For those who have been reading my blog for a while know that me and family are fully engaged in sports. I play soccer, my boys play basketball, and my daughter even did baseball this summer. When our weekends aren't full of driving to gyms and watching a few games then we are usually out in the mountains biking, rock climbing, or hiking.
What I've found interesting over the past little bit, is that everyone has their own thing that they do. I have a friend whose life is spent putting make up on her kids, making customes and driving everywhere to watch them dance.
Others are more entrenched in the arts. They go to plays, festivals, and spend most of their time downtown and probably go out to eat a lot.
I know lots of people who have horses and they spend every weekend going to rodeos or show jumping.
Everyone spends their time differently, so it only stands to reason that we all write differently. That's the one thing that I've learned while critiquing. No one quite writes like you do, nor should they. When I first started reading others work, I found it difficult not to instill my way of writing on them. I failed a few times, but through doing it more I've think I've gotten better at not doing that. In the end we have to let people discover their own way and just try to help them find it.
Side note: I want to thank everyone who has let me read their words and comment on them. I have learned a lot about critiquing. I have not always been right. I have not always caught things that could make it better, but once in a while I think I help.
11 comments:
I love how every writer has their own style! We were a ballet and music family growing up. :)
This is so true. I love to eat out. I love red vines. I like reality tv. Our family has things we do that other families don't. Writing styles are the same.
It is so hard to keep style differences in check, especially when critiquing. Thanks for this post.
You’ve hit on one of my joining a crit group fears. My passions have changed I use to be a rock climbing, white water rafting, backpacking, sailing gal now I’m a museum nut. I’ve always loved hiking though and still do it whenever I get a chance.
I so agree! It is hard not to insert my own words. And I also agree on the doing things differently. Each person/family does things in their own way, and that's okay. =)
This is so true! Thanks for the reminder.
You so help, Patti! Thank you for reading for me. This post is so true. I've struggled with the same thing. We all write differently. I hope I've gotten better at the whole crit thing myself.
Patti, you are officially an awesome beta reader. I think when people discover this they've reached the awesome level. Because it's so true, when we first start out we think our way is the best so why shouldn't everyone write like us. That was so me. It took me awhile to realize I didn't have to do that. :)
This was such a fantastic topic. It is important to remember that no one writes like you and I think that phrase will help me better understand my critique partner. I give my views to help them think differently, from a readers perspective but if at the end of the day they still like their way better they should stick with it.
They after all have their own voice!!
Happy Tuesday!
Hey, you're one smart cookie! I read how you unraveled that mystery at Lotus's place.
Glad you won.
Patti
Yes, it's funny how people view different scenes, too. It's really cool when you think about it. :)
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