Fic Talk > General Discussion

Concrit

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Rose:
I feel this subject is pretty relevant because of the reading challenge. :)

I was looking at an old fantasy story I started three years ago because of the sci-fi/fantasy discussion. I stopped after awhile cause I felt I needed to change some things and basically do a rewrite. But I got lazy and just wrote other ideas instead.

Anywho, I was looking at it tonight, and I was a little appalled at my tense issues. I switched a lot between past and present, and really I forgot how that used to be a major issue in my writing. A look at my reviews and it was Julie who reviewed and pointed it out to me, reminded me of how that really got me to look close at my writing and make a point to fix that. Because it was Julie, we were friends and collaborating at that point, and I knew she was trying to help.

In three years I feel like a completely different writer than I was then.

How do you guys feel about concrit, has there been a case where you got some and it helped you turn your writing around?

Do you get offended when you see concrit? I know some people get defensive about it at times. Why?

RokofAges75:
Aww, I'm glad to hear this!  I forgot I had pointed that out to you.  I'm kind of surprised I was that ballsy, because even though we all know I'm a Grammar Nazi, I usually try to avoid being a Grammar Nazi in reviews, unless the author asks for that kind of a critique.  I never want to inadvertently hurt someone's feelings, especially a friend's.  But I guess I knew you could take it without getting offended, and obviously, I thought the story was good enough that fixing that one thing would take it from good to great.  And as someone who has been reading and sometimes proofreading your writing for the last five or so years, I can honestly say I see a huge difference too!  You don't switch tenses like that at all anymore!  Most people I've pointed out grammar issues to don't fix them or can't fix them because they just really don't get it, so thank the Grammar God for writers like you!  There's still hope for the rest! LOL

In all seriousness, I think constructive criticism can be, as it should be, very helpful.  I also know that it can be tough to hear, especially when you're a newer writer or haven't gotten much before.  Once you figure out how to accept it and learn from it without getting offended, you'll be able to use it to become an even better writer.  It just takes time and experience for some people to get to that point.

I think the key is asking yourself, what is this person trying to tell me, why are they bothering to tell me, and are they right?  Usually people only take the time to give constructive criticism when they think the story has potential, unless they're reading it because they were required to (judging, reading challenge, author request, etc.).  If the writing's hopeless, why even bother leaving a review?  I only give constructive criticism when I can sandwich it between genuine compliments about the story.  If I can't say something nice, I just don't say anything (the Thumper rule).  As far as whether or not the reviewer is right, some concrit could be subjective, if it's based on their opinion on something that happened in the story, but if it's about grammar, plot inconsistencie s, or misinformation, chances are, they're right, and you should listen to them and fix what you can or at least try to learn from the mistake (like, when in doubt, look it up!).

mare:
I think concrit could be a really great thing in general. Writing is such a learning process and I think helping each other out is an important part of that process.

I tend to only give concrit if someone asks for it. Like you both were saying, if there are so many mistakes grammatically I used to just click out of the story, but now as a mod I don't do that. I point out problems and have even gone so far as to take the time to post their chapter in my reply to them and show them how to fix their mistakes. Nine out of ten times they never fiix what I point out, which means they don't really care in the first place.

The tricky concrit is when you know it's subjective. You are not always going to like the same thing I do. That's why I have a huge problem with judged fanfic awards etc... Sometimes people mistake opinion for concrit. If I say I didn't like it, it was boring. Then as a writer you have a choice, you can either take that and say "Wow, I must be really boring." Or "Well, thats because she doesn't enjoy historical romance etc..." But if all you get are people telling you, "This is slow moving and boring," That's when you should consider that maybe it is?

I have learned to separate my opinion on the story for the actual quality of the fic. I might no enjoy it, but if the writing quality is there, I learn to keep some things to myself and use that thumper rule lol Unless that something is a technical thing or  if they asked for it like the reading challenge.

I really don't get all that much concrit, actually. Sometimes I wish I did, especially at the beginning because like you Rose, I had the same problem at first with switching tenses and POV (I had a habit of switching from first to third a lot! lol) I am the one who would catch it though. I'm not sure if people were afriad to say something or they didn't pick it up either.

It is hard to hear something negative about your work, especially when you are really proud of it, but like everything you have to take it like a grain of salt. That's why I always say, just consider the source of the concrit. If it's coming from someone that you trust as a writer and you know they know what they're talking about, then take it to heart and try to learn for it. If it's someone who makes a ton of errors themselves and it's an issue other than grammar, like "Yous suk becuz they didn't get marryed." well then, there ya go! lol

Carter-Orange:
I think if someone were to offer me some concrit, I'd be fine with it because it would help me to put right where I've gone wrong and help me to become a better writer.  I don't think I'd take it the wrong way, especially if it was coming from writers I respect.  I wouldn't be OK with someone saying something like "Your story is crap" because that's not concrit but a matter of personal taste.  But I wouldn't let it get to me too much :) 

I'm not usually one to give concrit, but I did in the reading challenge.

Purpura Lipstick:
I have a strange relationship with concrit.  I want to know what I can do to improve but I don't like being called out on my mistakes. 

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