :)<BR/><BR/>JenJennifer Hendrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01239194419535919631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-24752675718417752882007-07-13T09:28:00.000-05:002007-07-13T09:28:00.000-05:00Hi Helene,And look where you are. See, Mama knows...Hi Helene,<BR/>And look where you are. See, Mama knows best. (wink)<BR/><BR/>Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying to pulverize anyone. I'm just saying, be truthful. If you're going to lie to me in a crit, do both of us a favor, and skip my work. You aren't doing any favors with this.Carol Spradlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09644867006375982719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-37427363565802850402007-07-13T07:27:00.000-05:002007-07-13T07:27:00.000-05:00"Leave the ego stroking for your mama."Carol--my m..."Leave the ego stroking for your mama."<BR/><BR/>Carol--my mom is my HARSHEST critic! She rips my stuff to shreds. LOLhelgorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15376749960471835393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-20041344713217306592007-07-13T06:10:00.000-05:002007-07-13T06:10:00.000-05:00Jen,I did my own rant on this a few weeks ago on m...Jen,<BR/><BR/>I did my own rant on this a few weeks ago on my LJ, maybe I should bring it to my blog. <BR/><BR/>You couldn't have said it better. All this type of critting does is place a pillow over sharp spikes. It doesn't matter how fluffy you think the landing is, you're going to be impaled.<BR/><BR/>When I first submitted my work for crit, I was ripped to shreds, and grateful for it. I get more than enough rejections with a polished ms. Could you imagine my prospects if I had submitted it before caring critters got hold of it? That's right. Critters who care are honest and tell you what's wrong and how to fix it. Leave the ego stroking for your mama. If you think critters are rough, wait til you face agents.<BR/><BR/>What's worse is when the writer openly says, I have problems in a particlar area. I've never seen a more open door for assistance. How horribly cruel for this to be said and critters convince her that her writing in that area is fine. Shame on them.<BR/><BR/>Of course, when someone comes along with no history of this and does give an honest crit...well by now even the writer has bought into a false assuance that her writing is pristine, and look who ends up being the bad guy. The one person who cared enough to try to better this person's writing. Oy vey, indeed!<BR/><BR/>Um, sorry to go off, but you touched a very raw nerve. If you'd like, I can pm you as to how I really feel. (VBG)Carol Spradlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09644867006375982719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-47903560123128228282007-07-12T22:37:00.000-05:002007-07-12T22:37:00.000-05:00Helene,LOL -- one of the critters said my writing ...Helene,<BR/><BR/>LOL -- one of the critters said my writing was near perfect, despite some concerns I raised. *ruh roh*<BR/><BR/>(g)<BR/><BR/>JenJennifer Hendrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01239194419535919631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408971107003934333.post-38845939625948952452007-07-12T22:20:00.000-05:002007-07-12T22:20:00.000-05:00You are preaching to the choir sistah!:-)You are preaching to the choir sistah!<BR/><BR/>:-)helgorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15376749960471835393noreply@blogger.com