Laziness and Writing Don't Mix

[rusty_armour]

I just heard back from a writer who asked me to give her feedback on her story. As she asked me to be honest, it seemed only fair to express my concerns over certain, uh, problems I had with her story. Maybe I nitpicked a little more than I should have about character consistency and historical accuracy, but these things are important in fic (despite what this writer believes), especially when it comes to a Robin of Sherwood story. I did try to be diplomatic and even provided some positive comments. However, in the end, I might as well have been talking to a wall. A very thick concrete wall with no cracks of any kind whatsoever. While she said that my comments gave her a "heavy heart," she announced that she had no intention of making any changes to her story even though she knew there were mistakes. She felt that I should accept the mistakes because they were a part of the story and, thus, a part of her. Or some such bullsh*t.

The sad thing is that I could understand where she was coming from -- at least in part. I used to hate the idea of anyone changing a word of what I'd written. However, if you're in any way serious about writing, you have to get over yourself and just learn to take criticism. It may hurt but it will help you in the end. You also have to accept that writing means work. Laziness does not a good story make.

If there's one thing I can't abide in a writer it's laziness. I can forgive mistakes because most mistakes are unintentional (even the ones that could have been prevented with good old-fashioned research). What I can't accept is a writer who won't try to fix these same mistakes or address other problems. If you wish to grow and evolve as a writer, you have to be willing to face these issues. You have to be willing to make changes and improve on what you've written. If you can't be bothered to put in the work then I don't see why I should have to read your story or provide comments.

The ironic thing is that while I'm ranting about lazy writers in my LJ, I'm supposed to be working on my own fic. And have I worked on it at all tonight? No, of course not. So when it comes to lazy writers, I know of what I speak! *g*

Comments

[smithereen.livejournal.com]

She felt that I should accept the mistakes because they were a part of the story and, thus, a part of her.

That's such crap. The story doesn't spring fully formed and mistake free from your head. That just does NOT happen. Writing is a process. And the real meat of the process is in revision. You have to revise, and you have to be ruthless with yourself, and you have to be willing to keep your eyes open and to cut DEEP, if you actually care about producing the best writing you can. But clearly this person doesn't care about that. And not everyone who writes does - people write for different reasons. (And I do think that appreciation for revision and the ability to really use it comes from experience.) But I personally think it's disrespectful to the reader to knowingly leave mistakes in like that.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're absolutely right. Writing is a process and that process includes revision. I believe strongly in revision as it's virtually impossible to write a perfect first draft. It's a hard lesson to learn, but you do have to cut DEEP and be willing to be ruthless with yourself. If something isn't working, it should go -- now matter how attached you are to it.

I think you bring up a good point when you say that the ability to revise and appreciate revision is something that comes with experience. It can be a pretty tough concept for beginners to grasp. I know I struggled with it myself. However, if someone points out mistakes in your work, it really is in your best interest to correct them if possible. As you say, it's disrespectful to a reader to leave mistakes in if they can be fixed.

[smithereen.livejournal.com]

It can be a pretty tough concept for beginners to grasp. I know I struggled with it myself.

Oh, me too. I mean it took years for me to understand that revision didn't mean surface edits and polishing details. I used to think that once you had a completed draft most of your work was done. And you know... sometimes it is. But especially when you're writing a longer length, having a first draft is really just the first step. I think a lot of the difference between okay or good writing and great writing is the ability to see that even if you have something that works okay and gets from point A to point B, there may be a way to take it apart and make it work even better. But it does require three times as much work to take something apart and put it back together than to just go with your first instinctive draft so you do have to really want to improve to go there.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, me too. I mean it took years for me to understand that revision didn't mean surface edits and polishing details. I used to think that once you had a completed draft most of your work was done.

Yep. That was pretty much my attitude too. I couldn't understand why a story would need anything beyond polishing and surface edits when it was "finished". What do you mean you expect me to do more work on it? *g*

I think a lot of the difference between okay or good writing and great writing is the ability to see that even if you have something that works okay and gets from point A to point B, there may be a way to take it apart and make it work even better.

I think you've hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head. That's the perfect definition of great writing. :-)

But it does require three times as much work to take something apart and put it back together than to just go with your first instinctive draft so you do have to really want to improve to go there.

Yes, that's the one major drawback. It does take time and a lot of discipline. As you say, you really do have to want to improve to take it to that level, especially if you're pretty much satisfied with the first draft. To be honest, I'm usually not satisfied and can always find something that needs to be re-worked.

