Kind of stuck in a position here -- Fic Recon

Click here for an easy and free way to help protect endangered habitat at The Rainforest Site! Non-profit ad by Voyager

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, [7], 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 18:11:45 06/18/07 Mon
Author: Theresa
Subject: Kind of stuck in a position here

First of all this isn't directed at anyone on this board or really even in the fandom. I'm kind of stuck in a position here. I've been asked to Beta read for people or have been sent stories asking what I think. When someone wants honesty, how do I tell them they totally stink as a writer? When I'm being sent pieces that are so poorly written that if they were posted on a website I would hit the back button before the third line, how can I tell them that they need serious help before they publish anything without sounding condescending or mean? And if I don't tell them what I really think, how can I claim to be an honest person? Is it better to let them publish it and get bad or no reviews, than to tell them privately that they don't have a handle on the craft of writing, and they should wait a long time and have a lot of personal practice and training before they try to publish?

Help!

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Difficult question... -- lska, 23:18:06 06/18/07 Mon
lska's comments are very insightful, and probably the "right" way to respond. -- BCKemp65, 08:23:33 06/19/07 Tue
I agree with the advice already given. It's one thing to see a poor excuse for a story on the boards and not provide feedback, but if you've been asked for private feedback, I think you need to be as kind and as honest as possible. You're not doing them any favors by withholding your opinion. It just may take time to craft the tactful reply. (NT) -- TK, 08:33:33 06/19/07 Tue
I recently had a published writer make a comment about she'd rather have the problem that her book was well written but not marketable because some people have great 'marketable' ideas and can't write their way out of a paperbag. - inside -- clk, 09:37:44 06/19/07 Tue
- So, and this is just a question and not a judgement, you would be okay with scaring someone off who had desire but no/limited technical skill? I get what you're saying, but ... inside, please ... -- BCKemp65, 10:42:05 06/19/07 Tue
  - inside -- clk, 12:44:01 06/19/07 Tue
    - re: inside -- lska, 14:17:56 06/19/07 Tue
      - I don't want to sound rude- but there is a huge difference between a beta which basically means read this over for errors and minor suggestions - to hold my hand I want to write but my story is terrible - inside -- clk, 15:22:20 06/19/07 Tue
        re: inside -- lska, 15:47:51 06/19/07 Tue
        now there I agree with you - it isn't anyone business to tell you you'll never be any good at crocheting -- clk, 16:30:36 06/19/07 Tue
        Ah. -- lska, 20:01:11 06/19/07 Tue
        yes- I think you hit the nail on the head. I've betad often for many people- some better writers than others - some who if I catch a wrong comma I'm surprised!! Some who the page is covered in suggestions - but I was definitely focusing on what to tell the person who aks your opinion and your opinion is - the story is really bad. (Stinks) (NT) -- clk-, 20:36:28 06/19/07 Tue
        I think I'm going to agree to disagree here. -- BCKemp65, 16:01:20 06/19/07 Tue
    - Inside, please ... -- BCKemp65, 14:48:08 06/19/07 Tue
      - ROFL- oh that was too well said - I drew my conclusions from experience and her words - THIS STINKS - I know how painful it is to see someone who really wants to write and simply hasn't the talent. -- clk, 16:14:38 06/19/07 Tue
        I should probably add - though I used a friend trying to get published I in no way expect fanfic writers to subject themselves to mainstream fiction standards - if that were the case all of my own works would fail miserably. (NT) -- clk, 16:19:39 06/19/07 Tue
        Best of luck with your friend. I can empathize; she sounds like a relative of mine. -- BCKemp65, 16:24:38 06/19/07 Tue
        out of curiosity- are you a student or a teacher? (NT) -- clk, 20:41:00 06/19/07 Tue
        I'm a jack of all trades and master of none. -- BCKemp65, 08:28:29 06/20/07 Wed
        you have a way with words that's quite impressive- LOL- humor is hard to sell, but even harder to write. Inside -- clk, 09:14:51 06/20/07 Wed
I can empathize with your quandary. I beta read in multiple fandoms, and I've been where you are more times than I can count. I don't know if my thoughts will help or not, but they're inside if you're interested. -- Pixie, 15:19:23 06/21/07 Thu

[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 2.94, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums^(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2012 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.