It was a sci-fi comedy during the Guttenberg era—a cheesy
story about a sentient robot named Johnny 5. Let me tell you something: I love that film. Like, wore-out-my-VHS-and-had-to-buy-it-on-DVD love it. I'm pretty sure it's responsible for the way I handle feedback:
Whenever I get a critique back, I go into scan mode. I skim the
pages until I get a general idea of how the person felt, and then go back for
the details. It's addicting. Have you ever noticed that? For a
few minutes, you get to see your story through someone else’s
eyes. Detached, unbiased. Mmm...
After I take notes (and before I make any serious revisions), I seek out another perspective. “More
input!” as Johnny would say. The more opinions I get, the easier it is for
me to see where they overlap. That’s what I hone in on.
It’s like one of my rock star CPs, Lisa Regan, said in
her last post:
“If you've gotten multiple critiques and all of them are [negative/discouraging],
then it's you. But if you've gotten 4 or more critiques and this is the
only one that is like that, then you probably have nothing to worry about.
Here's why.
Not everyone gets it.”
My magic number for Strength
was ten. Seven critters (CPs) and three betas. That’s how much feedback it took
for me to feel comfortable sending my brave little MS into the world. If you’re
not comfy yet, you might consider channeling your inner-robot. ;)
► I'm curious... ◄
1) How many CPs/betas do you typically use?
2) What's your favorite '80s movie?
3) Did you see the supermoon this weekend? :D
2) What's your favorite '80s movie?
3) Did you see the supermoon this weekend? :D
Have a great week, guys! ♥
Number 5 is alive!
Oh wow, I haven't seen Short Circuit in years, I loved that movie!
ReplyDeleteCurrently I have 3 CPs, but this is my first book, so I don't know how many I should have lol!
It's a classic, if you ask me. ;)
DeleteHey, whatever makes you feel comfortable! You don't have to have them all at once, either. Work on your revisions, and then see if you want more input. :)
Not everyone gets it applies to those who read your book as well!
ReplyDeleteI have three critique partners and two test readers and that seems to work for me.
Favorite 80's film - Aliens!
Good point, Alex! Glad you've found a system that works. :)
DeleteOo, was that the one with Sigourney Weaver?
#5 is alive! I loved that movie back in the day. I have lots of CPs, as in around 10, but they don't all read my entire book(s). I agree about looking for overlap.
ReplyDeleteFavorite 80's film, E.T.
Heck yeah! Sounds like you've assembled quite the team, Shell. :D
DeleteOo, good choice!
I have 3 CPs and 2 beta-readers, plus 2 readers who doesn't understand about writing, but love to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if this set-up is the best or not, but it's working so far.
Hey, as long as it works! :D I had a few non-writers read my book, too. I mean, they'll be the ones reading it, right?
DeleteI have two crit. groups. Once with 4 other people and one with 5. :)
ReplyDeletethen my mom and my sisters insist on reading whatever I've finished. :)
Oo, do you have group discussions about certain parts of your novel? I bet that would be helpful! :)
DeleteMy sister reads my stuff, too. She's my alpha reader! :)
I think I had about 12 CPs total & maybe 6 betas. Only 1 CP didn't get it. The others all had similar statements. It can be a difficult process but I hope it's better prepared me for publication. I'm gonna have to learn how to take a tough review.
ReplyDeleteI remember that flick though I never saw it myself. And yeah, I saw that super moon & it was super...huge & bright!
(Thanks for being one my awesome CPs!)
Wow. You have a reading/critiquing army! If that doesn't prepare you for publication, I don't know what will. :)
DeleteYou should see it! It's a fun movie. :D As for the supermoon, I agree. It was like a giant spotlight!
Thanks to you, too! :)
Thanks, Carrie, for joining my blog (I only post there every 2 months). Only two people read my manuscript from start to end and their comments about the storyline and editing were very useful. My storyline is not complex to understand, so evrery reader gets it. It's great that you have 10 people reading your writings. What's the difference between CP and Betta readers?
ReplyDeleteNo problem, Giora! Thanks for joining mine, too. :) For me, the difference between a CP and a beta is this:
Delete- My CPs typically offer a more in-depth assessment, focusing on their own writing strengths.
- My betas generally read through the story, and then offer an overall reaction.
Kind of a micro/macro deal. I hope this helps! :)
You know, as soon as I saw the title of your post in my feed I knew it was Short Circuit. I have it on DVD. And Flight of the Navigator, The Goonies, The Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal and Never Ending Story. My kids will have a film education in real movies! And that's not to mention the DVDs I have of 80s tv shows. (It's probably a little bit sad really!)
ReplyDeleteWow! I only have four words for you:
DeleteParty. At. Your. House. :D
Great post Carrie and I LOVE THAT MOVIE. I haven't thought about it for so long! LOL, it used to be one of my go-to's when I was a kid:) So, I think you're 100% right that this varies from writer to writer. Everyone has to feel comfortable moving forward with their MS but getting there is different for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lindsay! I didn't think it was possible for you to get cooler, but it just happened. *Grins*
DeleteAbsolutely! :)
Love this post!!! That movie was so cute. I'd have to say my fave, though, is Sixteen Candles!
ReplyDeleteAs for crits. I usually get 2 beta readers and 2 actual crits before I start "sending out" the MS for editor consideration. :)
I did see the super moon this weekend. Beautiful!
Thanks, Lynn! Oh, that's a great choice. I loved Sixteen Candles!
