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Time For The Critics
Copyright 2018 Christina M. Guerrero
DEDICATION
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STORY BEHIND THE STORY
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ABOUT THE DRAFTS
Draft One:
Second writing challenge of 2018, but more of a list.
Draft Two:
Would it be more entertaining if I responded to each one?
Thinking about that.
Draft Three:
Ready to be submitted to an editor.
If you're going to be a public figure, or an actor, or a writer, or a politician, or an artist of any kind, or do something for a living that involves a wide audience, you're going to have critics.
You can do one, or all, or none, of the following: ignore them, pay attention, take them seriously, not take them seriously, heckle back, just listen, and many other things that tickle your fancy.
I will usually take an editor more seriously than anyone else.
Here is a partial list of what the critics have to say (so far), in no particular order, with my comments:
“Your transitions need work.”
My transitions will always need work.
“Why is the heroine doubting the hero? He told her what he thought.”
People do not always say what they mean, or mean what they say. And those listening may have reasons why they believe or doubt. I rewrote a few sentences so the dynamic between the characters would be somewhat clearer, but not lead to spoilers.
“Your writings/writing focus/focuses on playing the victim.”
Nothing was specified. Which writing or writings? The note I wrote recently, to remind myself to pick up a few groceries? My book-keeping? The links at the top of each of my web pages? My query letters? I write a lot of things.
“Are you published?”
This was a strange question, as at the time, I had 98 print credits and 100 online credits.
“This is a flashback.”
LOL. Yes, I know. I wrote those words and I know what it is called. (For as long as I can remember, writers have been encouraged not to expose the plot via flashbacks. However, flashbacks CAN be found in plenty of published works).
“This is confusing.”
It was.
“Some of your stuff is pretty good.”
Thank you.
“Your manuscript geared toward the romance market reads more like women's fiction.”
There is a challenging and frustrating difference between the two. Can you refer to serious or taboo or unorthodox subjects in a short category romance? Yes, but the focus is on the romance. Can you do the same in women’s fiction? Yes, and that is where to expand upon the serious subjects. Try, try again, as they say.
“Get rid of the repetitions in this draft.”
That was rather embarrassing, as the same word had been used about ten times in two paragraphs.
“Your manuscript may have failed to rise above the hundreds of others submitted this month.”
Another LOL. I had hoped the manuscript would please and impress everyone who read it, but anticipated that it would not.
“This doesn't quite work for us.”
That was disappointing, as I believed it was a perfect fit.
“Not bad.”
Thank you. (LOL. They did not say it was good).
“I thought you did an excellent job with that article.”
Another surprise, as I believed the critic to be rather tough to please.
“Thank you for being fair in your coverage of our company.”
I was glad to hear this, as I tried to get out of writing the story, but the editor insisted I write it.
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
These individuals have my sympathy and apologies. They received one of the worst query letters I have ever written. Their response was no surprise. I bet they have the letter framed somewhere, and break it out for a bit of humor now and then.
“Except for one issue that needs to be addressed, the article is well-written.”
I had hoped to write a ‘perfect’ story, and felt disappointed.
Criticism is just that.
Use it, ignore it, take it to heart, work with it.
Write a story about it and post it on the Internet.
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