Writing Meme--Another Answer

[amberfocus]

corusca asked me to answer number 6, my thoughts on critique.

See "A Dangerous Creature? Not So Much" http://amberfocus.livejournal.com/590135.html for my thoughts on that score.

I think people online often use the guise of critique to tear down people they don't like or authors they think are getting too much attention and haven't paid their so-called dues. It seldom has anything to do with the work itself. I have seen it happen too often. I have seen it from people who are in positions of...if not authority in fandom, they at least have a modicum of power in it. Some of these have been quite vicious and nasty, to the point of driving people out of fandom. Often the critique ends up showing more about the critic and his or her personality, than the story that was written.

True constructive critique is rare. And it is usually done in private. It is polite and well-reasoned and can give insight into how things are being perceived by readers that an author might not have realized. It is helpful and not hurtful. It can point out a canon mistake or fandom faux pas, like writing something like "Doctor Who did this" instead of "the Doctor did this." It is well-meaning and meant to genuinely help a writer improve. That is always welcome.

Comments

[jer832.livejournal.com]

A concise and perceptive statement of the nature and purpose of true critique. It's sad that people have to be reminded, and a crime that some misuse their freedom to trash others.

I came to lj in 2010, but I know some of the story and I've witnessed some of the aftermath. I'd just gotten to know a few of the best DW fanfic writers even as they left, fed up; or continued posting for the love of writing - but always gun-shy.

I've gotten some strange comments and one or two bordering on nasty. But I've had many wonderful, insightful and encouraging critiques. Some people, like sci, Em, and beachy, spurred me to write a better story, their comments and questions the paradigm of what I was taught critiquing should be. I've also learned that betas, like bloose, can make a pretty good story even better and deserve a lot of credit and thanks.

As you know, dev runs a comm that is welcoming and encouraging - kind of a home for neurotic and shy writers who crave interaction. I'm pretty sure that BWR has helped heal some of the damage you referred to.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Gun-shy is a very good term for it. Or skittish. I still have a bit of skittishness myself over some things. I mean, I don't really care what certain people think at all, but I don't want to be told if they are talking about me, either. I'd just rather not know at this point.