Monday 22 October 2012

Kitten heels, Kalm Kitties and Kritiques

What more can an Old Kitty ask for? 


Well maybe not the critiques - harsh though they were! My latest work-in-progress elicited these responses from critique partners:

"I feel detached from the action and the emotion of the story"

"from time to time sentences are very long and cumbersome"

Sigh!!

Awww but look at these sleeping beauties and my lovely sandals....

p.s. Oh I cannot lie!! Charlie and Gumtree exhausted themselves from chasing and bopping and whapping each other for hours and hours! LOL!

Have a great week everyone!

81 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Shorter sentences - you can do that!
Those cats look wiped out. Least they're getting along now.

Fuzzy Tales said...

Well, here's to peaceful co-existence, however that's achieved. :-)

As for the critiques--I don't really know what to say except not to be too discouraged. Not everyone's writing style will appeal to all.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Sorry your critique comments weren't what you were looking for. But the second one will be an easy fix for you. The first one will take a bit of work, but is definitely fixable.

Have a great week!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Well snoozing is good no matter what!

Katnip Lounge said...

Remember, write for yourself.

Tamago said...

Oh Charlie and Gumtree!! You two look SOOO exhausted from playing too hard!! Aww you sleeping beauties :-)
And the sandals look very lovely!

Anonymous said...

I read through critiques, then put them down and do not read or act upon until a few days have passed.

A necessary evil!

klahanie said...

What more can an Old Kitty ask for?

Maybe a comment from Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star, upgraded to superstar status! :)

Penny pawlitely pawforming pawsitive pawfection pawhaps.....

Go with the flow and always try to avoid the overusing of the conjunction word, "and", because using "and" too much weakens the impact and if a sentence is too long and has too much detail it leaves the reader gasping for breathe......yikes!

Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses, Penny xx

mshatch said...

looks like Gumtree is getting bigger! And I'm glad they're playing :)

Ellen Whyte said...

Oh shoot. That is depressing. But hey, at least you have people who help you fix it!

I love getting critiqued by pros but it's hard to come by. Once a year one of the magazine exec editors tars apart a piece for me and I always learn tonnes. And I'm lucky to have 2 publisher pals who are generous in their devastating remarks.

Paws up, darling! And cuddle the cat before the rewrite!

Oui Oui said...

That's a sweet sleeping kitty! We aren't sure of the justice of the critiques, but try reading some Faulkner for sentences that go on for pages and pages.

Cezar and Léia said...

A lovely and happy life there!!!
I wish you a lovely week,
purrs
Luna - WE LOVE LUNA and hugs from mammy Léia

Helena said...

Was the whapping friendly? Are Charlie and Gumtree adjusting? I hope they become best pals.

Critiques are only useful if the reader tells you what's good about your book/story and they're specific about the not-so-good parts. Otherwise, you don't know what to fix or how to fix it. Vague remarks like "I felt detached" drive me nuts. So don't get discouraged, darling Old Kitty, because all of us writers have been whapped by readers. I've been downright horsewhipped.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Old Kitty - sorry about the critique notes .. as you say Sigh!

But Charlie and Gumtree - fun to watch .. and they seem to be settling down ..

Have a great week - very thick mist and gloomy here ... cheers Hilary

Mark said...

Well at least they agreed to disagree. Or at least agreed they both needed a nap. I hope they start getting along soon. It could just be playfights right now anyway. That's negative criticism, but it is also constructive I guess. You know what to do to improve. At least they didn't tell you outright that you suck :)

Creepy Query Girl said...

oh, the sorrows of those first critiques coming in. I read, take a few days to eat ice cream and go through the stages of grief before finally digging into edits. Good luck!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Ignore the critics.. At least they are lying relativly close to each other. Progress yes MOL Hugs GJ xx

Linda Kage said...

Awww, your kitties are lovely! This is my first time to visit Ten Lives and second Chances, if you can't tell! So, hi!! *waving*

Tough critiques. The sentences shortening thing would be easy enough to fix, but really...how do you make a reader feel attached? More glue? Duct tape?

