Critics and writers

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Critics and writers
Topic Started: Mar 7 2009, 06:19 PM (139 Views)
Allyson	Mar 7 2009, 06:19 PM Post #1
Observer of all Posts: 2,337 Group: Root Administrator Member #1 Joined: Jan 29, 2008	Alright, I think there are many questions to be asked and answers to be told in this topic, so here are a few... :horseboy: First, I'm curious how many of you are critics, how many are writers, and how many are both. I am a writer (obviously) and somewhat of a critic, though I still have a lot to learn about critiquing. :) Second, how would you define a critic? Is it someone who is always looking for a story or poem to critique, or is it someone who likes critiquing just a little bit, and would rather do something else? There is at least a little bit of a critic in every writer, but does that mean that they are a critic? Third, does the critic in you (no matter how large or small) ever threaten to take over your work, or to stop you from 'just writing'? If not, why? If so, how do you get rid of it? Ok, I know this is a pretty long topic, and I'm hoping I haven't scared anyone away by possibly taking up too much of their time! If you want, just answer one this time, and then maybe another one tomorrow or the day after. :) Bonus points to the person who can tell me how many times I said the word 'critic'! Nah, just kidding. :P
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RedHead97	Mar 8 2009, 01:57 PM Post #2
Writes 50 Words Per Chapter Posts: 276 Group: Writers Member #81 Joined: Feb 21, 2009	1. I'm both. I love to give critiques and writing, and giving critiques helps me shape my writing for the better. It helps you develop an eagle eye for plot holes, bad grammar, and more. 2. I think a critic is someone who can look at something skeptically, no matter how perfect it seems, and brainstorm ways to make it better. That's how a good critique should run. 3. Sometimes, when I've written a few paragraphs, I'm tempted to go back. And yes, sometimes I just don't want to write. I read my work and think that it's horrible (and most of the time, it is), and then I feel like no matter how many stories and novels I write, I'll never get better. I usually counter this by writing a really great scene, which makes me feel a lot better.



Tempest	Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM Post #3
Gasp! Posts: 63 Group: Writers Member #19 Joined: Apr 23, 2008	1. Both, as well, though I think that my critiquing is better than my writing. Alas. 2. I would define a critic as someone that can effectively pick apart a piece, and does so fairly often. I say this because while some people comment on things, review them, really, it isn't a critique. And then there are the people that only leave on critique, ever. Maybe they're just lazy, but they aren't critics. 3. My inner-editor (or inner-critic) likes to tell me when I'm being stupid about writing. One day she decided her name was Lisa. Anyway, she likes to tell me when a character is passive or when a plotline is running thin. Sometimes I hate her. A lot of the time she keeps my writing on track, even through the first draft. She reminds me not to use passive verbs and how to format my dialog. (I love Lisa. <3) Sometimes she does threaten to take over my work and rip it to pieces and tell me to start over because what I have is worthless. When that happens the other half of my writing brain (his name is Jacob) says to keep going. Ignore Lisa, pay attention to her later, because this is the first draft, after all, and worry about all that later. You said critic: 7, counting the title.



Allyson	Mar 10 2009, 09:22 PM Post #4
Observer of all Posts: 2,337 Group: Root Administrator Member #1 Joined: Jan 29, 2008	I like both of your answers for number too...that's so true. Quote: 3. My inner-editor (or inner-critic) likes to tell me when I'm being stupid about writing. One day she decided her name was Lisa. Anyway, she likes to tell me when a character is passive or when a plotline is running thin. Sometimes I hate her. A lot of the time she keeps my writing on track, even through the first draft. She reminds me not to use passive verbs and how to format my dialog. (I love Lisa. <3) Sometimes she does threaten to take over my work and rip it to pieces and tell me to start over because what I have is worthless. When that happens the other half of my writing brain (his name is Jacob) says to keep going. Ignore Lisa, pay attention to her later, because this is the first draft, after all, and worry about all that later. That's awesome. :P ...And creative. 3. The critic inside me is always bugging me about writing something that's not very realistic, or things that are stupid. I can usually just push it out of my mind, thinking that I'll just re-write it when I edit the whole story, but when ever it's time to edit the story, my mind just sort of shuts down. It's like I put it off and then can't get back to it...or at least I try, but sort of fail. :(
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