Comments on: Critique–"If You Can't Stand the Heat, then Get Out of the Kitchen" https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/ Author, Blogger, Social Media Jedi Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:38:07 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.8 By: Author Kristen Lamb https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-470 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 17:38:07 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-470 In reply to Ron Seybold.

I led and moderated the group and “gutting” is a relative term. Some writers believe they have been filleted if you don’t tell them every word is unicorn glitter, LOL. No worries. Great to meet you. I quit attending writing groups namely due to having a baby and when I became published my workload increased.

]]> By: Ron Seybold https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-469 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 15:07:12 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-469 In reply to Author Kristen Lamb.

Sorry, I was confused. (I got to this five-year-old post via a WordPress “related posts” link.) I thought you were leading a group where gutting was important. Are you in a group now that’s moderated? I was in a writing group once that was group-moderated, that’s to say, none to speak of. It got a little Lord of the Flies in there. I just want to leave a writing workshop group session feeling like I know more about my story, both sides of it — and I’ve seen some gutted writers who produce less after a meeting. Learning >< gutting.

]]> By: Author Kristen Lamb https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-468 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:58:07 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-468 In reply to Ron Seybold.

This is an old post, but I NEVER give any critique that I don’t also 1) give a way to reap and make better or 2) be cognizant to point out what a writer did well. I left the group because frankly, they were too thin-skinned. Every time it wasn’t fluff and glitter, it was regarded as a machete. We can’t grow in a place that just wants pats on the back.

]]> By: Ron Seybold https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-467 Sun, 17 Aug 2014 03:14:04 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-467 “Are we brutal? Absolutely. It is like Chef Ramsay gutting you every single Saturday, thus is not the right group for every writer.” I don’t think getting utility from being gutted — or doing the gutting — is necessarily the metier of every pro. Is there praise to balance the other response? Gotta have both. If we don’t know what we’re good at, what business do we have seeking what we need to improve? Who moderates? I run response groups in Austin. No gutting, but honest response. Several books published among members. Me, I gut when I go fishing. But Boot Camp is what some writers seek. Lots of good advice here, but the debate over professional writing and the need to slash continues.

]]> By: Erattytraunse https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-466 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:36:16 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-466 I highly enjoyed reading this article, keep on posting such interesting articles!

]]> By: A Good Gritique Group Will Tell You, “You Have an Ugly Baby” « Warriorwriters's Blog https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-465 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:22:19 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-465 […] Most babies are not ugly. However, there are some you want to feed with a slingshot. Many people write beautifully. Others need help whether they know it or not. Writers who join critique groups should not go to be coddled. They have friends and family for that. They should go to be challenged and pushed. The good critique group is like a refiner’s fire. They challenge without condemning. They burn out the dross to help produce a work that is publishable and something the reader wants to say, “You have got to read this!” If you’re interested in more, check out Kristen Lamb’s (my wonderful Warrior Writer Boot Camp D.I./ President), blog “Critique- If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Kitchen” at http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-t… […]

]]> By: Jane Smith https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-464 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:19:02 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-464 This is a great post. I’ll be linking back to it from my blog soon, I can tell. Thank you!

]]> By: warriorwriters https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-463 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:49:04 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-463 In reply to Sunday Wash-Up 16th August « Shack's Comings and Goings.

Thank you so much for the plug. And you are so correct. It is absolutely vital that writers learn to take critique well (even the bad critique). We have to remember that everyone has an opinion…including readers. We don’t always agree, but is wise to at least listen. Thank you, Andy, again!

]]> By: Sunday Wash-Up 16th August « Shack's Comings and Goings https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-462 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:05:19 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-462 […] Critique–”If You Can’t Stand the Heat, then Get Out of the Kitchen” If we are blind to what we don’t know then no matter how many word we write then we will keep repeating the same mistakes. So we all need critiques of our work. Trouble is can we take it? […]

]]> By: warriorwriters https://authorkristenlamb.com/2009/08/critique-if-you-cant-stand-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen/#comment-461 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:25:23 +0000 http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/?p=78#comment-461 In reply to Kathy Fawcett.

Like any statistical analysis, the more data you have the more accurate the picture. And remember that all critique is useful, but not all critique is valuable. It is common sense that you pay heed to the commonalities. If three people are confused in a certain section…then rework. If one is confused? Take a look but that person could just be having a bad day. I recommend you read an earlier blog in this series, “Kill the Little Darlings, They’re Rigged!” It will help you weed through your feedback. And get as many beta readers as you can. There is no set number I am aware of, but the more information, the better. Happy writing, and thanks for the feedback!

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