Kudos for sage advice

[daughter]

Whispersecret--

Just read your article on word choice. You brought tears to my eyes.

Seriously, I have mentors who espouse the same. I belong to few poetry boards and sharing this with poets is often met with incredible resistence. I'm convinced your examples, tone, and delivery would be accepted by even the most sensitive among us.

Now, when you conduct a class on being understood without offending, let me know. You know, sometimes you gotta repeat a class from time to time.

Here's the link for those wanting to know how to knock their writing up a notch:

http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?page=1000&id=8981


Peace,

daughter

 

[Whispersecret]

Thanks, daughter. This post was unnecessary. *chuckles* Your email was sufficient, even if I love being praised.

In my opinion, anyone who is serious about their writing revises. I actually intend to revise the piece you're talking about, because it's inaccurate. The method with which I actually choose my words is different from the one I described. But I just haven't done it yet.

In the essay I suggested that I don't like "common" words, like walked or said. On the contrary. Sometimes a basic word like that is necessary and preferred. It depends on the context. One of these days, I'll amend my essay and resubmit it to Laurel.

Also, it's easy to appear non-offensive if you're addressing the general public, as opposed to telling someone about their particular poem. That takes a great deal of effort and diplomacy, which is one of the reasons why I got out of the volunteer editing "business." It took so much darned TIME to word my criticism in a such a way as to not offend the person. Instead of saying,

"Your plot is cliche,"

I'd have to say something like,

"I can't help but feel that this plot has been done before. It's very popular. Perhaps, in order to differentiate yourself from the crowd, you might consider some alternatives to having the dad rub suntan lotion on his daughter's back. Perhaps he's measuring her for a costume he's sewing for her, or she's been in an accident and he's a licensed physcial therapist. Something like that. Be creative and let your mind go."

I'm sure you can see the difference. There is so much effort required to be careful of the egos of total strangers.

I want to spend my time writing my own stuff, as gratifying as it is to help someone improve theirs.

 

[daughter]

being diplomatic

Whisper--

Girl, I hear you. It is easier to say something is cliche, but folks scream bloody murder. I understand the value of being diplomatic. I swear I try(Obviously, I sometimes miss the mark). However, if someone reads your correctly, she would know you said the same thing. Is it rude to point out a legitimate point in a piece of writing?

Granted, there are times when the truth stings, but would a writer prefer not to know that his line or plot has been said a particular way a thousand times?


It does take an enormous amount of time writing critiques or otherwise constructive comments. I wish some folk would consider that before they cuss out someone who took the time to write them. I was taught to thank a critic. I don't have to agree with her. I can ask for clarification or ask the critic to substantiate his point. Even refute if I like. What a writer shouldn't do, is level a personal insult. Isn't that the same behavior the writer abhords?

Some writers are particularly sensitive. Man, I still fail to recognize when I need to tread water. I have been told(and I forget more often than I want to admit) that some people write purely for pleasure. For some, writing is a cathartic exercise. Recognize and respect why folks write, and there will be fewer hurt feelings.

The art of writing a good critique is a learned skill just like learning to write poetry and prose well is dependent on acquired skill. It helps to remember that critics are aspiring writers, too. We're students on the same learning track. Critics fair well when they're diplomatic. Writers fair well when they exercise tolerance and open-mindedness. We're peers not enemies.

While you didn't include it, I knew you knew that common words have their place. What's equally inappropriate is using a word that does not match the tone or level of the language in the rest of the text. In other words, throwing in a big word without considering if it balances with the rest of the text. Stands out like a neon sign. Translation:SEE HOW SMART I AM? I USED A WORD YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW. Then again, throwing in a less common word often adds an interesting ingredient to a read. The point is a writer should be conscious of her vocabulary. She needs to evaluate if she's getting the best bang for the buck with her word choices. How's that for a cliche?

I prefer lean, uncomplicated lines. I think some of the best writing is when a writer effectively describes the complex in simple terms. The task is anything but simple.

Whisper, no problem for the public stroke. Let's say this was more for other newbies like me who might be interested in the reminder. Don't know about you, but some classes, I need a refresher.

Peace,

daughter

 

[Whispersecret]

Whisper--

Girl, I hear you. It is easier to say something is cliche, but folks scream bloody murder. I understand the value of being diplomatic. I swear I try(Obviously, I sometimes miss the mark). However, if someone reads your correctly, she would know you said the same thing. Is it rude to point out a legitimate point in a piece of writing?

Yes, the writer would know I said the same thing, but they'd be more apt to LISTEN instead of cuss. Pointing out legitimate weaknesses is not rude in and of itself, however the method with which one does it can be.

Granted, there are times when the truth stings, but would a writer prefer not to know that his line or plot has been said a particular way a thousand times?

Not always. Some people profess to want honest feedback and constructive criticism, but when they get it, get all huffy and defensive. It's never easy to take criticism, and sometimes we think we can handle it when we really aren't ready for it.

Some writers are particularly sensitive. Man, I still fail to recognize when I need to tread water. I have been told(and I forget more often than I want to admit) that some people write purely for pleasure. For some, writing is a cathartic exercise. Recognize and respect why folks write, and there will be fewer hurt feelings.

That is true. But if people are asking for feedback in the feedback area, they're fair game. And, in my opinion, if they go so far as to post it for public viewing, they must be prepared for people to respond to it. If they're not, then they should tuck it into their diary and keep it to themselves. Them's the breaks.

Critics fair well when they're diplomatic. Writers fair well when they exercise tolerance and open-mindedness. We're peers not enemies.

Good point.

While you didn't include it, I knew you knew that common words have their place. What's equally inappropriate is using a word that does not match the tone or level of the language in the rest of the text. In other words, throwing in a big word without considering if it balances with the rest of the text. Stands out like a neon sign. Translation:SEE HOW SMART I AM? I USED A WORD YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW.

Don'tcha hate that? Especially when the high-falootin' word doesn't fit the sentence. For example, someone looking up "dominant" in their thesaurus might find the word "paramount," and think that's a dandy synonym.

"I cowered before him like the slave I was. His paramount demeanor conquered me like no other's had before."

But it doesn't make sense, and exposes the person as not having quite the vocabulary they wanted people to believe they had.

I prefer lean, uncomplicated lines. I think some of the best writing is when a writer effectively describes the complex in simple terms. The task is anything but simple.

Don't I know it.

By the way, your last email came under anonymous, and your first one, the addy was messed up. I sent you a PM last night.

 

[daughter]

What's up?

Hi, Whisper. My addy is no secret. When I wrote you I must have typed it wrong. Don't kow. Techie, I ain't.

My email is: rasputinsdaughter@yahoo.com

Very cool thread by HomarPinder about poetry. I responded.

Maybe too many years in English classes did me some good. And I'm talking about being able to handle feedback. My writing, well, it's a work in progress, you know.

Holla at you later.

Peace,

daughter