I am just going to come out and say it. I am a hypocrite!
I have told many writers to keep at their craft and to believe in their novels and their ideas but when I got some serious criticism myself I wasn't feeling so positive anymore. I am pretty upset but I am not thinking of quiting writing or anything. I am just pondering whether or not I should make the suggested changes to my novel.
Yet it is a whole different story when someone criticizes your book like that. I would like to apologize to all my fellow writers that I had given comments to. I now understand what you went through and I apologize for any obnoxious comments I might have made.
I am still in a state of shock though. Here I was worrying about spelling mistakes and overuse of commas and then Bam! Someone drops a bomb on you and suggests rewriting.
I was so upset that I finally ate that damn cupcake I have been craving for ages and it was fantastic! So I had another one. OOPS!
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I'm sorry to hear that. Tough criticism is hard to take, but when your audience is the one giving the criticism, it's important to consider. What have other critique partners suggested?
ReplyDeleteI'm at a point now where I have to rewrite an ENTIRE (short) story based on my CPs' suggestions and my own criticism of the story flow. It doesn't make me want to stop writing, but it certainly has turned me off to the one I'm writing now!
I am reading through my story again, beginning till end to see why she said the quality diminishes.
ReplyDeleteBut basically the part that she thinks sucks is the part where the story actually gets romantic, seeing that it is a paranormal romance and all that. Now she wants to know if the love scenes really need to be in there.
I don't know. I am just conflicted. I want the story to develop the way it did. Maybe I just lack the proper execution for the idea.
I am sorry to hear that you have to rewrite your story. I have rewritten mine at least two different times and yes, it is very discouraging.
Do you think that your critique partner makes a valid point? Because they can give you their opinion, but it doesn't mean that they always give the best ideas.
I found that my first draft was the best idea I had. Then, like the dumb ass I am, I changed everything about it. Now I have spent months reshaping the book back to it's original state.
To me rewriting is how you sign your novels death warrant (Unless it comes from your agent or the publishing company).
But good-luck with the rewriting of your story Renee. Thanks for the advice.
My story is MY story. I'm a pantser by nature, and my stories unfold organically with the characters driving the plot, not vice versa. If my CP catches a hole in my story, or something that doesn't fit or seems off, I go back and check with my characters' motivations. However, if I disagree with my CPs (which rarely happens), I'm not going to change something I'm happy with.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, this is "Leah on Veggies," just changed my blog for writing since the other one was turning into more of a food thing anyway :)
ReplyDeleteHa! Ha! Thanks for the great advice and for following my blog again.
ReplyDeleteThere is no need for apologies. We are all going through it. Ups and downs! Your advice and comments to me were sound. Keep writing. Keep going. Don't stop because of one opinion. Not everyone is going to like every story. Go with what feels right, what feels good.
ReplyDeleteI made some changes to my first book, based on lots of people's suggestions, but I didn't change everything.
Perhaps your friend would have written it differently, perhaps they are embarrassed. It's still just one opinion.
I hated that someone ripped up my work, I went through a ton of self-inflicted crap. But I came out on the other side better for it with more resolve.
K. Rant done. Have a good one.