Monday, June 27, 2011

GL, SyFy's SS, and Awesome Guest on Critiquing!

Before I unleash my awesome guest, I need to give you a movie update.

Green Lantern – It was fun! Glad I went. Dialogue was a bit cheesy at times, but hey – it’s a comic book. The film wasn’t Shakespeare, but thank God it wasn’t Catwoman, either. So while it wasn’t the perfection of either of Nolan’s Batman films, I still had a good time.

Swamp Shark – Entertainment Weekly gave it an F. Can’t imagine why. Oh wait, that’s because it SUCKED! At least Sharktopus was cheesy bad fun. I suffered through long enough to give you a short play-by-play this coming Friday. I better get some Hot Tamales for my effort…

Now to my awesome guest, Rusty Webb!


Rusty’s blog is The Blutonian Death Egg and he’s one of my amazing critique partners. The dude also has a great sense of humor. His critique comments are snarky, random, and sometimes go off on wild tangents – and fused with humor, they’re perfect! I couldn’t ask for a better critique partner.

I asked Rusty to share his thoughts on critiques…

Alex, the nicest guy on the internet, gave me the opportunity to talk for a few minutes about the art of critique. Funny that he would ask me, since the notes I sent to him after reading his most excellent sequel to CassaStar were rants about why I think Stargate ruined the SciFi (SyFy) channel and attempts to draw him into a debate about the physics of a fictional energy source. But ask me he did, and if there is anything I've learned in life, it’s to never turn down an opportunity, even if it’ll only serve to expose me as a fraud.


Once, earlier in my life, after much blood and pain, tears and heartache, I produced the greatest piece of written fiction the world had ever known. Still aglow with the glory of my achievement, I delivered it by hand to a friend to read and sat back to wait for the praise to come. They took a glance and said, “This is a mess.”


A piece of me died then. Right there, at that moment.


It wasn’t possible. I worked so hard, so long. How could they not see the brilliance? Did they even read it? Well, no. In fact, they said it was so bad they couldn’t get past the first page.


The first page? But the first page was awesome. Geez.


In the years since, I’ve managed to come to terms with the need for a critical eye – maybe not one so crushing as my first experience. But in the hands of someone you trust, someone who wants to help you make the story be the masterpiece you know it is, and not someone who wants to turn it into their story, or is venting because they’re frustrated by their own issues, then it doesn’t have to hurt so much.


Because here is the truth of it: Almost all the stories out there that any of us feel compelled to write are great, it’s just that sometimes the way we choose to tell the tale gets in the way. We emphasize the wrong parts, or forget to tell about why a character behaves the way he does. Writing is how we translate the story from the mind to the page – and sometimes it can lose something in the translation.


So here's to critiquing, the art of helping understand the human mind.

Rusty, if you understand Byron’s mind, you’re light years ahead of me.
Thanks, dude!

Any questions? Comments? Snarking? Thoughts on SyFy Craptastic movies?

101 comments:

Nas said...

Hi Alex,

As soon as your page opened my teen daughter saw your review of Green Lantern as it's next on her list to watch DVD. Without saying anything about your review, she said, "What was bad about Catwoman?" Teenage girls!

Thanks for the review!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Excellent reviews on the films,
Your guest made some very good observerations, Critique is very good for people, oh it's lovely to have people say good things about what you write but one do need an honest opinion I think.
Thanks for hosting him.
Yvonne.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Alex, I'm so glad you decided to give Green Lantern a shot. I told you that critics don't always get it right, didn't I? :) Sadly, I'll have to wait another 2 months to see it. Damn distributors!

Swamp Shark looked hideous, so I decided to skip it. And I'm glad I did.

Now off to Rusty's awesome blog. ;)

Jeremy [Retro] said...

wait the shark movie was a "f"er and lantern shined... the wicked witch said it best... what a world, what a world... what a world.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Nas, never underestimate the tastes of teens! But Catwoman was an awful movie.

Yvonne, thanks for reading. He's a great critique partner.

George, think I just needed a theater break that week, but glad I saw Green Lantern. Swamp Shark was just boring.

Liz P said...

Glad you liked Green Lantern. I'll probably catch it when it comes to Netflix.

I enjoyed Rusty's thoughts on critiquing and writing. Thanks for having him today. I'll be sure to check out his blog as well.

Matthew MacNish said...

Wow. Rusty is hilarious!

And there's nothing like a funny point of view to soften some harsh feedback. Well done, gents.

