tips on commenting on others' writing

[Brandi_R]

I’m glad to see many of you posting your responses to the writing exercises and sharing your thoughts and ideas. I’m thrilled, too, that many of you are responding to those posts. That back and forth is vital to the learning process. As we continue forward, this will become even more important, so I want to share a few tips on how to comment on other members’ writing exercise submissions here at the book club:

The purpose of a constructive workshop—which is what we’re doing here—is to help the writer fully achieve his/her intentions on the page. We can and should hold each other to high standards and that can be done in the spirit of helping. Don’t be afraid to express your thoughts on both the strengths and the weaknesses of the fiction. The writer expects this from you. Give suggestions on how to handle weaknesses, too, by sharing thoughts on alternative approaches. Try and be as specific as possible. A comment like “this is great” doesn’t say nearly as much as one like this: “Your character’s inability to shake her bad mood after the fight with her friend, even though her son is playing an excellent soccer game really makes her feel real.”

We all have our own personalities, our own voice, thoughts, methods of expression and style. This is true in life as it is in writing and it's part of what makes a writing workshop so exciting. Make a conscious effort to receive every piece of writing on its own terms and help the writer achieve what s/he is working toward.

Practice critiquing helps you cast a stronger editor’s eye on your own work and understand fiction more fully, so although articulating thoughts on a piece of fiction can be a challenge, it’s certainly one worth tackling.

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions on this. Commenting on other writers' work is a skill in itself.

Brandi

[Bonnie824]

I was really unsure about what we were suppose to comment on- or not. I thought maybe any writing tips and suggestions were your domain- and we would just give a laymans impression.

[Brandi_R]

Hi Bonnie, I’ll certainly be chiming in on some of the responses to writing exercises, and everyone is encouraged to give their feedback, too. So don’t hesitate to share your comments. The more thoughtful input, the better the learning experience is for everyone. ~Brandi

[Capuchin]

I almost never comment on anyone's work. I know how to write a critique (I've knocked around writing groups and workshops for more than 40 years), but it's very difficult for me unless the author is asking for a response focusing on one particular aspect.

The main reason for this is that I'm an all-or-nothing kind of reader. If the story draws me in, I become blind to all sorts of technical problems and even gaping holes in the plot. The most I might be able to do is point out speed bumps (phrases or sentences that took me out of the story momentarily) or maybe say "love the writing, but hate the story." For me to analyze why I think a piece is great would be like using a calculator to try to figure out why my ladylove's giggle makes my knees weak.

If a story doesn't draw me in, then the most I can offer is basic proofreading. Since the majority of what's posted here is first drafts which will be rewritten several times, pointing out a few typos isn't going to be much help.

The obvious rejoinder to that is: comment on why it didn't draw you in. Often, that would be like trying to explain why I don't like broccoli-flavored ice cream. Other times, there's no gentle way to tell someone that I'm allergic to purple prose and their first sentence gave me a rash.

I can't really comment on poetry because I don't care for it. Unless it's on a par with Shakespeare, the substance can't overcome the form.

In prose, I can identify with a character's reactions even if they aren't how I would respond to that stimulus. Poems want to make me feel that directly, and they'll almost always fail for one simple reason -- I'm not average.

Want to give me the sensation of seeing a sunset over the ocean? You'll have to vividly describe how the sea stinks from dead fish, rotting seaweed, and whatever it is that oozes out of mollusks. It would also help if you add how, when the sun is near the horizon, the refraction and reflection of the light makes it a primary trigger for a migraine. (Moving the scene inland won't help -- as a country boy, I know that the 'fresh air' city people love is what wafts off of piles of cow manure, bubbles up from bogs, and comes out the south end of pigs facing north.)

While I enjoy the writing exercises, and hope you keep up the great variety and challenges, I'm afraid you'll find me non-responsive when it comes to commenting on other people's submissions.

[twilight_fanat…]

I definitely agree with this. It's our job not only as writer's but as critics to give proper feedback on each other's work. Brandi is right. Just saying "I loved this poem" is not as effective as saying something like "I loved how you compared 'this' to 'that', it really puts the reader in the mood of the poem".

[Brandi_R]

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Capuchin wrote:

While I enjoy the writing exercises, and hope you keep up the great variety and challenges, I'm afraid you'll find me non-responsive when it comes to commenting on other people's submissions.

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That's entirely up to you, Capuchin. Do participate in the ways you feel are most inspiring and productive. Just keep in mind that the kinds of feedback you describe--moments that took you out of the story, writing that drew you in and made you ignore imperfections--can be quite helpful, even on very early drafts. 

[Brandi_R]

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twilight_fanatic_01 wrote:
I definitely agree with this. It's our job not only as writer's but as critics to give proper feedback on each other's work. Brandi is right. Just saying "I loved this poem" is not as effective as saying something like "I loved how you compared 'this' to 'that', it really puts the reader in the mood of the poem".

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I’m glad this post resonated for you! Some writers want to comment, but have a difficult time figuring out just what to say. I hope this helps on that front. And there’s no better way to sharpen your editor’s eye, which will benefit your own writing, too. 

[BookDevourer87]

Hi Brandi,my friend went to fictionpress.com and her work was plargiarized and I was wondering if I shouldn't write any stories online because anyone could copy it. It seems to me that no website online has protection for writers. I want to share my story ideas too but is it worth the risk?

[Brandi_R]

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BookDevourer87 wrote:

Hi Brandi,my friend went to fictionpress.com and her work was plargiarized and I was wondering if I shouldn't write any stories online because anyone could copy it. It seems to me that no website online has protection for writers. I want to share my story ideas too but is it worth the risk?

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I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s experience. It’s true, there are some people out there who will do this sort of thing. However, it is rare for the simple fact that there’s not much money to be made from it.

