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[carapace_green]

There's an interesting discussion going on over at chez the_monkey_king about the best way to critique writers with relatively low skill levels.

Comments

[imnotandrei]

More recently, I employed a philosophy somewhat akin to Damon and Kate's, and reserved harsh-but-honest, detailed critique for people who (I thought) were skilled and committed enough to use it.

It's an interesting view -- and you may have seen a lot more of Damon than I ever did; I believe you've heard at least once (when it happened ) and possibly more than that the story of my 1-on-1 with Damon, and its aftermath?

I'm still glad I never sent him the book with the snarky inscription.

[erce]

ok, not trying to be a pest here, but on the last point in your post it states, "ideally, a writer ought to read ten times as many words as she reads." Now should that be write 10x more than reads or reads 10x more than writes? Or was it meant to be something philosophical to reflect on? As someone who's work you may consider to be of low skill level, this interests me... immensely.

[carapace_green]

Oooh, thanks! FIxing now!

[itsmrwilson]

Hey Lady V:

I like what you have to say. A recent thread elsewhere regarding criticism and its response had me thinking about this very thing.

I'll tell you what: people who are reasonably comfortable with their own writing are much better at offering criticism. And not just the kinds of criticism, but how they deliver it. I'll give anything I write over to that [adjective] spouse of yours to crush and mangle at his discretion because I know he'll only be looking at the text and not worrying about how he can look like he knows what he's talking about. Gah! The horror stories! Where can I find more Johnzos?

I have a lot of thoughts about what novice writers ought to do, but fuck it if it hasn't been ages since I wrote something that even smelled vaguely like creative writing, so who am I to declare anything?

Oh, and I told [spouse] you guys needed to read the Thursday Next books. Have you checked 'em out yet?

[erce]

"I have a lot of thoughts about what novice writers ought to do, but fuck it if it hasn't been ages since I wrote something that even smelled vaguely like creative writing, so who am I to declare anything?"

Yeah, I have the same issue going for me for the last 10-15 odd years now... so I'm back to calling myself a novice at this point (though I'm sure plenty of people out there would say I always was...)

"I can tell that you really love superheroes."

[sararyan]

Actually, this is not thisisnotanlj. It's her husband, Uncle Crackdown.

This approach is totally smart and sensible. I'm sure I've scared people away from the very idea of cartooning with the thoroughness of my critiques. You've articulated a fine way to water the young plants without washing away the goddamn topsoil.

SL

[writersweekend]

brilliant...

yeah, the writers are at different levels, but do not necessarily know themselves to be...and your method should work. Keep in mind, the editors will crush them like bugs, so you will be their kind friend and when you are published, they will buy your books and recommend them to friends.

PS some of the writing some of these guys read is worse than bad slush...there are a lot of publishers out there.