Yvonne Osborne said...

90pct of writing is rewriting and to help you see the than's for the then's you need a fresh pair of eyes. Thanks for the post and the blog link.

Rusty Carl said...

Wow. Thanks for the kind words - and the opportunity to contribute. I intentially skipped Green Lantern because it was so panned. Maybe I'll break down and give it a go after all.

The SyFy monster feature? That I may not ever see.

Amy said...

Great post Rusty! :)

Glad you liked Green Lantern Alex!

Alison Miller said...

Gah! Green Lantern?! *swoon* Must. See. The movie.

Great post and thanks for sharing your CP with us!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Critiquing is such a tough balance! Some writers aren't really ready for constructive criticism, if they're brand-new writers.

Thanks for the review on Green Lantern!

M.J. Fifield said...

I hear Ryan Reynolds looks great shirtless in the movie and isn't that what's really important? =)

Loved hearing Rusty's thoughts on critiques. Thank you for sharing.

mshatch said...

I caught a bit of Swamp Shark, the part where the guy just lost his stupid gf who thought she could swim to the other side (right). And then right as he's still mourning the big old swamp shark jumps out of the water and snatches him off the dock. I laughed my butt off - and switched the channel.

Christine Rains said...

Great post! I really need to get out and see Green Lantern. At least I was lucky to be sipping a milkshake instead of watching Swamp Shark. My husband and I watched Rubber the other night. It was horrible, and it had potential to be horrible in a good way, but it failed.

Li said...

I enjoyed Rusty's words of wisdom. However, I always show my writing to my Mom first, who tells me it's wonderful no matter what. (Sort of like taking a Pepcid before the all-you-can-eat taco bar.) Then I get other opinions :) Glad green lantern isn't a bust - just good summer fun. I think I'll go see it this weekend. Thanks, Alex.

Old Kitty said...

I may not understand Byron's mind but I think I know what he needs. ahem. Cold shower.

BUT SERIOUSLY!! Thank you Rusty for your measured and considerate words on the art of critiquing!!! The human mind is vast and complex and very very very strange. The bestest critique I've had was one that told me of my flaws with helpful suggestions on how to maybe change these as well as lots of praise for bits that work.

Now I want to see Green Lantern. thanks Capn Ninja!

Take care
x

Karen Lange said...

Thanks, Alex, for introducing me to Rusty. Thanks, Rusty, for your thoughts on this topic. I heartily agree. Despite the sting of critiques, I know it will help develop my writing. A bit hard (okay a lot, sometimes) to swallow, it does make us better. And better is what I want to be. Thanks a bunch!

Unknown said...

You already know I agree with you on Greenlantern, haha. I even liked it better than Wolverine, I think, which is sad because that one had such potential to be awesome.

Thanks for the introduction to Rusty. He's right about critiques needing to teach us something and help us to better tell the story we want to tell. I can see why you two are such good critique partners. :)

Have a happy Monday!

Julie Musil said...

First of all, Ryan Reynolds. *sigh* He doesn't even need to speak and I'll go see the movie.

Rusty sounds like a blast to have as a critique partner! And I love the way he reminded us we don't want our great stories to become lost in translation.

Susan Fields said...

It makes so nervous to open a file and see a CP's critique of my latest wip! But like Rusty said, we need other people to look at our work with a fresh eye and help us make the story the masterpiece it can be, so I endure them anyway. :)

Charles Gramlich said...

"swamp shark" was bad? say it ain't so.

Luanne G. Smith said...

I think you're the first to say that Green Lantern wasn't that bad. I thought the previews looked good, but no one seemed to like the movie when it came out.

Critique is hard. It's difficult to hear that we're not the geniuses we think we are. :P

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Liz, Rusty is awesome!

Matthew, you should read his critique comments - they're hilarious.

Rusty, you're welcome! And don't bother with Swamp Shark. You'll just fall asleep.

Elizabeth, I was ready to receive!

MJ, I didn't notice...

MShatch, you made a wise choice.

Christine, I was curious about Rubber. I'll avoid it now.

Kitty, I'm not sure even a cold shower would help!

Amanda, it was better than Wolverine.

Julie, hope it's all right he does talk! And Rusty is an awesome critique partner.

Susan, I was nervous, but when the critiques are laced with humor, it's almost fun.

Patricia JL said...

I like a little humor in my crits I get back, makes the red not so evil to look at. Also gets me out of my bad mood crits get me into. (Hey, I can't help it, it's hard seeing your baby ripped apart when deep down we all want to believe it's perfection.)

