tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post4293730868893200266..comments2023-10-20T22:50:35.641+07:00Comments on tea stains: Julia says ... Part IIJenny Beattiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00640209636605410939noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post-60936804530011395782007-12-28T20:28:00.000+07:002007-12-28T20:28:00.000+07:00Glad you're keeping at it. I don't take criticism ...Glad you're keeping at it. I don't take criticism well, so I don't let anyone but the editor to whom I'm pitching see any of my work. (Until it's published, of course, then I urge everyone to buy a copy.) I, too, take in the negative and tend not to notice there was something positive in the mix -- good job remembering what she said about your strengths. And one of your strengths is terrific: A naturally clear writing style. Academic writing tends to make one's prose dense and passive (I know, I had to overcome that); that you have found your voice in your first novel is fantastic. Keep writing.KeVin K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14792797517571690942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post-47891936561950958782007-12-28T17:45:00.000+07:002007-12-28T17:45:00.000+07:00Now this is a critique by Julia Bell. It is sort o...Now this is a critique by Julia Bell. It is sort of her job to root out problem area (she must have a sort of radar fixed to her head anyway). She isn't going to go on and on about the good things. Although I think the fact that Julia Bell says you can write and that she likes your style says it all.<BR/><BR/>Also, she wouldn't have bothered pointing out the problems if she didn't think it was worth it.<BR/><BR/>I think this is so exciting. Good luck with the re-write. My bet is that once you have the plot issues sorted you'll write it soooooo quickly.<BR/><BR/>p.s my tutor on my Masters course made me write out summaries to each of my chapters to sort out my problem with plot (I NEVER know what is going to happen and place is my main character...I don't think I changed that. I also swapped from first person present tense to third person past tense...). So difficult.Pachahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13528082724529049971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post-45340331002974671782007-12-28T17:02:00.000+07:002007-12-28T17:02:00.000+07:00Oh JJ, I'm glad you are remembering the positives ...Oh JJ, I'm glad you are remembering the positives as well as taking on board the criticism. I find it hard to deal with criticism - I just want to cry or run away with my fingers in my ears! <BR/>I really hope this is just what you need to crank up the novel in Round 2.<BR/>Good luck.Lucy Diamondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831060852859704680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post-8164616738048211212007-12-28T12:41:00.000+07:002007-12-28T12:41:00.000+07:00Thank you guys for your reassurance. It IS hard bu...Thank you guys for your reassurance. It IS hard but asking is often the most difficult. Hearing the response of someone with the benefit of more experience is sobering. But when I finally came away with determination to try again - to start pretty much back at the beginning I realised some kind of inner strengh - I do really want to do this. It is hard, I do need to learn and practice but it's quite simple really, I want to do it and I'm prepared to put in the time to keep trying.<BR/><BR/>JJxJenny Beattiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00640209636605410939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post-42921057423494790812007-12-27T23:06:00.000+07:002007-12-27T23:06:00.000+07:00I've had critiques like that from professional wri...I've had critiques like that from professional writer/teachers and have felt much the same. If it's any comfort, taking them on the chin has ultimately improved my writing, as I'm sure it will for yours. Jen is right, you did really well to hear AND remember the compliments as well as the constructive criticism. They are both like gold dust - you can use them, now, to create something beautiful.Zinnia Cyclamenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04841314997513292477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post-10727572304602239072007-12-27T18:38:00.000+07:002007-12-27T18:38:00.000+07:00Crumbs, you've done brilliantly to take the positi...Crumbs, you've done brilliantly to take the positives from Julia Bell - it's sometimes so much easier to focus on the negatives and crumple up with woe.<BR/><BR/>Like Leigh says though, you can write! Julia Bell says so!! That's pretty bloomin awesome, isn't it?<BR/><BR/>It may seem slow but you're heading in the right direction and that's what counts.<BR/><BR/>Happy Holidays to you too Old Girl<BR/><BR/>XJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08781237143187343971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8148402657600219790.post-24937930230945160922007-12-26T23:40:00.000+07:002007-12-26T23:40:00.000+07:00I've never had such a critique of my work and I ca...I've never had such a critique of my work and I can only imagine how you felt during the mangrove trip. I have huge admiration for you. I admire your strength for taking the criticism on board and, for dealing with it so well and so quickly.<BR/><BR/>And, she said <I>you can write</I>!<BR/>What better compliment is there?Leigh Forbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01651812577518625326noreply@blogger.com