Maybe they thought you glossed over parts where they wanted to be deeper into the action and know what the character was thinking and feeling. It's hard to tell with such a general comment.

But good luck! And lots of hugs!

LTM said...

LOL! Oh, no! I was going to say, "Look how peaceful they're sleeping near each other. They're getting along now!" ... LOL! :D Oh, well.

As for those crits, well. Hmm. I guess take a breath and know that revisions only make us better~ :o) <3 ((hugs))

Adam said...

they must of been tired

Rene said...

That is great news that they are playing together!!!

Rick Watson said...

Opinions are like As...... well let's just say that everybody has one.

I love watching kittys play.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Ouch. But I get worried when my CPs DON'T tell me comments like that. (Then I feel like they're not doing their job) LOL!!!

Hannah and Lucy said...

There is an aura of peace on the scene Jenn - is Charlie worn out or has Gumtree finally met his match?!!
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Hi Charlie! I's been doin' lots of nappin' too.

Lydia Kang said...

That is good criticism, as hard as it is to hear. Good luck on revising! I know you can do it!

Bossy Betty said...

Oh! Total exhaustion after some big time fun! Yay!

Don't let those critics get you down!

Summer Ross said...

Glad to hear they are getting along. Love the picture!

I got the 'detached' comment on my recent WIP from a beta reader as well...

Marg said...

Well it sure sounds like Charlie might be enjoying that kitten and we bet the mom is too. It is fun to have a kitten around. Hope all of you have a great week.

Ellie Garratt said...

Sending you, Charlie and Gumtree a big hug. Critiques can be brutal but are worth having. One of my first critiques asked whether I might be better off writing for young children. It was a horror story. Obviously not horrific enough!

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

soooo glad they are getting along so well! That makes me smile! xoxoxo

LynNerdKelley said...

Those kind of comments are the reason we have our wonderful critique partners. I get them, too!

Sounds like Charlie and Gumtree are good friends now. It's good for Charlie to have a playmate to keep him active!

Patsy said...

Aaaw, your kitties look so peaceful and innocent like that - hope they didn't cause too much mayhem tiring each other out.

Hart Johnson said...

Oh, man--sorry about the critiques! They would be unbearable if they didn't make us better, eh?

Marilia said...

Have a great week too!

Teresa Ashby said...

Well those critiques definitely don't apply to your lovely blog!
The sleeping ones certainly are beauties xx

William Kendall said...

Sometimes you can't satisfy the critique partners....

Have they been overturning scatter rugs yet while running about?

Jemi Fraser said...

Sounds like the kitties are getting used to each other! Love it :)

Those crits are usually the most helpful - but they're hard when you get them!! Good luck - I'm sure you'll have it sparkling in no time! :)

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

one can not be stressed watching a kitty sleep..

or so I keep reminding myself

Kat said...

Awww! What a cute picture :)Have a great week friends! xx

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

That sounds very promising.
No more hissing???
Hello you two handsome kitties.

purrs
>^,,^<
✿•*¨`*•. ♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥✿•*¨`*•.

Anonymous said...

I always feel the sting of critiques, but let them settle before I fix things.

My cats tire each other out at night. It's peaceful when they finally sleep.

Carol Kilgore said...

It's so cool Charlie has another cat to play with :)

Critiques can sometimes take the wind out of your sails, but it comes back in a day or so. You'll figure out what to do.

Especially with those hot shoes!

Julia Hones said...

There is nothing wring with long sentences... if they say that they haven't read enough.

m.q said...

beautiful Charlie and Gumtree
happy day guys.

Golden Eagle said...

Sounds like Charlie and Gumtree are getting along better. :)

meowmeowmans said...

We're glad to read (and see!) that the kittehs are giving you some relief from those critiques. :)

Guy Saville said...

KKK?

Or more a case of KKKK? :o)

fairyhedgehog said...

They're so pretty! Those are two very lucky kitties.

Anonymous said...

Sorry the critiques were depressing. I've had some like that too. I'm sure the rest was brill though.