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great words of wisdom on critiquing. We need someone we can trust, who isn't responding with their own baggage in mind, and to accept that the writing can be "lost in translation" from brain to paper. I love that!

Unknown said...

Now I will have to go watch the Green Lantern.

I suffered the same experience with critiquing but I'm so glad I went through it because I think it made me a better writer. I still listen closely to my readers.

Tonja said...

I have a great writing partner and can't imagine writing without her. My teenaged daughter also gives great critiques - whenever I tell her it's perfect, read it now or I will take your iPod, she always finds small flaws in it that I didn't see. She is born to be an editor, a writer, or a really harsh English teacher.

Heather M. Gardner said...

Mr. Alex! Your review of Green Lantern is just what I would have expected. Fun but not award winning. And by your description I know exactly what grade it gets! I will certainly catch it when I can.
I couldn't find time to watch the Swamp Shark and now I'm glad I didn't!

Mr. Rusty! So glad to meet you. I completely agree with your assessment of losing translation from brain to paper. I remind myself all the time that the reader isn't privy to all the nooks and crannies in my head and that I need to put the good stuff in the story so they know whats going on.
Thanks for sharing your experience.

Anonymous said...

We all get by with a little help from our friends. Better to have someone close to you communicate what is wrong with a MS rather than the buying public.

And we're going to see Green Lantern. Looks like a fun flick. We saw Judy Moody and the not Bummer Summer over the weekend. It was actually a fun flick to watch.

ali cross said...

Dang. Sharktipus was that bad? It's waiting for me in my DVR . . . I'll be prepared. *zips on my anti-crap suit*

And Green Lantern?? I've heard nothing but bad reviews on this, so your review gives me some hope!

And DUDE!!! Rusty's blog is like the coolest titled blog ever. Love. It.

Also loved his assessment on critiquing. Great post all round!

Christopher Hudson said...

Thumbs up on Green Lantern, eh? Okay, I'll check it out.

As to the critique thing ... I agree that objective input can ... although, not necessarily ... improve a story. The issue I usually have is that the critiquer expects to become the critquee ... rightfully so.

Carol Kilgore said...

Good critique partners are worth more than their weight in gold.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Patricia, I knew mine wasn't perfect, so I was all right with the red.

Clarissa, it obviously made you a great critiquer as well.

Tonja, you know how to motivate a teenager!

Heather, go enjoy, and be thankful you missed the SyFy Craptastic movie.

Stephen, can I say I'm glad I'm not swayed by children when I choose my movies?

Ali, isn't it a cool blog title?

Christopher, and I look forward to reading Rusty's work, which is currently awaiting me on my iPad.

Colene Murphy said...

Awesome reviews as always! Swamp shark, eh? Will be back Friday to see that...

Ellie Garratt said...

Can I adopt Rusty? He's hilarious.

Ellie Garratt

Empty Nest Insider said...

I enjoyed the visit from Rusty! Btw, we saw Super 8 this weekend, and we really liked it! Thanks for your great review that convinced us to see it! Julie

Suze said...

'Once, earlier in my life, after much blood and pain, tears and heartache, I produced the greatest piece of written fiction the world had ever known.'

Attaboy, Rusty! That's what I like to hear!

'I delivered it by hand to a friend to read and sat back to wait for the praise to come. They took a glance and said, “This is a mess.”

A piece of me died then. Right there, at that moment.'

Death is a gateway, friend. Resurrection life is a heck of a lot more powerful than the first incarnation.

Finally, all first drafts are just drafts. They are, as someone else so aptly put, long, rambling outlines after which we cut away, flesh out and bleed a little more through the editing process. Totally natural. Just make sure, a) you come to the critiquing table equipped with tourniquet and b) you remember that your writing is a big piece of you, but it is not you.

Peace to both interviewee and host. Onward!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ellie, he hasn't mentioned that he's claimed, so ask!

Julie, glad you saw it! Best movie of the summer. So far.

Suze, I believe he's resurrected and better than ever!

Laila Knight said...

Thanks for the movie review. I'm still planning on watching Green Lantern. I loved the interview. That is so true that something gets lost in the translation from our minds to paper.

Bossy Betty said...

Great observations by Rusty! Constructive criticism is necessary, but, gee, I like it when people just ooze all over me and my greatness instead.

SharleneT said...

