tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post8653769017898738508..comments2024-03-15T15:26:03.987-05:00Comments on Melissa Maygrove: Of Pens & SwordsMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-72803748615867429242012-10-23T05:46:28.335-05:002012-10-23T05:46:28.335-05:00Thanks, Peter! :)Thanks, Peter! :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-55847907535718260872012-10-23T05:46:02.598-05:002012-10-23T05:46:02.598-05:00Agreed!
Thanks for stopping by. :)Agreed! <br />Thanks for stopping by. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-19676099045450489102012-10-21T16:02:36.999-05:002012-10-21T16:02:36.999-05:00A good Crit partner can't be beat. They can ma...A good Crit partner can't be beat. They can make the difference between a good manuscript and a great one. <br /><br />But the reason I stopped by was to let you know that you were tagged in The Next Big Thing blog hop on my blog at PeterCruikshank.com. I look forward to seeing your answers to the quesitons. Enjoy!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10805755965001468939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-66387876042682686752012-10-19T16:25:25.579-05:002012-10-19T16:25:25.579-05:00All great advice. I love CPs. Especially the tough...All great advice. I love CPs. Especially the tough ones. But first & foremost, every critique should be CONstructive rather than DEstructive. It's meant to build the story stronger, not tear it down. Personally, I'd be nowhere without my CPs. Nancy Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-26035029350970348512012-10-19T11:41:30.665-05:002012-10-19T11:41:30.665-05:00"Someone may be perfect for one writer and th..."Someone may be perfect for one writer and the kiss of death for another."<br /><br />Very well said. Just because one writer isn't a match for another doesn't mean either one is necessarily 'bad.' They simply might be a poor match. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-32273274363360621492012-10-19T09:22:21.065-05:002012-10-19T09:22:21.065-05:00This was such a good post. I'm blessed with tw...This was such a good post. I'm blessed with two long-term critique partners, and I know how hard it is to find good critiquers for you. Someone may be perfect for one writer and the kiss of death for another. Thanks for delving into such an important part of every writer's life.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745686632918324803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-69167085782234844092012-10-19T08:41:31.947-05:002012-10-19T08:41:31.947-05:00Yes! Positives are important for many reasons. I p...Yes! Positives are important for many reasons. I probably don't throw in enough myself.<br /><br />If you're taking time to praise the good stuff, then no problem. My focus with the latter was on getting too detailed with things that were more voice/style related than craft related. If it's something concrete, such as passive voice or a clarity issue, then mark it; but if it's just that you would have worded the sentence differently, you probably need to hold back.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting. :)<br /><br />Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-8809910869840321812012-10-19T08:27:38.675-05:002012-10-19T08:27:38.675-05:00This is a great topic!
I especially appreciate th...This is a great topic!<br /><br />I especially appreciate that you mentioned how a critique should highlight what works as well as what doesn't. A line or a passage that resonates with me might very well not do the same for another critter, and I think it's important for the writer to know my positive reaction as she evaluates her critiques.<br /><br />I also like your reminder that I don't need to comment on everything! I usually qualify my verbosity as excessive enthusiasm for the story, because that is usually the case. :)Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10874132907100541624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-78456368294909654052012-10-19T08:20:20.753-05:002012-10-19T08:20:20.753-05:00I'm so glad I'm not alone in my wordy crit...I'm so glad I'm not alone in my wordy critiques. I do something very similar, and end up with a thousand words, easily, on a three thousand word chapter!<br />I joke when I say I try to keep my crit shorter than the story, but it's not all that far from the truth.Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10874132907100541624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-79954964286530296542012-10-19T06:50:48.641-05:002012-10-19T06:50:48.641-05:00Yes! Assigning weight is very difficult.