DeleteFour must be your magic number. It seems to be working for you! :)
Very! I wish it happened more often. :D
I don't think I ever saw that movie. I was more into E.T. (Oops. Showing my age.) :P
ReplyDeleteI had 4 CPs for my first ms -- 2 guys, 2 girls. 2 got it, 1 didn't, and 1 hasn't finished critting it yet. I haven't gotten to the stage of approaching betas yet.
Part of my problem is that my writing has been improving so drastically over the last year, that now I want to go back and revise before seeking anymore opinions. And with my new ms, I might try beta first for broader issues, then move to crits. Hmmm. Dunno. Anyhow, great post! :)
PS - I saw the supper moon through the atrium ceiling of the hospital. I was at work. I would've forgotten about it, except someone said, 'Hey. Look how big the moon is.' :P
DeleteHah! I used to carry around a stuffed E.T. :D
DeleteYou still have a crit out for AHM? Wow. Well, I hope you receive some feedback from that fourth critter soon. Maybe a beta reader can go through that MS while you work on the others. :)
Thank you!
Hiya. I don't usually use CPs. I like to write without the audience first, but I use betas. Last project had...5 betas, not including my agents - jr. and sr. - in which I went through three rounds of revisions.
ReplyDeleteHmm... favorite 80s movie. So many, but I think I have to go with Labyrinth.
No! I didn't see the super moon. I forgot all about it. :(
Oo, I like how you put that, Tina! Writing without an audience sounds fun, like a dress rehearsal for a play. :D
DeleteThat was the Jim Henson/George Lucas movie, right? I never got around to seeing it. Maybe now's the time...
Bummer! This is what it looked like from Ohio. :)
You just have to hope that the Crit partners don't dis-assemble your work.
ReplyDeleteI loved that film too. My faves of that era are The Blues Brothers, Ghost Busters, and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.
I have 3 Crit partners at present :o)
"No diassemble!"
DeleteHah! Great reference, Iain. You have excellent taste in movies. :D
Up to three already? Nice!
I love my CP's! I have 2 that I run things by then about 6 that I use for more feedback. The more, the better!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Empress King! :D
DeleteHoly cow I just realized the robot in this movie is Wall-E. o.O
ReplyDeleteMy betas vary by project. I'll have around 5-6 for this latest one. The next one will need a lot more. :)
I've never seen Wall-E. I may have to now. ;)
DeleteWoohoo for betas!
I'd totally forgotten Short Circuit! Have to see if I can order from Netflix.
ReplyDeleteI think we handle criticism about the same way. Read through-I usually walk away after that, but return for the deets later. Have to pay attention to what others say, assimilate it and decide how to use it. BIG job.
I hope they have it!
DeleteAbsolutely. One of the most important parts of the process, if you ask me. :)
I had eight CPs/Betas for my last manuscript when I felt it was okay to send it out. Totally agree with your philosophy. It everyone agrees there's an issue with something in your MS, there's probably something you should fix. Just one, then you probably don't need to worry.
ReplyDeleteEight sounds like a good number to me. :) You bet!
DeleteSome of us watched a showing of Short Circuit at the recent Norwescon convention in Seattle. I must say, it had too much swearing for a movie that would obviously attract children, but I thoroughly enjoyed a scene I remembered from years ago. Let's just say it's an homage to The Three Stooges.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun!
DeleteAh, yeah. The language is a bit edgy at times. Thankfully, scenes like that help buffer it. :)
hahaha I love this post - for my latest MS I've only had one person not get it and it was, unfortunately, the very first person who ever laid eyes on it. Yikes! Luckily I waited for two more.
ReplyDeleteI have so many people reading this draft compared to my previous pieces that it feels like I'm revising by committee :P
Thanks, Sophia!
DeleteOuch! That had to have been a hard crit to process, right off the bat. I'm glad you waited for more. :)
Hah! That made me picture you passing copies of your manuscript around a boardroom. ;)
I have the one CP, but I plan on having quite a few betas! And that clip made me lawl!
ReplyDeleteGood call! Betas are important. :) Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteAh! Bloggers ate my comment. Abbreviated version: I have three beta readers. :)
ReplyDeleteDarn that Blogger! It gets into too much mischief when left unsupervised. ;)
DeleteThree seems to work really well for you!
Very true! There problem rests when the writer receives nothing but constructive criticism, but then chalks it up to "no one gets my genius."
ReplyDeleteExactly! :)
DeleteMy best friend brought over her telescope and we looked at the moon with that. I didn't really understand the need for it, but it made her happy.
ReplyDeleteI currently have two critique partners. I was working with a potential one but she seems to have disappeared...
Sounds fun, though! I wish I knew someone with a telescope. :)
DeleteAww, don't you just hate that?
I find that everyone finds something different. I love it. The more the merrier :)
ReplyDeleteHear, hear! :)
DeleteCarrie, you're so brilliant! And I absolutely LOVE that movie! Oh-man, those were the days!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the input and love the quote from CP's blog. I totally agree. I am building my list of partners because I think 8-10 would be awesome. Right now I have 6 but a few more that are waiting for me to send stuff! :) The more input the better! GO JOHNNY 5!
Thanks, Leigh! I KNEW we were friends for a reason. You have excellent taste in movies! :D
DeleteOo, good call. I hope your CPs work out for you! :) Johnny 5 is alive!
This is probably another reason youre such a good writer (IMO) they way you handle input so gracefully... its not that i dont like input... i actually dont like seeing my story through someones eyes... its nice to see someone actually reads somethin i wrote but its kind of embarassing at the same time... i feel like someone is in my mind @_@
ReplyDeleteAww... thanks, Justin!
DeleteDon't worry. That feeling fades with time. The need to share your story overpowers it. ;)