tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486160112058546188.post1122968811438658891..comments2023-10-17T09:39:15.864-04:00Comments on The Glens Falls Writers Group: First Thursday RecapJohn Briggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04876485653852613512noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486160112058546188.post-49204214855441845572010-02-11T15:35:55.393-05:002010-02-11T15:35:55.393-05:00Now that we're making a conscious effort to fo...Now that we're making a conscious effort to follow this again, I'll work on being a better umpire. It works hand-in-hand with managing critique times in general now that we have such a full table and full docket of submissions. I have some ideas to try. <br /><br />I agree with Brian's comment on interactivity. Interaction, between the author and the other members, often leads us to undiscovered points and further understanding of writing in general. <br /><br />"If it's not on the pages we have, an author can't discuss it," will be my mantra to help cut down on rebuttals.<br /><br />More productive critiques are in everyone's better interest.Kay Hafnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843162563482986425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486160112058546188.post-42106321860580509292010-02-11T11:15:20.740-05:002010-02-11T11:15:20.740-05:00Yeah I think it's a careful balance. We've...Yeah I think it's a careful balance. We've seen the effects of give an inch, take a mile. But the flip side is that if there's no interactivity whatsoever and the author can't ask about something s/he was trying to accomplish, then why listen to comments aloud when you can just read them on paper. I just think we should emphasize that authors' interventions (unless responding to a direct question) should be very minimal and should be designed to get clarification, not counter every little critiquing point.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08797243971179303040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486160112058546188.post-87193562683444637132010-02-08T20:37:22.075-05:002010-02-08T20:37:22.075-05:00I don't think it should be absolute either, th...I don't think it should be absolute either, though I fear we run the risk of give an inch, take a yard. Authors are certainly allowed to respond if asked a direct question, or if something has come up for debate among two members and needs to be settled. Authors who want to know if they managed x and y, or if something in particular comes across, or if the dialogue works, etc., should probably follow an old rule about putting it on the front sheet so reviewers know to look for it. Although I'm against that, too, since once they become aware of it, well, it tends to slant their opinions. Perhaps, if not that, then the author can ask upon finish his 2-3 page reading.<br /><br />Any thoughts, Kay?John Briggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04876485653852613512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486160112058546188.post-50373852386159981212010-02-08T14:56:06.770-05:002010-02-08T14:56:06.770-05:00The only thing I'd add is that this should be ...The only thing I'd add is that this should be a general rule, not absolute. I think it's legit for an author to ask something like, "I intended to get across x and y. Do you think I succeeded?" I think a little bit of interactivity is fine, even beneficial, so long as it's in that spirit, so long as the authors keep their interventions limited. If interactivity is banned completely, then what's the point of saying the critiques aloud when you could just give it to the author and let him/her read it. <br /><br />That said, I think the 'no comment' thing is good as a general rule. Sometimes, we get authors contesting almost every single point made by critiquers and it can be exasperating. The process is not adversarial, so writers should try not to take it personally. Writers should remember that critiques are simply intended as feedback. You're always free to take it or leave it. But if you ask for feedback (which you are, by definition, when you submit things), then at least listen to it with an open mind.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08797243971179303040noreply@blogger.com