::teary eyed::

[permetaform]

because I just reread The Morning After by Isis again and it reaffirmed my love of Snape/Black.

because these thoughtful words from d_r_o_n_e I loved exceedingly and because this one quote works so very well with Johnny Depp that I used it in my infopage and because that picture always makes my heart go *squish*.

because Surfaces by cupiscent is an h/d fic just so painfulbeautifulwrongbroken in all these semi-hidden ways and by god, THIS is how denial in first person is written folks. THIS is how you do it.

because the world sucks and because the world is beautiful all the same.

because this man is starting to give me hope and this man just makes me cry. sometimes with laughter.

because I can't write linearly. Oh WHY can't I write linearly?! damn. it. ::head in hands::

and a side note: question for you all, how do you state in a review, or a beta, that you thought that the author could have written better? (and if you're reading this, I'm not talking about you) Is there any tactful way of saying something? Should I just ignore it?

Comments

[lierdumoa.livejournal.com]

Generally I won't say anything in a review if I think the author could have done better. Generally I don't know an author well enough to know if they could have done any better. When I beta, it's a different story. In beta situations, I tend to say things like "You should spend more time explaining..." or "The dialogue in this scene doesn't seem to flow as naturally as it did in this other scene"

In other words, I try to be as specific as possible. Rather than simply saying, "you could have done better," I'll try to point out something (or things) specific that could be improved.

Unless, of course, I know the person I am betaing for really well. In such cases, I'm not too afraid of offending the person and I tend to lean towards the very, very blunt. I'll say something like, "I've noticed that the writing quality degenerates after this point. Hmmmm?" Of course, I'd have to have betaed for someone a number of times before -- enough to be able to recognize their writing style and have developed a fairly strong rapport.

[majokai.livejournal.com]

usually I'll screw subtlety and tell that fellow straight. be specific though, and polite. As an author, I appreciate it when my readers tell me exactly what they think is wrong with my stories and what I can to make it better for them and for me. If the author in question here is somewhere near reasonable, he/she shouldn't be angry over a couple of constructive criticism.

Life is never a bed of roses. Even if it is, there are always thorns, right?

[penm.livejournal.com]

and a side note: question for you all, how do you state in a review, or a beta, that you thought that the author could have written better? (and if you're reading this, I'm not talking about you) Is there any tactful way of saying something? Should I just ignore it?

Generally I just tell them straight-up in a blunt manner what's wrong and what they could improve on and stuff like that. If they're friends, I'll tell be even more blunt with them because they can handle it. Also I'm a grammar harlot and if I see punctuation not used well I'll go berserk on them (in a nice sort of way). If they get shirty and start insulting me in retaliation, that's when I start to get really aggressive, all the while laughing in my shirt privately.

... this may not be the best approach for most people, but it works for me. Usually because I don't have any qualms about having people hate me or think I am a bitch.

That doesn't help, does it. Oh well.

[sithjawa.livejournal.com]

"You're a really good writer, love, and I know for a fact that you know better than to use five adjectives in a row"?

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

First of all :::hugs and hands over the tissues::: Linear writing may just not be your style. To thine own self be true, luv. Write the way your story demands to be told. Don't stress yourself out---there's no point.

As for the beta/review, I have done betas for some inexperienced writers and was accutely aware that I had to chose my words carefully in giving a critique in order to help them write better, without scaring them off entirely. I found that wording things as suggestions and including a possible rephrasing to illustrate my meaning. It's a gentle way of making the point and still helps the writer in question to see what may be lacking or overdone or badly worded.

Just my two cents.

Hang in there, darlin'

hugs

B

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

Argh....I did screw up that one sentence there---sorry. What I meant to say was that I found the above method of giving critiques is more helpful to the writer and kinder.

hugs,

B (whose JackMuse has hijacked her grammar)

[cupiscent.livejournal.com]

(Is it immodest to publicly respond to and give thanks for recs? I'm so uncertain with my netiquette. Perhaps I should graciously turn a blind eye or something. But it makes me happy, and I just wanted to tell you so.)

Giving constructive criticism is always a tricky thing. But I think the review and the beta are two separate situations. The beta is supposed to help it be a better piece. They're like RL editors, there to help the author shape the work. So in that instance, I'm not sure there should be any hesitation about saying: "Over here, this expression is clumsy and over there, I'm not sure that really feels very in character." When I'm beta-reading, I always emphasise that this is my opinion, and this is my overall feel, and this is where I'm coming from, and of course, it's the author's work.

I think the standard, fall-back way of giving 'bad news' in a review or critique is to give a list of what's right, and then some pointers on what you think is 'wrong'. Like: "Your characterisation of X is really great, especially in this scene. In contrast, I found Y to be rather two-dimensional." Or: "The plot is so fabulous, but it's hard to appreciate because of the cliched expression here and there."

Just go with what feels right, I think. Look at it and ask if you'd want that sort of thing addressed to you. (Although, of course, all of us have varied desires in that regard. I hang out for harsh criticism. I am a literary masochist. *g*)

[permetaform]

Is it immodest to publicly respond to and give thanks for recs?

er, heh, then I was immodest several times over...but yeah, no problem! It was my utter pleasure to pimp your fic because it's just lovely, and also, thank you for your comments on the rewiew/beta issue