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Date Posted: 12:21:38 10/26/02 Sat
Author: Kaylorin
Author Host/IP: pcp632159pcs.newhvn01.in.comcast.net / 68.53.200.184
Subject: A question for writers in this group.
I'm just now reading TR for next week. Its so not like me, I know, but my plate passed full about 2 weeks ago and is now overflowing onto the floor. A little goo on the carpet... and I don't have time to clean it. LoL
So, here is my question;
Do any writers feel odd grading on her people writing? I find myself saying "Well that seems off." and then thinking of a point where I wrote the same way. then feel guilty for annoying people.
Sounds funny.. I know. I'm a funny gal. But I almost feel bad if I mark lower because someone made a mistake I make.. Like um, spelling.. or even for something that is writen in a form I don't enjoy reading, like POV.
I guess this is more of a rant than a question. But hey, I made a new thread, so yay.
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I know what you mean... -- Bri, 13:03:15 10/26/02 Sat (cpe-66-1-253-227.co.sprintbbd.net/66.1.253.227)
...but I think that any writer who is serious about his or her craft is always willing to accept criticisms and look for ways to improve themselves. Sometimes it's easier for someone to notice things in other people's work that they themselves have problems with. Aside from obvious mechanical errors like spelling or grammar, the most noticeable problems are the things you're looking for.
Personally, my biggest problem is action scenes-I can't write them worth a damn, so I notice when someone else's actions scenes are a little weak. Characterization, and especially dialogue, are my strong suits, so I sometimes don't notice weaknesses there as clearly as another person might.
To sum up, I do on occasion feel guilty for picking at people, but that's one of the purposes of writing-to learn our weak areas and how to improve them. So when I start to feel guilty for criticizing something, I just tell myself, "Hey. We're being nice and constructive here, and that's what I'd want if someone were critiquing me."
Or I could just be trying to make myself feel better for being a horrible, horrible person...
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Not a writer, but I have and opinon and like to use it (hee) -- KatLurkin, 13:59:46 10/26/02 Sat (pcp02303222pcs.manass01.va.comcast.net/68.52.163.61)
The score is not the main point as far as I'm concerned that helps narrow down the choice of who gets the recommendation, but Its the views and opinions of everyone.
I find it fascinating to read the thing I hated, someone else loved or didn't mind. Also I'm getting exposure to fiction and story themes I wouldn't other wise have read before.
I am looking at the stories in a different light. When stories portray the characters the way I like them best or focus on ships I enjoy .. . . or written in a style I like, I am more likely to overlook or not notice flaws. But if I am reading a story that doesn't necessarily suit my tasted, I focus more on the writing quality, characterization and of course my opinion of whether I enjoyed it. I think others do something similar. It is different to see the different interpretation people have of the same piece of writing, the different impacts the story has . . .. :)
Any anyone who want to be a writer, had better get used to a critiques and outright criticism or they will never get better or even survive as a writer. Some people write to narrate something that is inside them they want to express. Some write to have others enjoy a story they are telling. If there is not feedback both positive and negative, how do you know the story you meant to tell is getting told or what about your story people are enjoying?
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all good points. -- Kaylorin, 15:02:05 10/26/02 Sat (pcp632159pcs.newhvn01.in.comcast.net/68.53.200.184)
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an opinion and like to use it [and you use it well, KatLurkin] -- morgain, 17:15:08 10/26/02 Sat (modemcable225.121-203-24.mtl.mc.videotron.ca/24.203.121.225)
and generally, the reviewers have been quite constructive [as opposed to destructive and mean] in their reviews.
I am impressed.
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I do agree.... -- Jade, 19:52:26 10/26/02 Sat (inktomi3-nth.server.ntl.com/62.253.32.6)
If you read my fics they are full of mistakes. But it's well rounded, if the story is good, but the spelling and grammer bad, the story will get higher points of the plot. If the plot is something I hate, I go for grammer and spelling.
I should really correct my stories, but i'm lazy.
I have only ever had one bad review and it did quite upset me, but it went something like, 'Your story sucks, don't upload any more,' but all the rest of the reviews were positive. I personally would mind someone offering a reason why they didn't like it and how I correct it...
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the one really bad one I had... -- Kaylorin, 15:29:29 10/27/02 Sun (pcp632159pcs.newhvn01.in.comcast.net/68.53.200.184)
..inspired me to find a good beta reader. It basically told me the mistakes were so bad she just plain couldn't read it.
Strangely enough she didn't say she'd do the beta, but took special time letting me know how terrible it was.
I will say my stuff reads better now, I take more time and try to catch as much of my mistakes as I can. Also I have three beta readers now, and they doa great job.
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I had a beta reader, -- Jade, 16:21:56 10/27/02 Sun (inktomi3-nth.server.ntl.com/62.253.32.6)
But she took weeks and I mean weeks to get back to me.
I asked a load of people, but they were all to busy.
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Well... -- Kaylorin, 09:33:07 10/28/02 Mon (pcp632159pcs.newhvn01.in.comcast.net/68.53.200.184)
I put a request up as part of my Authors Notes pretty much saying when I get on a roll, I want to post fast. I only had one problem with a beta reader, but she also runs several sites so I knew why and got someone else. No hard feeling.
I have a story I'm doing for myself on the side and morgain is helping. She is busy and it takes awhile, but it's a side story, so it's not a big deal.
The girl doing Akoshta for me is fast. I rarely have to wait more than 24 hours. But when she said she wanted to help out, she made it clear she had a free evening nearly daily. So I think it's a matter of matching the project to the beta reader.
The funny one is the woman I babysat for last summer. She liked my stories so much she offeredd to do my ficlets, which are now also posted at FF.net.
Ok.. that was a ramble.
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Lol... -- Jade, 14:26:25 10/28/02 Mon (inktomi3-nth.server.ntl.com/62.253.32.6)
I have asked a few people off of that site, the Buffy guild thingy, but a few never emailed back. Why put your name there if you aren't willing to beta?
Some people!
I'm really slow at writing at the moment, i've got writers block. So there is no point me finding anyone now:-)
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A beta's answer to Jade -- treacle antlers, 14:11:28 10/29/02 Tue (host213-122-36-1.in-addr.btopenworld.com/213.122.36.1)
Speaking as someone who betas regularly for up to five writers at a time; I have my name on a number of sites, but you really have no way of regulating the number of people who'll contact you!! I try to reply to all my alphas in no more than two days, but it's pretty hard. I also keep everyones' work in separate folders on my DTP, colour-coded as to who is due for a reply next, and yet I still get confused. Once I even sent a girl back someone else's story saying something like:'Well done...this is a much better chapter!' So very embarrassing.
But seriously, I love to beta. I may not be the best writer in the world, but I think my editing skills are excellent - thanks largely to years working in the advertising and publishing industry. I have three writers I'm editing WIPs for at the moment but I could spare some time for you Jade, as long as you're not too prolific! Anyway, here's my email.
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Thanks very much! I don't have anything at the moment... -- Jade, 17:23:41 10/29/02 Tue (inktomi3-nth.server.ntl.com/62.253.32.6)
But I will save your addy for the future!
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