How do I respond to people who Critique my work? Page 2

Someone, can't remember, who, or in what context said 'there is truth in every critique. Consider it, evaluate it, and take what you want from it.'

My thought process is as follows:

1. They have read and commented on my work. They don't have to do that. They have done me a favour. So I am always grateful for every piece of critique. Even if it's expressed in a rather blunt manner.

2. There must be a reason why they said what they said. I try to get to the bottom of that.

3.Do I agree with all of it / or some of it? Ultimately it is my work, and my judgement.

People thinking, talking, discussing, critiquing, being rude about my work- all of it is valuable, all of it it is relevant.

Because if I ever got commissioned, that is what people will be doing at home.

Quote: Jaicee @ August 9 2013, 9:21 AM BST

Tony Take it all with a large pinch of salt.Most people on this site have zero talent , skill or aptitude for writing.What these ones do have are massive over-inflated egos which are a sure sign of desperate insecurity.Your opinion about your own work counts for far more and , of course , anyone who offers you any kind of contract and money.First question you should ask of anyone on this site is - have you had anything optioned? ie. Is anyone interested,impressed or enthralled enough by something you've hacked out, to offer you money to use it.If the answer is no then figure it out for yourself.Don't let the bastards grind you down.

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I disagree, Jaicee. I have had nobody option my work, I have written precisely one script my entire life. I am very very inexperienced, but I think hard about my critique and try to make it honest and helpful.

Whilst my word isn't gospel, I like think I occasionally give writers something to think about. Same for newbies who have commented on my work.

And Jennie you're a good writer whose getting better.

Kinda proof of how critique works.

Quote: Jaicee @ August 9 2013, 9:21 AM BST

Tony Take it all with a large pinch of salt.Most people on this site have zero talent , skill or aptitude for writing.What these ones do have are massive over-inflated egos which are a sure sign of desperate insecurity.

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These are the kind of comments that give critique a bad name
IMO

I prefer to think of critique as the

wait for it

PAN WITH NO NAME!!!

Quote: Steve Sunshine @ August 9 2013, 10:40 AM BST

These are the kind of comments that give critique a bad name
IMO

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I think critique gives critique a bad name. Maybe feedback would be better

Maybe the first rule of critique club should be no one talks about critique club?

No that's the CLIQUE!

Which doesn't exist. Just so we are clear on that.

Quote: sootyj @ August 9 2013, 9:55 AM BST

Besides that's a stumbly most likely. Someone who pretends to have stumbled across their own or a friends work online.

They're fair game.

And my ciritisim is usually fair. But well trolling, time wasting or rudeness I tend to call a spade a spade.

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Sorry for the delay in my response. I went to feed the ducks on the pond that were badly in need of food. Genuinely.

This was your sketch - https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/27592#P984056

We are never going to agree on this one. I accept that. I don't go for the themes that are consistently in your writing away from the forum either but it is very far from knee-jerk and quite well constructed. That in itself is noteworthy.

What are the odds of this thread turning into a police matter?

Quote: Horseradish @ August 9 2013, 11:05 AM BST

Sorry for the delay in my response. I went to feed the ducks on the pond that were badly in need of food. Genuinely.

This was your sketch - https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/27592#P984056

We are never going to agree on this one. I accept that. I don't go for the themes that are consistently in your writing away from the forum either but it is very far from knee-jerk and quite well constructed. That in itself is noteworthy.

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Did you not like it? I think I wrote it as a more wistful piece about a guy with a big dog that didn't allow him to feel like a man.

If you read my response to critics I welcome feedback, I'd welcome yours.

In the thread where I wrote the sketch. Not in an entirely diferent thread.

I'm sure you have both a kitchen and a toilet

What you're currently doing could be viewed as shitting in the kitchen.

But if it amuses you good for you.

Quote: FunyHaHA Not Funy Strange @ August 9 2013, 2:11 AM BST

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and have only submitted one piece of work so far and to be honest have found the feedback very helpful and a little confusing at times, however I was wondering how I respond to comments made by people who's work I don't find funny?
I don't mean this horribly and realize that everyone's opinion counts, and I think its nice to thank someone for their input, however on looking at what Critiques are submitting themselves, I find I'm trapped between "utter genius, please tell me everything you know" and "But you have posted loads of stuff on here and I've not found any of it funny!" how do I say thank you to the ones who's input is clearly important (AKA me mere mortal man listening to the gods!) and nice friendly advice from people I don't think are funny or get it, but know they are more successful at this than I'm ever likely to be?
Thanks
Tony

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Tony, it seems to me you are overthinking it way too much. Honestly, just cast your eyes over any feedback you get, swallow the bits you find helpful, shove the other bits to the side of your plate for the dog.

I do not really buy into Critique being full of backslapping. If anything I tend to match criticism to my level of expectations, so a sketch which might gain a warm reception from a newbie, would get a simple YBW if it came from Freve. But generally I accentuate the positives and try to be specific and constructive with criticism.

As an occasional poster in Critique I would prefer to be slated than ignored. I am a terrible judge of my own work and occasionally need a slap. However, sometimes I am genuinely surprised by the precise criticism, and then it can be useful to have a discussion around that, but simply telling the person who has taken the trouble to comment that they are wrong is probably not a good move. And it is never worth getting in a flame war with someone who just posts to comment that it is shit.

I can get tetchy when someone (and it is usually the same person) says, it has been done before, but with only a vague reference, so I end up wasting time tracking down a sketch which bears only the most tangential relationship to what I have written.

You do not of course need to have won a Bafta for your views to be valid, but if someone with more experience and success is kind enough to comment, then their criticism is worth considering carefully. And if they tell you your work is shit you should really consider whether writing this stuff is a productive use of your time.

One thing that really annoys me from posters is if, rather than attempting to improve, they just continue to clutter the board with the first thing that comes into their heads, usually one gag sketches based on weak puns or childish attempts to shock.

If potential posters who are serious about what they do visit Critique and find it is full of shite they are not going to linger.

Quote: sootyj @ August 9 2013, 11:29 AM BST

Did you not like it? I think I wrote it as a more wistful piece about a guy with a big dog that didn't allow him to feel like a man.

If you read my response to critics I welcome feedback, I'd welcome yours.

In the thread where I wrote the sketch. Not in an entirely diferent thread.

I'm sure you have both a kitchen and a toilet

What you're currently doing could be viewed as shitting in the kitchen.

But if it amuses you good for you.

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Everything in its place. That's cool.

Unlike you, I wouldn't describe the other thread - which includes your work - as a toilet.

Anyhow, good luck and keep it moving!

No further comment.

nb Badge whose been here roughly as long as I have and I count as a friend is regularly my biggest critic.

Why?

Because he's a friend and he knows me and he thinks I'm a good writer. Whose also slap dash and he wants me to do better.

I'm singling him out, but I'd include Ben and Sunshine and others in that collective. Even if I had a falling out withsome during a prolonged period of writers block (sorry Ben and Nils).

All too often new writers like Jennie or Carlos get treated well, becasue f**k it they're polite. Putting up multiple threads, lying about stumbling over stuff, insulting your critics, praising poor work to bribe others into liking yours.
Is rude and above all else boring.

Quote: Horseradish @ August 9 2013, 11:37 AM BST

Everything it its place. That's cool.

Unlike you, I wouldn't describe the other thread - which includes your work - as a toilet.

Anyhow, good luck and keep it moving!

No further comment.

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A toilet is a perfectly acceptable place for the appropriate function.

But do leave feedback, I always welcome honest feedback.