tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926918147629869886.post7692843277528337902..comments2023-05-07T02:17:29.231-07:00Comments on The Melt-Ink Pot: Critiquing vs. JudgingSamanthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06872135325885272027noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926918147629869886.post-63217376271099633002009-10-01T09:15:55.030-07:002009-10-01T09:15:55.030-07:00Yes -- I'd rather know what's wrong with m...Yes -- I'd rather know what's wrong with my story, even if it takes my brain two months to figure out how to fix it.Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14308431455364995660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926918147629869886.post-23511326108325763232009-10-01T04:57:31.700-07:002009-10-01T04:57:31.700-07:00This is why having a kick-ass critique group is so...This is why having a kick-ass critique group is so important. No one wants to hear what's not working in their stories, but it's crucial to improvement.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11444033260290261588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926918147629869886.post-71286504002833266382009-09-30T14:47:01.064-07:002009-09-30T14:47:01.064-07:00Agreed, writers need to have thick skins. Funny ho...Agreed, writers need to have thick skins. Funny how so many of us don't.Katie Caughillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14864330423231561426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926918147629869886.post-20916231413158493032009-09-30T13:46:24.236-07:002009-09-30T13:46:24.236-07:00I've had to do similar things in the SCA, wher...I've had to do similar things in the SCA, where I'm sometimes called upon to judge arts and sciences competitions. The idea is for someone to create something -- an object, a dish of food, a song, an dance -- that's done in the medieval style, and they're then judged on the authenticity as well as the craftsmanship, creativity, etc.<br /><br />It's heartbreaking sometimes, because you can look at a piece and realize that someone has put their whole heart and soul into it, and it still just ... doesn't quite work.<br /><br />That's when I try to be really encouraging in my comments. I find as many good things to praise as I can, and some tips to help improve their work, and sometimes I come out and tell them why the marks are low. ("This dress is very pretty, but I've never seen documentation that they wore miniskirts made of 'Hello Kitty' fabric in Italy in 1521. Here's a website you can visit that shows ladies' costuming in Venice in 1520-1530, and here's another reference showing fabric types that would be appropriate for this era and region...")<br /><br />Because even if it's judging and not a critique, they should be able to take something away that will help them do it better next time.<br /><br />And she may curse you at first. It's human nature. "I showed you my baby, my pride and joy, and you said it was UGLY! You're obviously a stuck-up bitch who doesn't know anything!"<br /><br />BUT ... if she's a rational human being, and if she's serious about writing, she'll calm down eventually. It might take a few weeks ... or months ... or even years, but she'll go back and re-read what you said and maybe see that your comments aren't completely off-base. She might even take your words to heart and use your advice to improve her piece. (Hey, that didn't sound like the voice of experience, did it?!?)<br /><br />And yes, if you're going to become a writer, it's never too early to start developing a thick skin!Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14308431455364995660noreply@blogger.com