Peter, Paul and Mary.
How critique-y should critique be? Page 6
All of this bad feeling and even superiority has quite put me off offering critique.
That's you off the 'Panel' then Mr Goodlad, I have to admit I was half expecting a bit of trouble from the Cleackheaton Clique!
Quote: Teddy Paddalack @ August 8 2013, 4:15 PM BSTI have to admit I was half expecting a bit of trouble from the Cleackheaton Clique!
The who?
Quote: Stephen Goodlad @ August 8 2013, 4:05 PM BSTAll of this bad feeling and even superiority has quite put me off offering critique.
That is sad 
I don't think it's that bad really, whatever blows up usually resolves itself fairly quickly.
What I would say though is we could do with some sort of 'rating' button, being the lazy sods some of us are, those who don't have the time or inclination to give a detailed critique could click a box to give a score. Sometimes Critique feels too 'quiet' which is the worst thing really, peoples hard work just gets lost in the haze never to be seen again once the page is full...don't know how hard it would be to set up an 'index page' of some sort where sketches etc could be found again and where we could see their rating, might be a useful resource to see writers progress as time goes by.
10/10 Shan
Quote: Jennie @ August 3 2013, 6:19 PM BSTBeen musing on this today, as I've seen a couple of a mumblings that comments here are too negative.
Personally, I think critique is the only way to improve, so I want my work to be slaughtered as much as possible. But I know not everyone is like that.
However, praising something to high heaven when it is average at best isn't going to help either.
I guess writing something is like having a baby. You create it, you nurture it, you provide for it. You know every finger and every toe intimately. You know how much it has grown, how much potential it has in it's future.
And then you release it into the wider world. Suddenly, you realise that not everyone sees your child the way you do. Someone might point out that it has a big nose, or that it isn't any good at maths. And you hate them for not seeing your baby the way you do.
So how critique-y should we be?
The comments on this thread make for interesting reading. Several folk appear to go straight to whether something is good or bad. Their second consideration is how subtly or bluntly to say it. There are at least two problems with that approach. One is that nothing in the world is ever wholly good or wholly bad. Another is that personal taste varies. Many hate even the top rated shows. There are no absolutes.
I think that the "good or bad and that is it" approach should ideally be reserved for the tiny minority of submissions which people either feel ecstatic about or really can't stand. To say more often than not that something is just bad is pretty lame and in many cases driven by ego. I don't think it provides the service people claim although it possibly chimes with The Apprentice, X-Factor etc. It's modish and tabloidesque.
The quite good needs suitable comment and then to be partially counter-balanced with suggested areas of improvement. The quite bad would benefit from a note on the positives, which in most cases are easy to find. Where people are clearly first timers, there is also a strong argument for going easier than on those who are old hands. Otherwise, the flame is extinguished. I tend to look too at their themes to get an idea of their issues or, in some cases, excesses of cockiness. Any critique should obviously be tailored to suit.
You should post here more, Horseradish. Everything you say is thoughtful and considered.
Quote: Jennie @ August 8 2013, 5:07 PM BSTYou should post here more, Horseradish. Everything you say is thoughtful and considered.
I only wish it was but that's a nice thing to say. Thanks Jennie - and best wishes to you!
Quote: Teddy Paddalack @ August 8 2013, 4:55 PM BST10/10 Shan
See...my system works perfectly 
Quote: Shandonbelle @ August 8 2013, 3:27 PM BST"I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you, now don't be sad, cos 3/10 ain't bad"
>_<
Were you a roadie for 10cc?
Quote: Stephen Goodlad @ August 8 2013, 4:05 PM BSTAll of this bad feeling and even superiority has quite put me off offering critique.
There's always an upside
Quote: Shandonbelle @ August 8 2013, 4:52 PM BSTI don't think it's that bad really, whatever blows up usually resolves itself fairly quickly.
What I would say though is we could do with some sort of 'rating' button, being the lazy sods some of us are, those who don't have the time or inclination to give a detailed critique could click a box to give a score. Sometimes Critique feels too 'quiet' which is the worst thing really, peoples hard work just gets lost in the haze never to be seen again once the page is full...don't know how hard it would be to set up an 'index page' of some sort where sketches etc could be found again and where we could see their rating, might be a useful resource to see writers progress as time goes by.
Yeah but who gives a toss about what anonymous twats think on the inter web.. I mean really?? Or on TV come to that 
Quote: Jennie @ August 8 2013, 5:07 PM BSTYou should post here more, Horseradish. Everything you say is thoughtful and considered.
It is candyfloss though.. On the one hand this, on the other hand that and in the balance one must consider.....
Like an academic essay. I like to imagine him like a professor I had at uni. A big cuddly bear with a deep lilting voice that puts you to sleep (in a good way).
Obviously I have no idea if that is accurate.
To be fair, I don't even know if he's a he.
I think I've had enough wine.
Quote: Marc P @ August 8 2013, 10:09 PM BSTanonymous twats anonymous
It's got legs.