The two ...Yes! Assigning weight is very difficult.<br /><br />The two best things a writer can do is 1. work on getting and keeping good, compatible crit partners and 2. getting enough crits per submission so that s/he can see trends in comments.<br /><br />If, say, 3 out of 4 critters mark something, then the writer probably needs to heed their advice.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-3763322492444102172012-10-19T06:46:04.550-05:002012-10-19T06:46:04.550-05:00Excellent critique advice. I think the hardest thi...Excellent critique advice. I think the hardest thing about getting critiques is knowing when to take the advice and when to leave it. Thanks for sharing!Jessica L. Celayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725283349220405323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-76620781469478935552012-10-19T06:22:00.936-05:002012-10-19T06:22:00.936-05:00So true. Thanks, Anne.So true. Thanks, Anne.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-64206972894767021392012-10-19T06:21:35.100-05:002012-10-19T06:21:35.100-05:00That makes me happy, CB. I'm all about helping...That makes me happy, CB. I'm all about helping new writers. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-40745390959132349122012-10-19T03:40:28.801-05:002012-10-19T03:40:28.801-05:00Great pieces of advice here Melissa! It's alwa...Great pieces of advice here Melissa! It's always good to be tactful because critique is there to help, not to simply find fault. Thanks for sharing :) Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15640511681168230116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-20320102083001667072012-10-18T23:34:51.506-05:002012-10-18T23:34:51.506-05:00I'm going to send this to the students that ru...I'm going to send this to the students that run the creative writing club at my school. This is perfect for them as they are trying to build a group that encourages positive critiques that really help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-20408611948493903502012-10-18T17:21:52.590-05:002012-10-18T17:21:52.590-05:00aw, but I like the picky critiquers. They help me ...aw, but I like the picky critiquers. They help me the most :)<br />Fabulous post, Melissa! Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-64467605035721716182012-10-18T14:29:57.444-05:002012-10-18T14:29:57.444-05:00"I think it's important for an author to ..."I think it's important for an author to know what's working too."<br /><br />Oh, absolutely. I don't want praise that isn't earned, but I need a boost sometimes. And I need to know what NOT to cut or alter. Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-66932120276440158922012-10-18T14:28:06.455-05:002012-10-18T14:28:06.455-05:00Yes! I often say that very thing in the email. :)Yes! I often say that very thing in the email. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-1157005846762209892012-10-18T11:19:06.439-05:002012-10-18T11:19:06.439-05:00Awwwwwwesome post. You've nailed it, Melissa. ...Awwwwwwesome post. You've nailed it, Melissa. Great key points. I can tend to be obsessive too... but I also try to add the positive in with the "negative" because I think it's important for an author to know what's working too ;) Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15747144518868320969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-86566109690675610282012-10-18T06:43:58.675-05:002012-10-18T06:43:58.675-05:00I always do exactly what you posted--especially th...I always do exactly what you posted--especially the emoticons. :-)<br />And it is important to use the "sandwich" technique: something positive, the negative, then end with something positive. <br />And I always end with, "this is just my opinion, take what you want and dump the rest".Jennifer Shirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16970585847385511795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-4572048302545626102012-10-17T18:44:24.070-05:002012-10-17T18:44:24.070-05:00Yup. Humility is key. :)Yup. Humility is key. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-91013785402435846132012-10-17T18:43:43.952-05:002012-10-17T18:43:43.952-05:00Good for you! Carrie is my Rusty - a chuckle, snic...Good for you! Carrie is my Rusty - a chuckle, snicker and full out howl nearly every other comment. :PMelissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-72835994024525414372012-10-17T18:42:21.356-05:002012-10-17T18:42:21.356-05:00True. :)True. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-77189097970395755392012-10-17T18:40:47.628-05:002012-10-17T18:40:47.628-05:00Lots of good points there. I agree with the 's...Lots of good points there. I agree with the 'succinct' comment. Many times I've tacked on a simple explanation for my mark, only to re-read it and think 'ouch' that sounds snotty. LOL I never meant it that way, but that's how it reads. <br /><br />Of course, we need to give our critters the benefit of the doubt, too. Especially if we know them well enough to know their hearts.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589035973172290745.post-45913913495189427142012-10-17T16:16:00.626-05:002012-10-17T16:16:00.626-05:00This is all great advice. Good communication betwe...This is all great advice. Good communication between author and cps is so important. I use phrases like "you may want to think about...", "this is just a suggestion..." and I always remind them that I'm not a professional and that they don't have to agree with my suggestions, I'm simply offering my opinion. I also highlight the stuff that I do like, that is so appreciated by writers, knowing what's good so we don't go in and mess it up. :D Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.com