Lazy writing

[geronimo_appleby]

They won't try to improve because they've already stated that they aren't interested in receiving criticism. It's that "flipping the bird" to the reader that makes me avoid those writer's stories.

writers'



sorry.

 

[sr71plt]

Or it's written by and for readers who conceptualize in terms of measurements (even if they aren't actually doing the measuring). This thread doesn't seem to be able to get off the dime of snobbishness and "my frames of references are the only ones anyone can have." Writers write with measurements and there are readers who read the measurements with appreciation here (god knows they continue to do so despite weekly declarations that they can't do this) because it's the arousal frame of reference system some folks have. Get over it and just don't read those stories if you think you have the only answer to writing. MYOB.

 

[sr71plt]

They won't try to improve because they've already stated that they aren't interested in receiving criticism. It's that "flipping the bird" to the reader that makes me avoid those writer's stories.

Yes, well, there's no law that says every reader (or very many of them, actually) is a legitimate or appropriate writing critic.

News flash: A lot of writers write here just to share stories. They aren't in a writing class and this is a reading site, not a critique site.

(If that's flipping the bird, let's make the most of it.)

 

[susurrus]

writers'



sorry.

Whoops.

You're right.

 

[susurrus]

Yes, well, there's no law that says every reader (or very many of them, actually) is a legitimate or appropriate writing critic.

News flash: A lot of writers write here just to share stories. They aren't in a writing class and this is a reading site, not a critique site.

(If that's flipping the bird, let's make the most of it.)

To be honest, I'm willing to give the folks who make an honest try of it a chance. In this particular instance, I'm talking about the writers I've discovered over the years who blatantly come out and say they don't care. There haven't been a lot of them, but they are out there.

 

[sr71plt]

It may not be that they don't care about their writing but that they are comfortable with their writing and don't have any reason to believe that the Lit. reader criticizing their writing has any knowledge of writing whatsoever or enough to know what they are talking about. Again, this isn't a critique site. Most readers come here to get off. There's no reason to think they have creative writing masters degrees.

And, for the eightieth time, writing with statistics isn't either lazy or bad writing if it's in character. Not all characters think or speak like snobs.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

Whoops.

You're right.

i don't mean anything by it. i'm just messin'.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

To be honest, I'm willing to give the folks who make an honest try of it a chance. In this particular instance, I'm talking about the writers I've discovered over the years who blatantly come out and say they don't care. There haven't been a lot of them, but they are out there.

i don't give a rat's arse about the scores, but the feedback is different.

although, having said that, sometimes the feedback is lacking in any form of constructive critique.

'u suk and u liv in ur mom's basement' doesn't quite make it.

nor does the: 'YOU ARE A SICK MOTHERFUCKER WHO SHOULD EAT SHIT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE' quite cut it, either.

 

[susurrus]

...And the non-constructive feedback, the "This is the greatest story I've ever read" doesn't really tell you a lot, either. The ego stroke feels a hell of a lot better than the type of stuff you mention, but neither gives you a lot to work on, if you're looking for ways to improve your work.

Let me guess, GA: the kinds of helpful things you mention come from that ever-prolific, ever opinionated fellow Anonymous.


Oh, and a show of hands for folks here who are professional writers? (hand stays in lap)

 

[sr71plt]

No. Hand up. I'm a professional writer (and editor)--and have been for some 45 years--and I'll bet there are others here.

You've put your thumb on the problem of this thread. If you (the general you) aren't a professional writer/writing coach, you really should limit your pontification on how everyone should or must write. This thread is a poster child for this issue. There's nothing more danger than having just a little bit of knowledge about something.

 

[TxRad]

The first rule of writing as I see it anyway. There are no rules for writing if it works for your story and style.