Comments on: Better Writing with Critiques and Feedback http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:02:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: How to Get Critiques on Your Writing (Bloggers’ Edition) : Writing Forward http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-40831 How to Get Critiques on Your Writing (Bloggers’ Edition) : Writing Forward Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:40:14 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-40831 [...] you want to get feedback on your writing so you can grow and improve and produce better writing, then try these methods and see which one works best for you. Or, if you have any ideas to add, go [...] [...] you want to get feedback on your writing so you can grow and improve and produce better writing, then try these methods and see which one works best for you. Or, if you have any ideas to add, go [...]

]]> By: t. sterling http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-39435 t. sterling Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:40:00 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-39435 I think I may try that. I think also what I was trying to practice working on a deadline, especially with my Friday posts. I wanted to be consistent with content and sometimes if I'm rushing it, it won't come out as good as something I took my time with and enjoyed writing about... like my LOST reflections (wink wink). I actually do have a deadline with my job's newsletter, but they are usually only looking for a movie review. But I would rather take my time, proofread and edit as needed versus write it in the nick of time. However, I have 24 hours to write about my experience in Niagara Falls, but the version I send to them will be abridged compared to what will eventually make it on my blog. I think I may try that. I think also what I was trying to practice working on a deadline, especially with my Friday posts. I wanted to be consistent with content and sometimes if I’m rushing it, it won’t come out as good as something I took my time with and enjoyed writing about… like my LOST reflections (wink wink). I actually do have a deadline with my job’s newsletter, but they are usually only looking for a movie review. But I would rather take my time, proofread and edit as needed versus write it in the nick of time. However, I have 24 hours to write about my experience in Niagara Falls, but the version I send to them will be abridged compared to what will eventually make it on my blog.

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-39391 Melissa Donovan Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:09:17 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-39391 That's the truth! If you hold onto a piece long enough, you'll always find more revisions. And more, and more, and more. At some point, you just have to let it go. That’s the truth! If you hold onto a piece long enough, you’ll always find more revisions. And more, and more, and more. At some point, you just have to let it go.

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-39383 Melissa Donovan Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:01:35 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-39383 Sometimes when you commit yourself to a hobby, it starts to feel like work. For example, if you love writing and launch a blog, eventually the commitment makes it feel like a job. I know I've experienced it a few times. The trick, I think, is to work through the periods of time when it feels like work. Usually, it's just a bump in the road and when you push yourself over it, the thing becomes fun again. Sometimes scaling back on the commitment can help. If you were blogging three times a week, bring it down to once a week for awhile and see if you don't get your drive back. Experiment and see what works. Sometimes when you commit yourself to a hobby, it starts to feel like work. For example, if you love writing and launch a blog, eventually the commitment makes it feel like a job. I know I’ve experienced it a few times. The trick, I think, is to work through the periods of time when it feels like work. Usually, it’s just a bump in the road and when you push yourself over it, the thing becomes fun again. Sometimes scaling back on the commitment can help. If you were blogging three times a week, bring it down to once a week for awhile and see if you don’t get your drive back. Experiment and see what works.

]]> By: CommDiscussion http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-39350 CommDiscussion Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:12 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-39350 For me, writing is an extremely painful process. It takes a long time and I have to go through many revisions and approvals. I think you've listed some great points, but I would also caution that writing is never done, it's simply abandoned at some point. In other words, you can always keep making improvements, but at some point and time you have to meet your deadline. For me, writing is an extremely painful process. It takes a long time and I have to go through many revisions and approvals. I think you’ve listed some great points, but I would also caution that writing is never done, it’s simply abandoned at some point. In other words, you can always keep making improvements, but at some point and time you have to meet your deadline.

]]> By: t. sterling http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-39101 t. sterling Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:25:14 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-39101 I have my mom proofread a lot of what I write. I asked her a couple times to critique things, but like you said, moms will always say what you did was awesome and will always be your #1 fan. However, I find myself like Friar was describing in his comments, being drained by the time I get out of work and not really wanting to work on anything creative. I don't even get to read the blogs I enjoy so much anymore, but when I can the chance, I do. Sometimes writing in my own blog feels like a burden, which it shouldn't because I enjoy doing it, but I don't like having a bunch of days pass without posting anything new. Even if it's just a movie review. Even with all that busy-ness, I see what you mean about reading all the time. I managed to at least start a few books here and there and it only feeds the writer in me. I admit, I thought I could cheat and get away with watching movies or well scripted entertainment, but there's nothing quite like a book. My only problem now is FINISHING a book. I'm about 20-50 pages in about 6 books. Lastly, I have a few friends that have asked me to critique their writing, and I told them I'd be glad to. I feel bad because I have yet to read a single word. But they also know I can get pretty busy. I have my mom proofread a lot of what I write. I asked her a couple times to critique things, but like you said, moms will always say what you did was awesome and will always be your #1 fan.

However, I find myself like Friar was describing in his comments, being drained by the time I get out of work and not really wanting to work on anything creative. I don’t even get to read the blogs I enjoy so much anymore, but when I can the chance, I do. Sometimes writing in my own blog feels like a burden, which it shouldn’t because I enjoy doing it, but I don’t like having a bunch of days pass without posting anything new. Even if it’s just a movie review.

