tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post7533236647056172838..comments2023-07-01T07:31:28.450-06:00Comments on LDS Publisher: Nice to Meet You. I Hated Your Book.LDS_Publisherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15053645600240124892noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post-63983770664542103242008-02-12T17:34:00.000-07:002008-02-12T17:34:00.000-07:00This is where a good critique group is invaluable....This is where a good critique group is invaluable. They tear me to pieces, and I love them for it. <BR/><BR/>I tend to be really critical of books as well, but I also know a ton of authors. I don't think I've ever been in a situation where I had to lie about how much I did or did not like their work. <BR/><BR/>Fact is, in my experience, if an author genuinely wants constructive criticism, they'll ask for it directly. Otherwise, if we run into each other in at a conference or other setting, I keep it positive and/or vague like you've recommended here.<BR/><BR/>After all, once a book is on shelves, they can't change it anymore, so critcism isn't nearly as valuable as in the drafting stage anyway.Annette Lyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12493583432919249814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post-19722868407123580652008-02-09T10:17:00.000-07:002008-02-09T10:17:00.000-07:00I recently sold my first novel which is coming out...I recently sold my first novel which is coming out next month. The big surprise for me is that my editor was only focused on grammar. I was hoping for help on polishing but she feels its good to go.<BR/><BR/>When you write virtually alone and your editor loves everything you do, where does the feedback come from?<BR/><BR/>I can't wait to hear people rip apart my first book so my second is one hundred times better.Christine Thackerayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05551874470033926037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post-18384943950582170212008-02-08T20:38:00.000-07:002008-02-08T20:38:00.000-07:00I've heard before with criticizing anything, you s...I've heard before with criticizing anything, you should sandwich it--positive, negative, positive.<BR/>Good suggestions! :-)Tamsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936856981969702002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post-38434876064054070902008-02-06T14:00:00.000-07:002008-02-06T14:00:00.000-07:00I've done editing and reviewing for both writers a...I've done editing and reviewing for both writers and authors. I've found that pointing out all the good portions, then showing the "needs work" portions is a good formula. <BR/><BR/>I recently edited a MS that needed tons of work. I also knew it was the writers very first novel and she never had anyone else look at it. Even though it wasn't anywhere close to "ready for submission" stage - there were many good aspects of the novel. After showing her the things she was doing correctly, I was then able to point out areas that needed improvement. Later she emailed me to say that even though she knew there were several things she needed to research and change, she came away from the review feeling ready to tackle the project rather than wanting to toss it into the recycle bin. I think good editors are able to be honest without ripping a writer to shreds. I also feel that a writer needs to be willing to receive feedback without being offended. Both are balancing acts that can be difficult to perform.<BR/><BR/>But if I were in a public setting - I totally agree with LDSP - I'd give general positive feedback. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the great blog!Danyelle Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00006907198681924095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post-23689025573694521102008-02-06T11:29:00.000-07:002008-02-06T11:29:00.000-07:00I sometimes give feedback on fan fiction stories. ...I sometimes give feedback on fan fiction stories. Fanfic is a great way for the budding author to grow and learn, and I try to encourage them because I know it takes guts to show your work to the world. Unfortunately, some of the budding authors are not, shall we say, the brightest stars in the grammar firmament, and it can be a challenge to find something nice to say to them. I usually comment on parts of the story and gloss over the problems. For instance, without mentioning the many errors in spelling, pacing, and continuity, you can always say, "I loved the part where the cat came running in with a dead squirrel in its mouth and dropped it at the heroine's feet just as she was getting out of the shower. I could just imagine how she screamed when she realized she was standing on its bushy tail!"<BR/><BR/>Although this could be difficult if you're actually face to face with the author and you threw their book across the room after reading page two because you just couldn't stand it any more. In that case, perhaps a genuine, "I thought it was a wonderful idea for a book!" could be the ideal solution. (You don't have to mention that somebody else might have done a better job with that idea.)Melanie Goldmundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00270135660110676225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post-54633292004020240822008-02-05T20:41:00.000-07:002008-02-05T20:41:00.000-07:00Dear Friends ,,,, on an unrelated topic that requi...Dear Friends ,,,, on an unrelated topic that requires our attention....<BR/>Recently a friend in our fold brought this "film" to my attention.<BR/>Her son apparently was sent this web link from someone.<BR/>this is NOT a joke,,,, I've been told that some people <BR/>question my intentions.<BR/>It's a movie clip (that has been recently released, or is about to,,, I'm not sure),,<BR/>anyway, it depicts Mormons as flesh eating ghouls, and it is just awful. www.thebookofzombie.com<BR/>PLEASE don't go to this web site,,, please just make note of it,,,,,<BR/><BR/>On behalf of myself and my husband, and our Mormon friends,<BR/> I would like to make sure that young people are NOT subjected to this terrible conception of true faith.<BR/><BR/>please let me know if you are able to help.<BR/><BR/>regards, Betty TomsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25573541.post-56327386450561027552008-02-05T15:47:00.000-07:002008-02-05T15:47:00.000-07:00How does a writer get such honest reviews?Writers ...How does a writer get such honest reviews?<BR/><BR/>Writers generally want to improve, but how does that happen if they can't get honest feedback?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com