I only trust critiques from people I know are in the business -- everyone else is working through their own journeys and don't really understand HOW to critique! That can leave you frozen and devastated. It's a life of rejection and important to have fresh eyes see problems, as long as they don't change the story. Hard to find, unless you're a part of a group.

BTW, I loved Super 8! What a fun coming-of-age summer movie. Lots of action and all-in-all a pretty good story. Next on the list, is Green Lantern.

Unknown said...

Thanks Rusty. I've now got two crit partners and we work so well together. After a very short time we understand how each of us writes. One of the rules is that we must be blatantly honest with each other, after all, it doesn't help the writer to receive praise where it's not due.
So, thank you Alex for you suggestions on how to get my crit partners - it worked!

Alex, I've started CassaStar (at long last I've managed to put everything else to one side). I'm going to Twitter about my progress - hope that's OK :) Watch for the Tweets.
Sue

Rusty Carl said...

Wow. Alex said there would be a lot of comments, but...wow.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone who liked, or even read, my philosophizing about critiquing.

And also, thanks for everyone who's stopped by my blog and commented there as well. If I'd known I was going to have visitors I would have put up something a little more... you know, better.

Golden Eagle said...

Thanks for the review of Green Lantern!

Great post on critiquing--I still haven't had anyone critique my work. I know I probably should have someone else look at what I write, but I'm still rewriting my first novel. :P

Talli Roland said...

Glad Green Lantern was okay!

And great guest post on critiquing. Funnily enough, I've posted on something similar today.

Nicki Elson said...

Glad you enjoyed the movie, Alex. And this was a fine piece on critiquing, Rusty. Excellent point that the problem isn't usually the story itself, but the way it's being told. Writers are too close to it, which is why feedback from an objective reader (who can resist the urge to impose personal preference) is critical. And a writer who will listen with an open mind is pure gold.

M Pax said...

Aww, no campy goodness? I'm disappointed. I don't get to see the Syfy movies in the summer.

Good article on critiquing and why it's necessary, et al.

Christine Danek said...

Thanks for the reviews and wonderful thoughts from Rusty. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks.

Budd said...

Alex-it might be in your junk mail or you might have deleted it. It would be from Amazon and not from my email.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Betty, I agree!!

Sharlene, knew yo'd like it! Go enjoy Green Lantern.

Sue, glad you got some partners! And I saw your Tweet - hope you enjoy it.

Rusty, you knew the Ninja Army would turn out in droves for you.

Golden, when you're ready, I highly recommend it.

Talli, I know!

Mary, expect a play-by-play of the uncampy fun this Friday.

N. R. Williams said...

Right you are Rusty. I've been in a critique group for over 16 years. I've seen people come and go. Once, it took me an entire year of writing and submitting to learn how to catch a mistake I made every time I brought a new chapter. My critique group was so patient with me while I learned what I needed to know. I wouldn't be even close to having a publishable work without them. So here's to all critique groups everywhere.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

Jennie Bailey said...

I LIVE for SyFy Craptastic movies. And I suffered through the entire Swamp Shark experience. There is nothing I love more than the bad acting, bad dialogue and horrible effects. I can't wait until Friday to read your play by play!

We saw Super 8 finally. Loved it. Those kids were so cute! Such a great movie. Complete other end of the spectrum from the craptastic fests on SyFy!

Anonymous said...

Rusty:

I feel your pain, dude, concerning your manuscript.
LOL! Funny stuff.

Alex, thanks for allowing him to guest post. Great read!

Copyboy said...

I agree about GL. It was Geof Johns material, but then again few stuff is. Yes, I'm a comic book nerd.

Lydia Kang said...

I think we all have to have that "dying" moment with a critique so we have the humility needed to work on our craft. It's painful, but it has to happen.

Summer Ross said...

I'm very glad Lantern wasn't all bad.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Nancy, cheers!

Jennie, I think we're the only ones who watched! Glad you saw Super 8 - now that's a great movie.

Bryce, Rusty is a funny dude.

Lydia, so far I've only cringed, so hoping to avoid death.

Ricky said...

The referance to Catwoman made me laugh. Brilliant. Maybe I'll give GL a go.

Leovi said...

Rusty Webb's blog is very interesting.

Unknown said...

First, Alex I am so very glad you saw GL and had a great time.

Rusty has some great insight into the delicate art of critique and I would trust him with any work of mine. I love his blog. It's so out there, sharp and wicked cool.

Susan Oloier said...

Great post, Alex and Rusty. Now I need to find a way to round up some critique partners. The writing group I belonged to broke up a long time ago.

