The free website to help new writers to develop, and to help talented writers get noticed and published Books
   
What has a pro crit done for you << Return To Main Site

 Welcome to the YouWriteOn Forum

**2012 News Random House & Orion Editors to continue free reviews of YouWriteOn Top Ten Writers each month  - publishers of many of the world's bestselling authors 

YouWriteOn Authors' Hall of Fame Congratulations to our many authors achieving sales and signings successes through  Waterstones, WHSmith and others! View Hall of Fame
     

YouWriteOn Message Board > Literary Forums > The Top Ten Help Search Recent Posts
What has a pro crit done for you
Page 1 Last : 2 > Start New Topic Reply To Topic
Mostar
 23 Sep 2011, 19:19 #130679 Reply To Post
I'm eagerly awaiting a pro crit from last month's TBA competition and I've been asked by a new member what the site has given me.

I don't have an answer to the latter and all I'm focussed on is getting that pro crit so I can begin to re-write and improve!

THEN, it occurred to me that perhaps I ought not to be so singularly focused!

Do any other members have interesting thoughts to share on what a pro crit did for them?

Mo
On turning fact into fiction: African Violet blogpost on Sue Howe's site: http://howesue.wordpress.com/
kazmojazz
 23 Sep 2011, 19:48 #130685 Reply To Post
My first effort had a scathing mini crit from Orion, the like of which I don't think I've seen since. After the initial sting (and, oh my goodness, it DID sting!), I realised I had two options: give up and go home, or try to get rid of all the melodrama and cliches (Which pretty much made up my whole story. I'm very fond of cliches - and melodrama, come to think of it. I'm a Muse fan).

No way was I giving up so, after short sulk, I set about learning everything I could from the people on this site. Must say that, for all the crap reviews we all get now and again, there are some very patient people on here. Generous too, in that they share their knowledge, spend time writing decent critiques, tell you where it works, where it doesn't and why.

Just realised I haven't really answered the question (must be the Medoc ). Suppose the pro crit told me I had a LOT to learn and spurred me on to try to learn it.

Back to the wine.
This post was last edited by kazmojazz, 23 Sep 2011, 20:47
Mostar
 23 Sep 2011, 21:43 #130707 Reply To Post
Ah, thank you Beth. And big CONGRATULATIONS on the success of The System. I haven't read it yet, but I promise I will!

Funnily enough it was a small aside from you on the MB recently that got me thinking along these lines. I was interested in the fact you mentioned you'd had a harsh crit, but yet here you are succeeding in leaps and bounds on the TT and - from what I can see - taking the good wishes and support of fellow YWO-ers with you. That is an incredible testament to your writing and this site.

I confess, I am probably preparing myself for a shattering critique and wondering how I will respond. Like pretty much everyone, I imagine, I really care about becoming better at this novel business and I would hate to end up with the sense that I should go back to the day job!

Thanks so much for giving me motivation that I can keep improving whatever the outcome of the pro crit!

On turning fact into fiction: African Violet blogpost on Sue Howe's site: http://howesue.wordpress.com/
rinkytink
 23 Sep 2011, 21:58 #130711 Reply To Post
Feeling a bit put out here-I thought my pro-crit of a Small Earthquake in Sheffield had been given the worst pro-crit of all time. It culminated in a totally unamused critter telling me I should find myself a creative writing class. I'd already had interest in the piece before the pro-crit came through so I took it on the chin. It was reviewed a 2nd time by someone who seemed to get the joke 'though. I have to say most of what the pro-critters tell you, you can get from a couple of good reviewers on here.
Quote: kazmojazz, Friday, 23 Sep 2011 19:48
My first effort had a scathing mini crit from Orion, the like of which I don't think I've seen since. After the initial sting (and, oh my goodness, it DID sting!), I realised I had two options: give up and go home, or try to get rid of all the melodrama and cliches (Which pretty much made up my whole story. I'm very fond of cliches - and melodrama, come to think of it. I'm a Muse fan).

No way was I giving up so, after short sulk, I set about learning everything I could from the people on this site. Must say that, for all the crap reviews we all get now and again, there are some very patient people on here. Generous too, in that they share their knowledge, spend time writing decent critiques, tell you where it works, where it doesn't and why.

Just realised I haven't really answered the question (must be the Medoc ). Suppose the pro crit told me I had a LOT to learn and spurred me on to try to learn it.

Back to the wine.


