This little community is still quite new to me, I'm not part of a writing group and I don't have any friends who are avid writers, so the notion of critical review of others work is something I've had little practice of (save for casting a cursory eye over my step-kids' homework, something I've learnt not to be too critical of; they tend not to appreciate complete honesty). As a result I find that it doesn't come easily to me.
For those who are experts at it, and there are a few on here: is this something you find comes naturally or have you practised and developed this ability over time? Do you read everything with the same critical approach or can you read for leisure without your proof-reader's eye leading the way? I think it's a useful skill to have, and will become more so as I edit and re-draft my own work, so tips on how to improve in this would be very welcome.
Thanks,
Mark.
Thanks for your feedback. It's a skill I need to learn and I'm sure my own work can only benefit from being better at it.
I'm sure sites like this can only help and I look forward to receiving feedback on my work, when I finally get round to posting something (I have a short story that's into it's second draft, so will be ready for posting soon).
Mark.
Debashis Deb, why not put your chapter up on the 'writers' shared works' section here? What will be considered is not so much the content - and there have been pieces by writers of other nationalities there, so don't worry about that part - but the way you write it. Your ability to tell the tale in the best way possible is the important thing; after all, you may have the greatest plot ever, but you've still got to communicate it to a reader.
Being a first-time writer, you've yet to develop a thick skin - and many of us never manage it! Criticism hurts; but properly thought-out, useful criticism helps us to grow our craft. Don't be scared!
Well, I have just joined the community. While going through Mark`s query and Lorraine`s answer, I am just wondering how can I find somebody who can read one chapter and provide me some feedback. As a first-time writer I am having butterflies in my stomach before I submit it to agent. I live in Kolkata, India and my story is typically Indian with values that are more conservative and restrained in comparison to western countries. I`ll be only too glad if any body agrees to read one chapter and tell me how good or bad it is.