Category: Writing Life, Feedback & Critique
It’s another Archive Revive because I just got a new writing gig and am super busy! Currently, I’m sifting through feedback from the clients, so this re-post is appropriate…
Over the last 15 years, I’ve had lots of opportunities to learn how to deal with script notes, whether from friends, teachers, screenwriters, broadcasters, producers or directors. In TV, it often feels like everyone, even the office dog, critiques your script. So, without further ado, here are 6 tips on handling feedback…
Category: Writing Craft, Feedback & Critique
Last week I blogged about the difference between critique partners and cheerleaders (answer these 5 questions to find out which is which). In short, cheerleaders are friends or family members who cheer us on and love our writing no matter how bad it is. Cherish their enthusiasm, but never rely on them for helpful feedback. Get a critique partner for that.
Once you find a proper crit partner, you’re golden, right? Well, maybe. Thing is, not all feedback is equal. Today I will answer the age-old question…
What is good feedback?
Category: Writing Life, Feedback & Critique
This weekend my best friend from university was in town for a visit. We went to school for Television, me focused on screenwriting, her on the business side of the industry. She’s always been my biggest cheerleader, genuinely thinking everything I write, even the shit I came up with in first year, is great.
Cheerleaders are important people for writers to have in their lives. We tend to be neurotic self-doubters so it’s vital to have someone who doesn’t think your decision to be a writer is stupid, insane or unachievable. Cheerleaders have faith you’re going to make it and love you even when you fail.
But only having cheerleaders read your work isn’t helpful. I love my bestie, but I can’t go to her for constructive criticism. I need critique partners for that, people who will tear my work to shreds and reveal the weak spots. We all need that. But the trouble some aspiring writers run into is they don’t realize the people they’re asking for feedback are cheerleaders and not critique partners…
Category: Writing Life, Feedback & Critique
Critique Groups have been top-of-mind at WriteOnSisters for the last couple weeks. Callie wrote a pro writers group post and Sharon presented the counter opinion. Whether you’re for or against probably depends on your experience. Most writers carry some baggage around when it comes to critique partners and groups. We’ve all been burned before. Finding that perfect match is hard. And if you’ve had a particularly bad breakup that crushed your writer’s heart, it’s scary to put yourself out there again. I understand. That’s why I’ve come up with some questions to ask to help you find a critique partner (or group, if that’s the way you roll) that’s right for you…
Category: Writing Life, Feedback & Critique
We all get tips from well-meaning people who truly believe the wisdom they’re imparting. The most common writer advice I hear is this:
This advice works for a lot of people, but if this isn’t your process it can leave you feeling like you’re doing something wrong. At least that’s how it makes me feel. And lord knows we writers don’t need more self-doubt! So I set out to examine why people give this advice, and to revise it into something more useful for those of us who might not fit the mold.
Category: Writing Life, Feedback & Critique, Screenwriter Tips for Novelists
It’s been so long since I was in school that I can’t even remember if the professors taught us anything about handling feedback. Perhaps they just marked up our scripts in red and waited to see who would cry/quit and who would persevere/rewrite. Luckily, I was in the latter category. And over the last 15 years, I’ve had lots of opportunities to learn how to deal with script notes, whether it’s from friends, teachers, screenwriters, broadcasters, producers or directors. In TV, it often feels like everyone, even the office dog, critiques your script.
So, without further ado, here’s how to handle feedback…