Only an "s" stands between laughter and slaughter.
sulcus
 23 Sep 2011, 22:27 #130716 Reply To Post
Quote: rinkytink, Friday, 23 Sep 2011 21:58
I have to say most of what the pro-critters tell you, you can get from a couple of good reviewers on here.
Quote: kazmojazz, Friday, 23 Sep 2011 19:48





which begs a question or two...
"A,B&E", "Not In My Name" and "52FF" (flash fiction anthology) all available on Amazon Kindle

"How a psychopath makes sweet love. I can get you ringside. Royal box even."
kazmojazz
 23 Sep 2011, 22:46 #130720 Reply To Post
We should start a club, Jo (along with MK's gardening one, of course).

Thanks for the congratulations, Mo, and the same to you for your success with African Violet. Haven't had a chance to read it yet but I love the cover. What sweet little girls!

Don't fret too much about the pro-crit. I'm sure you'll be fine. Ultimately though, like all critiques, it's one person's opinion and they're not going to like everything.
Palache
 23 Sep 2011, 22:58 #130722 Reply To Post
I'm an unabashed believer in the TT, despite its imperfections. I've been lucky enough to have two stories make it there, and it felt good to know that my YWO peers liked what I wrote. The pro-crits didn't make any particular impression on me, although I thought both were fair. Of course if they'd said 'Please send me more . . .' THAT would have made an impression.
my website
pam1234writing
 23 Sep 2011, 23:39 #130725 Reply To Post
I have had three pro-crits, two on the same short story and both totally opposite to each other! I sold the story with no alterations from either crit for $150 Canadian dollars! The only changes I made were from prior recommendations by reviewers on here. That should tell you something!

The pro critter on my novel "Always On My Mind" made a few pointers that she'd like to see but those were already in the next few chapters anyway, so apart from a brief edit I didn't make too many changes. The novel sells well on Kindle. It really isn't all about getting a tt place and a pro-crit, although it's a nice achievement, but more about getting your fair share of helpful reviews from members to polish up the work.
"And, in the end, the love you take / Is equal to the love you make." Lennon and McCartney 1969

Three Steps to Heaven
'Til I Kissed You
Always On My Mind
A rock'n'roll romance series by Pam Howes all available on Amazon in paperback and e-Books.
Visit my website for details.
Fast Movin' Train - A stand alone love story.
Amazon links on:
website
John Dylan
 24 Sep 2011, 00:29 #130727 Reply To Post
Quote: Mostar, Friday, 23 Sep 2011 19:19
I'm eagerly awaiting a pro crit from last month's TBA competition


Patience , my friend. I've been eagerly awaiting a pro crit from the first NBA competition (stories submitted in May and rated during June). They said results would be posted within 4 to 6 weeks, starting from the 1st of July. Eleven weeks have passed and no pro crit. They did post the crits for the 4th and the 5th winners only, but the the other three are still pending.

Either the level of submissions were extremely horrible that editors got hospitalized from the shock and are thus unable to type a review, or that they haven't came yet from their summer vacations. So I guess it's best to forget about the NBA crits and go ahead with your writing. You can also read the previous pro crits for the monthly TT. Lots of interesting comments and bits of advice there.
Athene
 24 Sep 2011, 17:48 #130775 Reply To Post
I'm not sure that procrits on short stories are often very helpful - I've had four, all very encouraging, which was good to read, but with no hugely useful suggestions.

I've also had one on each of my novels. The first, from a novelist, was very detailed, and made some very helpful comments, almost all of which I made use of before self-publishing. That one was also useful in that the procritter completely fell for the first red herring (it's a mystery story), which encouraged me to think that other readers would too (I think I'm right about that - so far the only person I know of who wasn't fooled by it was my brother, who knows me too well to take it at face value).

My second procrit, from an agent, was very useful in a couple of areas, but as far as the basic story was concerned, the procritter simply didn't "get it," and advised me to cut one of the more important bits completely.

I would say that a procrit is well worth having, especially if you're writing a novel. You often have to wait quite a long time for them to appear, though.
This post was last edited by Athene, 24 Sep 2011, 17:55


Scias te fortasse Romanum esse si animal convivialissimum arbitreris esse caprum
(Henricus Barbatus)


my website
Page 1 Last : 2 > Add To My Topic Watch List Start New Topic Reply To Topic
Server Time: 24 May 2012, 17:27

Powered by Zarr Forums

5 Database Read(s) - 0.297 seconds

 

Adverts provided by Google and not endorsed by YouWriteOn.com.