It's dark and cloudy outside. A perfect day for writing. Now if only my son decides that a dark and cloudy day is good for a long nap.
S.C.I.F.I. (my writer's group) met on Saturday afternoon. Only three of us attended and we critiqued each other's stories. I learn so much about critiquing from them. I submitted a short noir piece for them to read. I had edited it to the best of my abilities. I couldn't think of anything that needed to be changed. Yet, wow. The things I didn't even think about. The main one being the physical choreography of the climax. Physically, it doesn't work. In my head, I had imagined one thing. On paper, it's impossible. It needs to be rewritten. Otherwise, they really liked the story.
I like to listen to them critique other stories too. I realized that I'm willing to suspend my belief of certain technical aspects for the sake of the overall story. Seeing the overall story has always been my strength in critiquing, but these folks are about details. I need to learn to critique as well on the micro level as I do on the macro one. There will be readers out there like me who will focus on the overall story, but there are readers who love the little details. They will be turned off if something isn't right. I know you can't please everyone, but I'm eager learn how to improve the quality of my writing to please some of the nitpickers.
I saw the new Harry Potter film on Friday night. Oh yeah. It's an awesome ending to the series. And no, sorry, I didn't cry.
Yeah, that physical choreography will get you every time. *laughs* I'm lucky in my group that we have some former military men. They tell me all the neat ways I can kill people in my stories that work and those that do not.
ReplyDeleteAs a reader, I'm more for the overall picture. As an editor, I have to nitpick over the details. It's very helpful to be able to see both.
Yay for seeing Harry Potter!
I have trouble with choreography, too; sometimes it's hard to get things moving realistically through a scene.
ReplyDeleteWe learn a lot when we start critiquing others, don't we?
ReplyDeleteMan, you're group sounds awesome! It's great that you all mesh so well together.
ReplyDelete*hangs head in shame* I haven't seen the new Potter yet, BUT I will this Friday and I can't wait
Ooo. I look forward to seeing Harry.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about critique, and why I think multiple partners is a must, is everyone sees something different and picks up on different things. I learn so much from my groups -- one local spanning all genres, the other digital and sci-fi.