Are Cheerleaders Dangerous?
When I decided to take up writing seriously, the first thing to go were the cheerleaders. That's a hard thing to give up when you're first starting out. Cheerleaders make you feel like a million bucks. They think you walk on water and when you make a mistake, they pat you on the back and assure you the mistake only made the story better.
Sheesh!
The other day, Marian Perera wrote a follow up to my post on fan-fic, and one of her commenters, Linda Adams, mentioned that one of her objections to fan-fic was 'addiction to feedback'.
That is what reminded me of those early cheerleaders and about relying on feedback to write your story.
Feedback addiction is dangerous whether you write fan-fic or original work. I've seen more than a few good writers get sucked into that well and never rise to the next level.
One writer in my first little group could barely write a scene without getting group approval. I was embarrassed for her, yet no one else in the group seemed to mind. They thought they were being helpful.
Obviously, I was the one who had to go. I was outnumbered by do-gooders, saintly critiquers who can derail a writer's career faster than a zombie agent at a RWA conference.
You can't please everyone, nor should you try. Heck, even my old stuff doesn't please me anymore. I always try to aim higher and when I look back, I smile and tell myself, that was then. This is now. What kind of story can I write today?
So, tell me writer friends. Do you still like your old work or do you wish you could rewrite it now that you know better?
Readers: If you followed a particular author, can you tell the difference between her newer work and her older stuff? Is it better--or just different?
Sheesh!
The other day, Marian Perera wrote a follow up to my post on fan-fic, and one of her commenters, Linda Adams, mentioned that one of her objections to fan-fic was 'addiction to feedback'.
That is what reminded me of those early cheerleaders and about relying on feedback to write your story.
Feedback addiction is dangerous whether you write fan-fic or original work. I've seen more than a few good writers get sucked into that well and never rise to the next level.
One writer in my first little group could barely write a scene without getting group approval. I was embarrassed for her, yet no one else in the group seemed to mind. They thought they were being helpful.
Obviously, I was the one who had to go. I was outnumbered by do-gooders, saintly critiquers who can derail a writer's career faster than a zombie agent at a RWA conference.
You can't please everyone, nor should you try. Heck, even my old stuff doesn't please me anymore. I always try to aim higher and when I look back, I smile and tell myself, that was then. This is now. What kind of story can I write today?
So, tell me writer friends. Do you still like your old work or do you wish you could rewrite it now that you know better?
Readers: If you followed a particular author, can you tell the difference between her newer work and her older stuff? Is it better--or just different?
Comments
As a writer, I don't trust feedback that is entirely positive. I want to know where I can improve, not what I've done right. I've seen this too and often ruffle feathers when I don't always offer 'positive' critiques on someone's work. Meh, they shouldn't ask if they don't really want to know.
Do I like my old work? God, no. I hate it. I want to rewrite it but honestly, it's so bad I can't be bothered. I don't have the time at the moment, maybe some day. Or maybe I'll leave it as crappy as it is so that I can see how far my writing has come since then.
As a reader, I can tell the difference between some of my favorite authors' older and newer stuff. I think for the most part, it's not always better, but it is different. But their 'voice' hasn't changed. I hope that makes sense.
Ref: But their 'voice' hasn't changed. I hope that makes sense.
That does make sense. And I think when it comes right down to it, it's their voice that brings me back. Good observation.
Ref: ...where I can improve, not what I've done right.
I don't mind if my CPs point out what I did well because it helps me to understand my storytelling as a whole. But I love it when they point out the things I missed or was too 'lazy' to elaborate further. This helps me immensely.
(Sometimes, when I do have time to read some Twitter #FridayFlash, I will take extra time for critique. And I suspect some people hate me for this, but I am really trying to be honest, because otherwise we don't get better. And I really like it if people leave honest critique for my stories, because I don't polish or only put out the best I can - I put out almost whatever I write on my blog. Sometimes I scroll back to when I started posting my stories online (only a few months back), and I won't recognize the stories and read them and see the flaws. Which helps me learn and improve myself.
I assumed the whole idea to groups like that, was to learn and grow, but when you see them making the same mistakes over and over, you really begin to wonder if they're even taking your suggestions into consideration.
My work has improved considerably since I started getting serious. Would I re-work some of my old stuff? I've tried and I just can't get the tone right, so I leave them alone. Like your other posted said, they're done, and I always believe if a story knows how it's suppose to sound, and I, just the vessel to write them out.
For me, it's usually about 2-3 months. That's how long it takes me to let it sink in and analyze it.
I feel very comfortable with my CPs because I feel they truly care about helping me improve. It takes a great deal of trust in a good crit relationship. It's just like a marriage.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Dear heavens... I'm embarrassed I ever showed it to anyone.
I love a crit group that balances some praise with valid crits. I think you need to have a little bit of "hey, I liked that part" along with the "but that part really stinks because of XXX."
I keep it all though, even the horrid literary stuff I wrote at university.
I think everyone should have one cheerleader. No more t... no less.
Ref: crap stew
Mine has a lot of spices too. LOL.
The trick is to know that the cheerleader is cheering, not critting.
Ref: LKH
You're the third person who's said that to me in less than two weeks.
hmm...I wonder what happened with her.
Fanfic? If it's mostly for pleasure (as opposed to improving one's writing skills), all cheerleaders is fine.
Short stories for a small local magazine? More critic needed. Manuscripts to be sent to Writers' House or Jean Naggar? Lots of critic.
I'm definitely rewriting a couple of my older manuscripts. Doesn't mean I don't love them, doesn't mean I didn't put my heart into them. Just means that skills should not be static.
Right you are. I get silly with glee when my skill level takes another forward step.