Even with all that busy-ness, I see what you mean about reading all the time. I managed to at least start a few books here and there and it only feeds the writer in me. I admit, I thought I could cheat and get away with watching movies or well scripted entertainment, but there’s nothing quite like a book. My only problem now is FINISHING a book. I’m about 20-50 pages in about 6 books.

Lastly, I have a few friends that have asked me to critique their writing, and I told them I’d be glad to. I feel bad because I have yet to read a single word. But they also know I can get pretty busy.

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-39055 Melissa Donovan Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:14:54 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-39055 It's really not that hard to accept a critique as long as you don't get all hung up on your own ego. A writer should always remember: you don't have to take the critic's advice. It's all optional and much of a critique may be opinion and personal preference. I never felt insecure about my writing so critiques never bothered me; I guess I'm lucky in that sense. Every writer could use an editor ;) I know I wouldn't mind. It’s really not that hard to accept a critique as long as you don’t get all hung up on your own ego. A writer should always remember: you don’t have to take the critic’s advice. It’s all optional and much of a critique may be opinion and personal preference. I never felt insecure about my writing so critiques never bothered me; I guess I’m lucky in that sense. Every writer could use an editor ;) I know I wouldn’t mind.

]]> By: Idrees Patel http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-39037 Idrees Patel Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:08:19 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-39037 Wow... what a great post! Critiques are definitely necessary in writing, and of course, not just any feedback but real honest critiques which aren't afraid to tell you what's wrong with your work. I personally would never ask feedback from a friend who is not a writer, for the reasons you mentioned. Whenever I get an honest critique that tells me I have work to do, I try to co-operate and thank them for the feedback, and improve my writing on its basis. And thing is... I do see positive results. So critiques are definitely valuable for any writer, however expert he/she may be. If experts don't need critiques (as some people say), then how come a writer like J.K. Rowling has an editor? Thanks for the great information, Melissa. Very useful and helpful for any writer, this. Wow… what a great post! Critiques are definitely necessary in writing, and of course, not just any feedback but real honest critiques which aren’t afraid to tell you what’s wrong with your work. I personally would never ask feedback from a friend who is not a writer, for the reasons you mentioned.

Whenever I get an honest critique that tells me I have work to do, I try to co-operate and thank them for the feedback, and improve my writing on its basis. And thing is… I do see positive results. So critiques are definitely valuable for any writer, however expert he/she may be. If experts don’t need critiques (as some people say), then how come a writer like J.K. Rowling has an editor?

Thanks for the great information, Melissa. Very useful and helpful for any writer, this.

]]> By: Michele http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-3217 Michele Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:27:20 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-3217 You're most welcome, Melissa! I'm so honored that you liked it! Ah, I feel much better now! Glad you had a good birthday. ;-) *smiles* Michele Micheles last blog post..<a href="http://writingthecyberhighway.com/?p=227" rel="nofollow">Freelance Writing: Sharing Our Hearts</a> You’re most welcome, Melissa! I’m so honored that you liked it! Ah, I feel much better now! Glad you had a good birthday. ;-)

*smiles*
Michele

Micheles last blog post..Freelance Writing: Sharing Our Hearts

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-3216 Melissa Donovan Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:24:39 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-3216 @Eliza, Book number six? Wow, that's quite an accomplishment! I will refrain from turning green with envy ;) Yes, it's not hard to get through a book in a day or two (for voracious readers) but putting together the critique can take awhile. Especially if the reader gets sidetracked reading yet another book, then another... @Michele, Thanks for the linky love! I like it a lot! Don't hang your head for belated birthday wishes silly girl. Better late than never, right? @Greer, Thank you so much ;) @Wendi, And thank you too! I'm still working on my own cake, which is a delicious lemon cake. So good. ::: smacks lips ::: @Eliza, Book number six? Wow, that’s quite an accomplishment! I will refrain from turning green with envy ;)

Yes, it’s not hard to get through a book in a day or two (for voracious readers) but putting together the critique can take awhile. Especially if the reader gets sidetracked reading yet another book, then another…

@Michele, Thanks for the linky love! I like it a lot! Don’t hang your head for belated birthday wishes silly girl. Better late than never, right?

@Greer, Thank you so much ;)

@Wendi, And thank you too! I’m still working on my own cake, which is a delicious lemon cake. So good. ::: smacks lips :::

]]> By: Wendi Kelly http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-3215 Wendi Kelly Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:11:34 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-3215 Happy birthday. Eating cake for you! Wendi Kellys last blog post..<a href="http://wendikelly.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/a-spring-rain/" rel="nofollow">A Spring Rain</a> Happy birthday. Eating cake for you!

Wendi Kellys last blog post..A Spring Rain

]]> By: Greer http://www.writingforward.com/better-writing/better-writing-critiques-and-feedback/comment-page-1#comment-3214 Greer Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:01:13 +0000 http://www.writingforward.com/?p=196#comment-3214 Just wanted to add my good wishes, Happy Happy Birthday! Greers last blog post..<a href="http://asweetunrest.typepad.com/weblog/2008/06/hello-wordswort.html" rel="nofollow">Hello, Wordsworth</a> Just wanted to add my good wishes, Happy Happy Birthday!

Greers last blog post..Hello, Wordsworth

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