Comments on: Processing Critiques: Tuning In vs. Tuning Out

By: Miffie Seideman

Miffie Seideman — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 15:47:38 +0000

This is such a valuable and important perspective on receiving and, more importantly, digesting critique.

By: Lori Ann Freeland

Lori Ann Freeland — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:43:37 +0000

In reply to Julie Glover. That was a huge moment for me too realizing that. It opens so many more opportunities to keep the scene/the character/the relationship and to make it work by "showing."

By: Lori Ann Freeland

Lori Ann Freeland — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 14:41:42 +0000

In reply to dholcomb1. Denise, I'm glad you figured that out! Somehow, at least for me, when we can pinpoint what the actual issue is, it's easier to figure out what to do.

By: Julie Glover

Julie Glover — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:04:55 +0000

Not only is this post great, it just resolved a specific scene problem I have. "Readers believe what they 'see' for themselves. They like to come to their own conclusions." LIGHT BULB! I now have a solution that had previously eluded me. Thank you!

By: dholcomb1

dholcomb1 — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 04:27:15 +0000

In reply to Jenny Hansen. Thank you!

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 06:40:23 +0000

In reply to dholcomb1. It wasn't personal! I take a passionate critique like that as a sign that someone was really moved by the work, to the point that they work hard to help you make it better. :-)

By: dholcomb1

dholcomb1 — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 04:13:42 +0000

Excellent information. Related it to insight I've had regarding some feedback an editor gave me recently. She really picked on a character and where the character was from. She also doesn't live in that area. What I realized: there really wasn't anything inherently wrong with the character, and it really wasn't the region. It was one scene. She decided something about that character, and after that, it was a character assassination. I've been hung up on that. I altered a few things, but I've kept the character true. I also made the mistake of taking it personally. I know it wasn't personal. (I hope it wasn't.) denise

By: Lori Ann Freeland

Lori Ann Freeland — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 02:55:15 +0000

In reply to Eldred Bird. Exactly. It's a process to learn what take in and use and what to let go. I feel like as we come to know ourselves better as writers, the more confident we get.

By: Lori Ann Freeland

Lori Ann Freeland — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 02:53:41 +0000

In reply to Rayn Ellis. :) :) :)

By: Lori Ann Freeland

Lori Ann Freeland — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 02:53:18 +0000

In reply to ecellenb. You have been lucky! I have too. And I appreciate every person who's helped me move farther down the path to great, strong writing :)