[teyla]

Ugh, people like that make me want to climb walls. They ask you to go over their fic; you sit down, work your way through - and if it's a fic that still needs a lot of work, well, then the beta is a lot of work, too - only to have them tell you thanks, but no thanks, I dind't want concrit, I only wanted you to tell me what a frikking awesome fic I'd written.

Doh. That I could have written in a comment. Wouldn't have needed to do the beta. Why exactly should I waste my time again?

If people don't want a beta, they shouldn't get one. Is what I say ^^.

And you're not a lazy writer. You may not be the quickest writer, but I remember that your fic was always among the best researched, and hardly contained mistakes - spelling mistakes or other mistakes. Which fandom are you writing in at the moment?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thankfully, I hadn't reached the editing stage. I was just giving it an initial read through to let her know what I thought of the story. However, I still spent time reading and writing comments -- time I could have spent on my own fic. And, yes, I've been in the position (only a couple of times thank Herne) of doing a full blown beta only to have the writer freak out and refuse to accept the edit. I think you're probably right about this being a writer who wanted to hear how frickin' awesome her fic was and didn't really want concrit.
And you're not a lazy writer. You may not be the quickest writer, but I remember that your fic was always among the best researched, and hardly contained mistakes - spelling mistakes or other mistakes. Which fandom are you writing in at the moment?

Thanks for saying that. Well, I may not be lazy, but I'm definitely sloooow. I think I must be one of the slooooowest fic writers around! *g*

Which fandom are you writing in at the moment?

I'm working on a fic for Stargate Atlantis. It's an AU WIP that I've been posting in installments on my LJ. I'm not sure if it's really your thing, but here's the link (http://rusty-armour.livejournal.com/8022.html) if you're feeling bored, curious, or have lost the will to live. *g* I'm hoping to post the fifth installment in the next couple of weeks. My current goal is to finish the rough draft over the weekend -- early next week at the latest.

[teyla]

Ohh, I remember seeing that one - McShep and Beckett in some other pairing, right? I didn't read it because as a general rule I don't read WIPs, but I had it marked for reading as soon as it's done :).

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I don't blame you for waiting until it's done. I usually avoid reading WIPs myself, unless a lot of parts have been posted and it looks like the writer updates fairly frequently. I really should have waited until I finished the story before posting it, but I knew it was going to be long (It's already over 50 pages) and was too impatient to wait. In a way it has worked out because the positive response I've received has convinced me to keep at it. Now, if I could just find a way to write faster...

Absolutely

[jackycomelately.livejournal.com]

I've always remembered that quote that in writing you should always "murder your darlings." Not in relation to characters but to the prose itself.

Re: Absolutely

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I can't remember where it's from, but I've heard it too. It's really good advice, though it's sometimes hard to follow. I've managed to become more ruthless with my prose over the years, but it's still a struggle if it's something I'm attached to. However, if said "darling" is bogging down a scene (or whatever) then it has to go.

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Well said! I'm afraid I don't give feedback to people these days. Most of them really don't want to hear it. Especially, as you say, if it might involve WORK. *sigh*

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

That's a shame as there are writers who appreciate constructive criticism and are grateful to receive feedback of any kind. Still, I don't blame you for not giving feedback. My rule of thumb is to give feedback when I really like a story. Otherwise, I keep my mouth shut unless a writer specifically asks for a beta and/or critique. Even then you can run into writers who only accept praise.

[espirk.livejournal.com]

You did the right thing. Personally, I prefer honesty over someone stroking my ego pointlessly. Why did the writer bother to ask you for a *beta* if she wasn't prepared to make changes to her story? Pointless. I am a perfectionist, and I totally understand how you feel so bothered when someone makes any changes to your work. But I have learned that the only way to grow in *anything* is to acknowledge your mistakes/misinterpretations and follow through on trying to change it.

I think you showed the writer much respect by being honest!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you agree. As the writer asked me to be honest, I felt it was only fair to be straight with her. I can understand why the comments were hard to read. I can even understand if she felt some anger and resentment towards me. I've sometimes taken a day or two to digest "constructive criticism" before I can accept what a beta's had to say. However, this writer seemed willing to acknowledge that there were problems with her story. She just wasn't willing to do anything about them. I think that's what I've been struggling with.

You're absolutely right about what it takes to grow in any area. You have to acknowledge your mistakes and try to learn from them. You can't improve in something if you don't try to go beyond what you already know.

This will sound a little biased coming from me, but you bring up a good point about constructive criticism being a sign of respect. It's much easier to fake a compliment and write a few words of praise. It takes time and effort to go through a story and highlight areas that need to be fixed or changed. It requires a certain level of commitment on the beta's part. Usually, I only do it myself if a writer requests it -- even then my level of commitment will often depend on how much potential I see in a writer and/or story.