Jemi Fraser said...

I agree - crit buddies are worth more than their weight in gold!

Beth said...

This reminds me of my first critique experience. I was shocked to learn my ms was not as good as I thought, but I've learned a lot about revision over the year it took me to revise it.

I love what you said about most stories we choose to tell being great.
bethfred.com

Pat Tillett said...

I'd say Rusty's thoughts and observations were very good. I'm sure there is much pain in my future.
I've yet to see GL, but you know I'm going to...

Anonymous said...

I've kind of been putting off seeing Green Latern due to poor reviews... so will watch it when it comes out on DVD... I also have my eye on Sharktopus - loves those kind of crazy movies...

Abby Minard said...

I lurve my crit partners and don't know where I'd be without them. But that doesn't mean I don't cry into my pillow the night we skype-critique my section. Actually, don't think I've cried over a crit yet...I've wanted to kick a few teeth in...okay, no, not that extreme. What if my crit gals read this? Ahem...so, everything they say is WONDERFUL and I am BLESSED to have them crit my work.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ricky, Catwoman was awful, was it not?

Melissa, I trust Rusty completely.

Susan, post a call for critique partners on your blog - that's how I found mine.

Pat, leave your brain at the door and enjoy!

Abby, good recovery!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Alex, Great reviews.

Rusty, The pain of being critiqued, and yet, it is necessary. Right? Thanks for your insight.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Alex - so Green Lantern is good enough to see as a matinee without 3D when we are just wanting a fun flick? . . . sounds tempting

Rusty - great critique of critique! I totally get the lost in translation from mind to paper thing . . . happens to me all the time.

Unknown said...

reynolds is a Mega HO!

Kimberly said...

Not sure where I'd be if I hadn't gotten critiques along the way. It's helped a ton.

I'm still not sure about seeing the Green Lantern though. :)

Donna K. Weaver said...

Great points, Alex. And sometimes we can't quite get out what's in our heads. We read the words and see the fuller, richer version that just didn't quite translate. That's why someone else's critical eye, one that not all messed up with the story in our head, is vital.

dolorah said...

OH Alex, I'm so glad you said you enjoyed Green Lantern. I was going to see it anyway, but not putting any real effort in it. Yeah, I know your tastes run to the obscure, but I've come to appreciate your reviews.

My movie watching aside . .

Rusty, I heartily agree with your comment: "Almost all the stories out there that any of us feel compelled to write are great, it’s just that sometimes the way we choose to tell the tale gets in the way."

A writer needs to trust the critiquer that they have the story's best interest at heart, and the CP needs to believe the writer is the best person to tellthe story.

Awesome that you two found each other . .

.....dhole

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

fantastic post, Rusty. I so agree about the need for crit partners. We do get shutters on our own work and can't see the gaping holes.

Good to hear you enjoyed the Green Lantern, Alex.

Rhonda @Laugh Quotes said...

Loved the line "Oh wait, that’s because it SUCKED!" LOL love it (and I love Hot Tamales. Funny thing, we have friends coming to NZ from the states in Dec and asked if we needed anything from the states, and my hubby said "hot tamales."really, they don't sell them here :(

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tyrean, I didn't bother with the 3D and enjoyed it!

Kimberly, it's at least worth a DVD rental.

Donna, I appreciate that! And really glad I found Rusty.

Rhonda, no Hot Tamales? The horror!

PK HREZO said...

What a fun CP to have! Really great to meet Rusty!

Rusty Carl said...

Wow again. I just wanted to say that I do think my first unwitting critique experience that I described above was horrible. Aside from the fact that it taught me I had more work to do. The person who couldn't get through the first page used that opportunity to tell me I stunk. Not help me. They did, after all, read less than a single page before giving it back. Shame on them. It wasn't that bad.

I think it did teach me a lesson about delivery though. You don't have to be mean.

Thank you Alex, for giving me the forum to blather on about stuff.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I remember the first time someone critiqued my very first manuscript. My experience was similar even down the words, 'this is a mess.'
When my kids were younger we used to enjoy SyFy Saturday night movie offering. We still talk about our all time favorite about sabre tooth tigers. How did Stargate ruin the channel?

msmariah said...

I don't even know if I've heard of Swamp Shark. Definitely sounds like a b-movie.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Pk, he's a blast!

Rusty, you are definitely not mean with your critiques. Funny yes, mean no! And you do not blather.

