Dante's Stalker
"Outrun this!"
I was inspired to post this here because the same thing that happened in this fanfiction thread also happen on other sites such as Fanfiction. net and DeviantArt, to name a couple.
I wanted to call this The Idiot's Guide to Constructive Criticism but I doubt anyone would read it then.
As the title suggests, this is only a guide on how to receive and give CC that I've compiled based on my personal experiences.
Concrit, for anyone who doesn't know (yet) is short for constructive criticism.
The Receiver:
1. Realize that even if you open your world and characters to people of every age, religion, sexual orientation and gender, not every person is going to like what you put out. This is the reality, and you can do nothing but accept it.
2. Don't be ignorant. If you ask for concrit, make sure your skin is thick enough to take the blows. If you can't handle it, it might be wise to specifically state that you don't want concrit but reviews are welcomed.
3. Concrit is not 'wow!' 'Love it!' 'More plz!^_^' 'This is the best story I've ever read!' That's called praise by a fan of your work. Concrits are not layered with fluffiness.
4. Your pride will be shaken by genuine concrit. You might feel angry, or hurt. This is natural. Nobody likes being told that they're doing something wrong or that they've done something bad. Take a breather and go relax and think over what has been said to you before you jump on your horse and race into an unnecessary war. Once you've accepted that there is validity to the concrit, a simple 'thanks' to the person would suffice.
5. Don't question obvious critique unless you do so with the mentality that you want to know how to fix something. Be smart about it.
6. Implement it! What is the point in receiving concrit if you're going to ignore it and continue making the same mistakes?
7. Differentiate between the type of reviews you receive.
Fan review:
OMG this is so good!
Please update soon!
Wow this is the best!
- Disregard these. They build you a fanbase. They also build you a big head. You might not be as good as they say, and that will be to your detriment, not theirs.
Flames:
You suck!
Nobody wants to read this kinda stuff!
You have so many spelling errors it makes my head want to 'splode!
Stop writing. You're bad.
- Discard these without a second thought. These are trolls. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!
Concrit:
Has substance.
- Heed it, I say!
Now on to the giving part! For all of you who deem yourselves as pro-concritics: read this and weep, and be humbled, because most of you are doing it wrong.
As per the dictionary -> Constructive Criticism: criticism or advice that is useful and intended to help or improve something, often with an offer of possible solutions.
Maybe now that you know what the definition of concrit is you'll do it right.
The Giver:
1. If you're not a literary agent, an editor/proofreader by profession, or haven't thoroughly studied the anatomy of writing in some tertiary form, or haven't been attending regular writer workshops and not writing daily for over three years, you are not ready or apt to leave concrit of any sort. Period.
Why?
Any well-versed writer will respond to your inadequate review and call you out on your inadequacy. Writers can be terrifying when they're tearing an inept reviewer apart, because often than not the writer's knowledge on their profession is vast and obliterates any newbie's attempt at coming across as clever.
2. Be tactful.It's unnecessary and immature to have to revert to the use of words such as 'sucks' or vulgar language. That classes as trolling.
3. Be CONSTRUCTIVE.
Highlight the faults first. If something is romanticized, overused, or Mary Sue/Gary Stu, you have to say where it is romanticized, how it is overused, why it is Mary Sue/Gary Stu.
How can you expect a plumber to fix a pipe if you simply show him into the house and say "There's a leak in the house"? WHERE is the leak?
4. Follow the right sum for concrit:
quote + error = how to mend.
5. Always finish your review by pointing out where the writer did good, whether it was the emotion they brought across well or whether the flow was smooth or whether the character was well portrayed. The writer can't come back at you with a pitch fork if you give them genuine concrit, but that doesn't mean they won't feel a little discouraged. They'll need you to tell them that their writing isn't all errors and flaws, that they did manage to do something right. Be honest. The last thing you want to do is give a writer false praise.
I believe that's all that needs to be said.
Happy writing! ^_^
I wanted to call this The Idiot's Guide to Constructive Criticism but I doubt anyone would read it then.
As the title suggests, this is only a guide on how to receive and give CC that I've compiled based on my personal experiences.
Concrit, for anyone who doesn't know (yet) is short for constructive criticism.
The Receiver:
1. Realize that even if you open your world and characters to people of every age, religion, sexual orientation and gender, not every person is going to like what you put out. This is the reality, and you can do nothing but accept it.
2. Don't be ignorant. If you ask for concrit, make sure your skin is thick enough to take the blows. If you can't handle it, it might be wise to specifically state that you don't want concrit but reviews are welcomed.
3. Concrit is not 'wow!' 'Love it!' 'More plz!^_^' 'This is the best story I've ever read!' That's called praise by a fan of your work. Concrits are not layered with fluffiness.
4. Your pride will be shaken by genuine concrit. You might feel angry, or hurt. This is natural. Nobody likes being told that they're doing something wrong or that they've done something bad. Take a breather and go relax and think over what has been said to you before you jump on your horse and race into an unnecessary war. Once you've accepted that there is validity to the concrit, a simple 'thanks' to the person would suffice.
5. Don't question obvious critique unless you do so with the mentality that you want to know how to fix something. Be smart about it.
6. Implement it! What is the point in receiving concrit if you're going to ignore it and continue making the same mistakes?
7. Differentiate between the type of reviews you receive.
Fan review:
OMG this is so good!
Please update soon!
Wow this is the best!
- Disregard these. They build you a fanbase. They also build you a big head. You might not be as good as they say, and that will be to your detriment, not theirs.
Flames:
You suck!
Nobody wants to read this kinda stuff!
You have so many spelling errors it makes my head want to 'splode!
Stop writing. You're bad.
- Discard these without a second thought. These are trolls. DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!
Concrit:
Has substance.
- Heed it, I say!
Now on to the giving part! For all of you who deem yourselves as pro-concritics: read this and weep, and be humbled, because most of you are doing it wrong.
As per the dictionary -> Constructive Criticism: criticism or advice that is useful and intended to help or improve something, often with an offer of possible solutions.
Maybe now that you know what the definition of concrit is you'll do it right.
The Giver:
1. If you're not a literary agent, an editor/proofreader by profession, or haven't thoroughly studied the anatomy of writing in some tertiary form, or haven't been attending regular writer workshops and not writing daily for over three years, you are not ready or apt to leave concrit of any sort. Period.
Why?
Any well-versed writer will respond to your inadequate review and call you out on your inadequacy. Writers can be terrifying when they're tearing an inept reviewer apart, because often than not the writer's knowledge on their profession is vast and obliterates any newbie's attempt at coming across as clever.
2. Be tactful.It's unnecessary and immature to have to revert to the use of words such as 'sucks' or vulgar language. That classes as trolling.
3. Be CONSTRUCTIVE.
Highlight the faults first. If something is romanticized, overused, or Mary Sue/Gary Stu, you have to say where it is romanticized, how it is overused, why it is Mary Sue/Gary Stu.
How can you expect a plumber to fix a pipe if you simply show him into the house and say "There's a leak in the house"? WHERE is the leak?
4. Follow the right sum for concrit:
quote + error = how to mend.
5. Always finish your review by pointing out where the writer did good, whether it was the emotion they brought across well or whether the flow was smooth or whether the character was well portrayed. The writer can't come back at you with a pitch fork if you give them genuine concrit, but that doesn't mean they won't feel a little discouraged. They'll need you to tell them that their writing isn't all errors and flaws, that they did manage to do something right. Be honest. The last thing you want to do is give a writer false praise.
I believe that's all that needs to be said.
Happy writing! ^_^
