Comments on: Live (Critiquing) on Saturday Night…

By: Carol Berg

Carol Berg — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:41:59 +0000

The sponsoring organization is an active, serious group with lots of experience and depth. It was definitely a fun and different kind of event. Not quite so intimidating for the readers as doing editor/agent readings at a writers conference (and certainly less expensive than attending said conference!) The audience really enjoyed it, and the readers seemed to appreciate the feedback.

As for the “listening”: It helped a lot that the reading was so short - not much more than a page and a half. Enough to get an idea, but not so much to keep in mind. It was very interesting to see what struck each of us. Sometimes it was as small as single words that jumped out. Sometimes it was characters that did (or did not) click.

I would never attempt this as a solo judge. Having three of us - two authors and one small press editor - meant that we could offer more. We often had very different things to say - though when it came to overall rating we were in near perfect agreement. I think it was educational that we were not in lockstep. And if you just missed a big point (like I did on one - “oh, she was dying!” - you could recover gracefully!

Carol

By: Wenamun

Wenamun — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:52:42 +0000

Ditto Kate & Lois about the need for printed pages, but this does sound like it would be fun. And a challenge, having to think on one’s feet (as a “judge”).

By: Kate Elliott

Kate Elliott — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:01:41 +0000

I think is a really clever idea. Like Lois, I’m not good at absorbing read aloud stuff, but I think many people are, and this is a great way to get at some basic problems. Also - it sounds fun (as long as there is no snarky judge to take egregious potshots).

And I figure anything to make writing and reading seem more fun is good.

By: M.T.

M.T. — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:27:44 +0000

I applaud them as well. It’s something I would have never been able to do.

By: Carol Berg

Carol Berg — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 05:40:54 +0000

The first time I ever did an event like this, I had pages, and that does make it somewhat easier. But the readers were careful to articulate - that was part of their presentation. It worked much better than I imagined, though requiring much concentration. The three of us agreed that we couldn’t have done more than the 18 we heard.

And you’re right, Charles, it really helps any scene if you know what you want to accomplish. Seems pretty basic, but lots of people don’t think about it. Good luck with your opening.

Carol

By: Lois Tilton

Lois Tilton — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:35:17 +0000

I would never participate in such a thing, not without the work in printed form.

Most stuff read aloud is just a booming, buzzing confusion to me.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:49:59 +0000

That sounds like an exciting and unnerving experience. If I had been a participant I would certainly have brought an opening scene.

I think I am finally close to the opening I will end up with. I did have one opening for a long time, which I discarded last year. I still think I will change what I have — at least in terms of presentation, not substance. The purpose of the opening, as in what I want the reader and the initial protagonist to discover, will remain no matter what form I chose to present it. At least I’ve managed that much with the opening.

Knowing what I want it to accomplish really helps. I can leave the beginning behind until it is time for draft 2 or revision (whichever word sounds better for the rewrite).

I must say I applaud those writers who stood up in front of the panel and read an excerpt of their work. If any of them make it, theyâ€™ve already practice for store readings.