Susan, it didn't in my opinion - I love the show!

Msmariah, it was a z-movie.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

My daughter loves Catwoman and has written a few fanfiction novels on it! She's started on Catwoman's daughter--she's quite creative, my daughter!

Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting!
:)

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!

Luna said...

Thanks for the review! Missed it at the drive-in last week and will have to wait. Transformers and Super8 are playing now.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

It's all in how we say it. I hope no one's been that mean to you since, Rusty.

Ciara said...

I couldn't bring myself to watch Swamp Shark. Green Lantern was okay.

Ella said...

So glad Alex you went to the movie. I never follow anyone's opinion about movies. I did once and then changed my mind and went. The movie they said, "sucked" I thought was moving, brilliant. My lesson learned!

Nice to meet you Rusty; such wise advice. I agree, we all have dazzling moments, but sometimes it is difficult to mine those gems. It takes trust and someone with fortitude to help us see it through. I come from the camp that we all are diamonds in the rough! Alex, thanks for sharing your friend Rusty with us. I know he will help you expose Bryon further. I look forward to his/your journey~ :D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elizabeth, Catwoman is cool, just not the movie version.

Ella, Rusty has been a big help! And I think I was on movie theater burnout that weekend. My bad.

Sangu Mandanna said...

Fantastic post - so many great points made here. And thanks for the review as always, Alex, though I never thought Green Lantern was my kind of thing!

RaShelle Workman said...

Alex - I'm sure it was brilliant... in it's messiness. LOL
Love your story. Thanks!

And thanks for the info on Green Lantern. I'll go see it. =D

KM Nalle said...

Green Lantern has been on my movie list but I've heard so many mixed reviews. Sounds like you enjoyed it though, so maybe I'll give it a shot.

Rusty provided some great reminders about critiques though. Sound like the two of you are a perfect crit match!

Cheeseboy said...

I am a huge Ryan Reynolds fan, my wife even more so (obvious reasons). I'll see it for that only. Can't wait for your other review.

Theres just life said...

Alex, First glad to hear about Green Lantern. Second sounds like you have a great critique partner in Rusty.
Rusty, the problem is if they find a good story on SyFy or any channel for that matter they spin off sequels until your dizzy and ready to puke. Stick to one good series and give us a variety of different ones. Not the same one over and over with just different actors.

Pamela Jo

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Everyone, go see Green Lantern and enjoy!

Pamela, but I like the Stargate spinoffs...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the movie recommendation. And this passage from your crit partner is awesome:


Almost all the stories out there that any of us feel compelled to write are great, it’s just that sometimes the way we choose to tell the tale gets in the way. We emphasize the wrong parts, or forget to tell about why a character behaves the way he does. Writing is how we translate the story from the mind to the page – and sometimes it can lose something in the translation.


I took years to understand this. Thank you for sharing.

Theres just life said...

Alex, Wouldn't you like to see more than just one type of show on at a time. Look at all the CSIs and Law and Orders, Star Treks, Stargates, the list goes on. It's kind of like going to the movie every week of the year and only seeing Vampires, Oh wait I think that was last year.

Pamela Jo

Arlee Bird said...

We may never know until someone tells us. That's why getting a good critique is so important. Alex is lucky to have found your skill, Rusty. Enjoyed the guest spot.

Alex -- looking forward to the play by play of Shark--or maybe not.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

DAmy, I'm still figuring it out.

Pamela, I avoid the vampire flicks.

Lee, I am lucky! And my play-by-play is better than seeing the real movie.

Thanks again, Rusty - you rock!

Rusty Carl said...

Thank you Alex - you rock, er, more.

A side note, my quip about Stargate ruining the SciFi channel is because of the disgraceful way they killed Farscape. They overspent to get Stargate
(and syndication rights to X-Files) and couldn't pay for both shows. It wasn't Stargate's fault, but the bitterness I always felt towards SciFi leeched over to Stargate.

Raquel Byrnes said...

Green Lantern didn't blow you out of the water, huh? Well now I'm all indecisive.

My friend wanted to see Thor based solely on the three second shirtless portion of the trailer so there's that.

I went to see Thor because I loved the comic and Marvel movies. Wasn't disappointed.

Hmm...this one might go on my DVD to see list.

Karen M. Peterson said...

I'm glad to know Green Lantern isn't terrible. I might go see it tomorrow. It's that or Larry Crowne.

And I expected Swamp Shark to be terrible, but I didn't think it would be unwatchable. Too bad!