Technically, your work is copyrighted the moment you write it. When questions about authorship come up, the tricky part is proving you wrote it. That’s why some writers register their works with the US copyright office.

Again, it’s a rare occurrence. But only you can decide if the risks are worth it for you. This has been a very supportive and kind group. I see you’re a new user. Hang around for awhile and see what the Writing Room is all about and who posts. Post questions and comment on other writers’ work. Get to know the community. Once you do, you can make a more informed decision.

[LilithLizvette]

I have commented on the work of others, whether it is art,poems,or writings, they(fellow artists, poets, and writers) come to me for comments because I am honest. Shakespeare is great. So great that his plays are like poetry to me, words spoken from the heart, a heart that went to waste . Words written with feeling,feeling life long. He is inspiration to me even though I have only read  his plays. 

[Darkkin]

These boards are a treasure trove of information, but also a place for truth.  There are very few in my acquaintance that understand the nearly physical pain of a stifled literary voice, characters who are screaming to be heard.  Most the time when I try to talk through a plotline tangle, (and believe me when I say some of them are epic), I get the 'have you grown a second head look?' because the non-writers don't understand what drives me.  They haven't been bitten by the bug, but they still have something I desperately need.  A different perspective.

As I stated before, very few have seen any of my writing, mostly due to the fact that they don't understand why I do what I do.  I read through these boards and was thrilled at what I found.  Honest, knowledgeable feedback.  Even if you're nervous about posting, go for it because every voice counts.

[Brandi_R]

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Darkkin wrote:

These boards are a treasure trove of information, but also a place for truth.  There are very few in my acquaintance that understand the nearly physical pain of a stifled literary voice, characters who are screaming to be heard.  Most the time when I try to talk through a plotline tangle, (and believe me when I say some of them are epic), I get the 'have you grown a second head look?' because the non-writers don't understand what drives me.  They haven't been bitten by the bug, but they still have something I desperately need.  A different perspective.

As I stated before, very few have seen any of my writing, mostly due to the fact that they don't understand why I do what I do.  I read through these boards and was thrilled at what I found.  Honest, knowledgeable feedback.  Even if you're nervous about posting, go for it because every voice counts.

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Every voice counts . . .I agree! I'm so glad you're here, Darkkin and that you're posting your work and keeping things lively with the darker side.

[RC15]

Thank you! This really helps, considering I am a new user.

[Brandi_R]

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RC15 wrote:

Thank you! This really helps, considering I am a new user.

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I'm glad! Welcome to the Writing Room.

[As-H_Li87]

In my opinion,

No matter how nicely to make your comments, some people just do not like be critical about his or her work. I think we need to make sure that we let them know before hand- a sort of disclaimer- that we are only trying to help them; or we are trying to gain more from his or her writing.

[Brandi_R]

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As-H_Li87 wrote:

In my opinion,

No matter how nicely to make your comments, some people just do not like be critical about his or her work. I think we need to make sure that we let them know before hand- a sort of disclaimer- that we are only trying to help them; or we are trying to gain more from his or her writing.

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Prefacing your comments with genuine support like this can be a great way to start off commentary. This forum is aimed at helping the writer more fully achieve his or her intentions on the page. Feedback should somehow embody that helping spirit. There are so many ways to accomplish that.

[As-H_Li87]

I think that that would be a great way. This way the writer is reassured and knows what to expect.

[Fleetfoot]

Respect the other posters' writing.  Please.  Most of us can deal with constructive criticism, but mocking someone, especially when they have worked so hard on a piece is rude. 

[BellasMomma]

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Brandi_R wrote:
I’m glad to see many of you posting your responses to the writing exercises and sharing your thoughts and ideas. I’m thrilled, too, that many of you are responding to those posts. That back and forth is vital to the learning process. As we continue forward, this will become even more important, so I want to share a few tips on how to comment on other members’ writing exercise submissions here at the book club:

The purpose of a constructive workshop—which is what we’re doing here—is to help the writer fully achieve his/her intentions on the page. We can and should hold each other to high standards and that can be done in the spirit of helping. Don’t be afraid to express your thoughts on both the strengths and the weaknesses of the fiction. The writer expects this from you. Give suggestions on how to handle weaknesses, too, by sharing thoughts on alternative approaches. Try and be as specific as possible. A comment like “this is great” doesn’t say nearly as much as one like this: “Your character’s inability to shake her bad mood after the fight with her friend, even though her son is playing an excellent soccer game really makes her feel real.”

We all have our own personalities, our own voice, thoughts, methods of expression and style. This is true in life as it is in writing and it's part of what makes a writing workshop so exciting. Make a conscious effort to receive every piece of writing on its own terms and help the writer achieve what s/he is working toward.

Practice critiquing helps you cast a stronger editor’s eye on your own work and understand fiction more fully, so although articulating thoughts on a piece of fiction can be a challenge, it’s certainly one worth tackling.

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions on this. Commenting on other writers' work is a skill in itself.

Brandi

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Do you have a "formal" workshop going online in this Writing Room? I'm interested in serious (but it can be fun too : )   writing workshop from knowledgeable, experienced teacher/author or both. Please fill me in!

[Brandi_R]

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BellasMomma wrote:

Do you have a "formal" workshop going online in this Writing Room? I'm interested in serious (but it can be fun too : )   writing workshop from knowledgeable, experienced teacher/author or both. Please fill me in!

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BellasMomma, our set up is more informal, with participants posting what they want when they want and members choosing which threads they'd like to respond to with feedback. I'm around, too, chiming in on posts. And I post writing exercises, as well. If you're looking for something more formal than that, a class might fit the bill. If you go that route, let me know if you'd like some advice on finding one that fits your needs (and I hope you stick around here at the Writing Room).