'Tis Better to Say Nothing?

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     I should have started out your review saying that it was going to be my harshest yet. :P

I don't want to go back and look for nitpicky things on  yours.  It left me satisfied and I don't want to start digging up petty little things that take away from that.  Sorry!   

Oh, and I didn't think you were telling me they were too harsh, I just hoped they weren't.  I'm still going to do my thing :) but I'm going to be more vigilant at the same time. 

Edited by Trillian4210 - 01 Feb 2009 at 7:37am

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Trillian4210 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 2481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trillian4210 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 7:25am
	I should have started out your review saying that it was going to be my harshest yet. :P I don't want to go back and look for nitpicky things on yours. It left me satisfied and I don't want to start digging up petty little things that take away from that. Sorry! Oh, and I didn't think you were telling me they were too harsh, I just hoped they weren't. I'm still going to do my thing :) but I'm going to be more vigilant at the same time. Edited by Trillian4210 - 01 Feb 2009 at 7:37am

londongirl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2699	Post Options Post Reply Quote londongirl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 8:04am
	Well, Trillian, I'm flattered. That's a great compliment. By all means leave it as perfect in your imagination! I don't know what other people do, but when someone gives me a review I usually have a look at other reviews they have posted and/or their own story, to get an idea of how to judge their critique of me. It doesn't take long to work out whose opinions you respect most. And it's different for everyone.

Trillian4210 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 2481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trillian4210 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 8:25am
	Absolutely. And while I really appreciate "negative" critique as far as showing me areas of improvement, I get annoyed at lazy critique. The ones that say things like, "I didn't get why Ted wore the red hat," when two paragraphs in, I have "Ted wore the red hat because..." If something is vague and it's my fault, fine. But if something is spelled out or easily discernible by elements in the story, I don't pay attention to critiques like that. Okay, off to read another. (I'm trying to start on the last page and work forward so the early posters get some attention.) And geez, I am regretting not entering. I've missed an opportunity to have my stuff analyzed by some thoughtful people. :(

londongirl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2699	Post Options Post Reply Quote londongirl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 8:31am
	I'm starting at the back too. Aren't we altruistic? Although I also thought I might add a comment to mine to push it back up to the top and get some more attention ...

Trillian4210 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 2481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trillian4210 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 8:54am
	If you want, I'll go back and say that I forgot to mention how much I loved the title. heheh.

londongirl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2699	Post Options Post Reply Quote londongirl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 10:02am
	You've got me there - the title is terrible!

Trillian4210 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Status: Offline Points: 2481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trillian4210 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Feb 2009 at 11:48am
	Oh. I'm terrible at titles. Always SO heavy-handed. And synopsisesess...terrible.

Mari Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1024	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mari Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Feb 2009 at 11:21am
	I read through these posts, and agree with everything stated. I am trying to comment on each story - but time is keeping me from it. The only thing I wonder about would be the fact that most of these writer's far outweigh me in ability. So, for now, until I get a little more knowlegeable, I have been putting my gut reactions down, without the ability to really criticize the writing. If I love it I tell them so. I hope that is an okay thing to do, rather than not saying anything. But I have wondered. I suppose I wonder because it really isn't that helpful for the writer, and maybe inappropriate in a forum for critiqueing. Any thoughts?

Mari Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1024	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mari Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Feb 2009 at 11:28am
	Oh, and also from the viewpoint of one who is learning a lot from critiques - give it to me! I have appreciated every critique I've received - and that is the value of this whole enterprise. : )

londongirl Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2699	Post Options Post Reply Quote londongirl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Feb 2009 at 1:46pm
	Mari - I think any writer, no matter what their level of experience, can bring something of value to a critique. And don't forget that we are also critiquing from the standpoint of a reader, which is truly invaluable. After all, we don't just want writers reading our work, we want everyone to share it (or at least I do!). Most writers soon acquire a bunch of 'readers': friends, family etc, who aren't writers themselves, but can tell you what it is like to experience your story from the other side of the page, as it were. All feedback is valuable, and as you pointed out, one of the great things about this competition.