Some of my favourite bloggers have talked about it here and here.
A couple of quote-worthy snippets:
It rarely takes more than a page to recognize that you're in the presence of someone who can write, but it only takes a sentence to know you're dealing with someone who can't.
(By the way, here's a simple way to find out if you're a writer. If you disagree with that statement, you're not a writer. Because, you see, writers are also readers.)
And:
I was dying to find something positive to say, and there was nothing. And the truth is, saying something positive about this thing would be the nastiest, meanest and most dishonest thing I could do. Because here's the thing: not only is it cruel to encourage the hopeless, but you cannot discourage a writer. If someone can talk you out of being a writer, you're not a writer. If I can talk you out of being a writer, I've done you a favor, because now you'll be free to pursue your real talent, whatever that may be. And, for the record, everybody has one. The lucky ones figure out what that is.
Sadly, the people who need to read this article never will. They're too busy hunched over their computer typing madly away, convinced beyond rational thought that the words on the screen are absolute gold. As soon as another writer, agent, publisher, celebrity, anyone reads them, the heavens will open, angels will serenade the world, and utopia will once again be real. Praise will be heaped upon them, as well as millions of dollars, and this dream will be fulfilled. Tomorrow, they'll rewrite the Bible.
Anyone who's frequented any kind of critique group has run into this type. Inevitably, when they're told their writing is, uh, garbage, they get defensive or they insist you can't tell just from reading that tiny bit. Really, you need to read a whole chapter. Or better yet, the whole book.
No, I really don't. Like Mr. Olson says, I can tell within a sentence or two whether something is worth reading. Maybe that's from my background as an editor, but more likely it's because I'm an avid reader. I don't care if your story is the greatest idea since The Lord of the Rings, bad writing shows up immediately and a great idea is worth nothing if you can't get it down on paper with style and flow and finesse.
If you're a writer looking for critiques, remember what I said before about doing your homework. And don't forget the dos and don'ts.
I should add another: Don't bite the hand that critiques you.
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TOPAZ status: Working on Chapter 33. Two or three more chapters to go, I think. Hubby's volunteered to be on kid duty today so I can get closer to the end...
9 comments:
Haha. I like when you get sassy. This is good stuff. All of it true.
Sassy, thy name is Jenn. :)
I agree that you can always tell a good writer within a page. The talent for writing is in some people and is not in some people. And that's life.
I don't, however, agree that's it's fair to tell someone they can't write. Even if they can't. It makes sense to tell them what's wrong with their writing, to point out the problems and let them see where they're going wrong. But it goes against my nature to tell someone they can't do something.
There was one girl in my class back at university who was a terrible creative writer. Everyone knew it but we kept on telling her what we liked and disliked and she kept writing, slowly improving. Near the end of the course she stood up and told us that she'd realised now that her writing was terrible and what we'd all be saying to her. She knew she had to throw it all away and start again, with a fresh approach.
This was girl who had no core talent but was able to learn, through trial and error, what good writing was. If we'd told her at the beginnnig that she was awful, she would never have come to that natural understanding and evolution of thought where she could improve. To discourage her would have done her a great disservice and I'm glad none of us did that to her.
Jai
Personally, I tend to go with the "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything" approach, particularly on the critique forum. But if I'm cornered, like Mr. Olson was, and asked to review something that's awful, I will give my honest opinion. I won't attack the person. That's not in my nature. But I will try to point out what's wrong, and why.
I agree that writing can be learned -- if the person in question is open to learning. In the case you cited, Jai, your classmate took the advice to heart and kept improving. She didn't, as in the article, bad-mouth her critiquers and dismiss their suggestions outright.
Agreed.
At the same time we have to make sure that when we critique we say it right. There are some critics who say the most cruel harsh things that - though they may be 100% percent correct - are unproductive because it puts the writer on the defensive. That helps no one.
When critiquing someone we have to remember to communicate in a way that is clear and productive and also friendly.
Jai
Absolutely, Jai. That's one of the reasons I keep my silence a lot of the time. Not that I would attack anyone or say something mean, but I always want to buffer any criticism with something positive. And, unfortunately, I can't always find something positive to say.
I think the underlying message of the article was correct; the method in which he expressed himself...well, I guess as a published and successful screenwriter, you can say what you like, how you like.
Crap. I'm going to have to stop using gold-colored fonts.
Jenn,
Although I do agree with the core message here, that people are either born with the gift for writing or no, there are some writers who do shock and surprise. Through sheer grit and determination they improve their craft, but it is rare indeed to see this, and I believe they must have some amount of core ability or no amount of practice would be worthwhile.
I too would never have the heart to tell someone outright that they couldn't write. I hate the words no and can't. If someone has the heart to try and wants an honest critique I'd give them one, first pointing out what I liked and what could be improved.
Usually they will figure it out, eventually. But unfortunately some never do. And sadly they miss their true calling whatever that might be.
LOL! That's too funny!
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