So glad your kitties are enjoying one another's company. Fabulous!

Jackee said...

Yay! New life to old kitties with young ones around. :o) I'm glad they are getting used to one another.

And those crits: totally things you can fix. Not like being told characters are a mess or no voice or story. YOU CAN DO IT! :o)

xo

GLOGIRLY said...

Trish is right...
write for yourself. That's the best way to keep it fun and joyful. : )

xo

Romance Book Haven said...

Shorter sentences make more of an impact. Go for it!

Cute Kitties!

Nas

Debbie Coope said...

The main thing is you're writing and putting your work out there. You can't please everyone, and who cares, as long as you're happy with your piece.

Kitty power!

Soggibottom said...

Every one is happy whacking each other.... Don't be hard on yourself. ... you have my vote every time....
Shorter sentences ?
nutters :-) Ah, that should be a cap and well, why say one word when you mean at least a whole three or more sentences :-)
Lots of love young Charlie, be kind :-) x x x

Pasha's Mommy said...

AWWW!!!! Charlie, that little monster wore you out! That is too cute :) ♥♥

Betsy Brock said...

aw...glad they are getting along. So fun to see the bond form. I love it!

Small minds...short sentences. 'nough said. lol...

Stina said...

Gumdrop and Charlie look like they passed out from the shock of your critique. :D

Theresa Milstein said...

I hope it's happy bopping and whopping!

Oh, I'm sorry about your critique. I just got a harsh rejection. Too bad we can't commiserate together--go get a drink or something. You're brilliant, so I know you'll get it right. And what do they know, anyway?

; )

Ramblingon said...

I LAUGHED! Mommy did that is because her sentences are always long and cumbersome and many times there is far too much convolution and wandering about in the sentences that are involved. :-)

Talli Roland said...

Every critique makes your story that much stronger... at least that's what I try to tell myself. :)

Al said...

at least exhaustion is quiet!

Norma said...

Consider what others suggest...but in the end, trust your own instincts!

Anonymous said...

There's nothing that will happen that cats can't soothe....

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Colehaus Cats said...

Boy, oh boy, who was whapping on who? Or should that be whom on whom? Purrs...

Luna said...

Ouch! Sorry about the critiques. It's never easy, but I'm sure it gets better with time. Let's hope! ((hugs))

So happy to hear Charlie and Gumtree are getting along so well!

Jay Paoloni said...

Critiques are necessary to perfect your work, but I guess the same friends who critiqued you over long sentences would critique Marcel Proust too!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It's good to see that Gumtree and Charlie have made peace..at least for most of the time! Keep writing and stay happy..nothing else matters in the long run.

Jayne said...

As long as you trust your critics, all critiques help... eventually. :)

And I love the pic of Charlie and Gumtree (Gummy?!) All that 'bonding' is knackering!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I'm glad the kitties had a good day with play . . .I think you should treat yourself to some fun after the harsh critique session . . those are exhausting too.
Your story is unique to you, and so is your writing. Short sentences can give a piece gusto, but not every piece needs that.
Keep dreaming, keep writing, and love on those kitties!

Ann Boyajian said...

Glad to hear Charlie and Gummie are whacking each other. Now you just need to whack aside that critique and keep writing.

Maria McKenzie said...

Take the advice, but don't let it change your story. Love those sandals;). Sounds like Charlie and Gumtree rather like each other!

LynNerdKelley said...

Back again to say hello to one of my favorite peeps. Your comments always make me smile!

KarenMcG said...

Oh how big you are/look, Charlie, all stretched out there.

We're glad to hear you and Gumtree are having such a good time.

Well, Old Kitty, that's a bummer about your writing works. We've always enjoyed you write.

Donna said...

Hugs for u. (((Hugs))). :)

Patsy said...

Kitty, there's an award for you over on my blog.

wildcatwoods said...

Glad the kits are enjoying each other! Having a youngster around will keep Charlie young!

cats of wildcat woods

Esme said...

they look whipped.

Simon Kewin said...

Fear not! That can all be sorted out with a bit of editing, right?