So, another feedback blitz has come and gone. I think we've seen some good writing here, and I think we've gotten some good ideas on improvement as well.
Did the stories draw you in? Which one was your favorite? Why?
What variations on this theme would you like to see here?
On another note, I saw something disturbing this morning in the local Dollar Tree store -- namely, hardback books on sale for $1.00 a piece.
Can you say "remaindered?"
It broke my heart. It also annoyed me. There's such a glut of books on the market; it's book overkill. And let's face it -- some of them aren't exactly stellar.
For the record, these were mostly nonfiction. And they weren't all oddball-ish books with no discernible audience. They were "real" books with snazzy covers.
These were simply books -- big, fat, hardbound books -- that didn't sell, and ended up in the dollar store.
Does this make your heart sink, too? Or am I being a tad too sensitive?
Chat away! And thanks again for all the super entries and critiques on our first Drop The Needle.
Miss Snark's First Victim
I don't think you're being too sensitive. It saddens my heart to hear about dollar books too.
ReplyDeleteWhat really scares me is...what if fewer people are reading books these days? A part of me wants to stand up and yell "you *have* to read more books because I want to write them as my profession! So get reading already!" :)
Re: drop the needle. My personal favorite was #7. Go Sabrina! :)
Eh, it's a bit sad, maybe, but I don't read that much non-fic as opposed to fiction... I kind of wince when I see bargain books for so cheap. :o
ReplyDeleteNot sure what "Needle" sub was my favorite as I liked quite a few... but I really did like the, what would you call it... work up for crit? :S (Not a contest per se.)
Anyway, look forward to future "competitions" (ugh! the word I want escapes me).
Are you going to be doing something weekly, bi-weekly?
I think a blurb one would be fun. :)
~Merc
Tabitha -- I think that, in general, ours is not a book-reading society, though I am hopeful that book reading will never completely die out. I mean -- who could live without the SMELL of a new book?
ReplyDeleteMerc -- I'm not sure. I'm afraid I'll burn out if I do it weekly, but biweekly almost feels like too long to wait, considering the high quality of feedback we've been getting.
What are your thoughts?
Well, we certainly can't have you getting burned out. :D
ReplyDeleteI think bi-weekly would be fine. Gives you time to do other things and posts, and is also often enough, I think, that people will want to keep participating to get feedback.
Me, I don't think I could have something to offer every week. Heh. Well, of course it depends, but bi-weekly sounds like a happy medium right now...
Anyone else have thoughts?
~Merc
Bi-weekly does sound more do-able. (Doable?)
ReplyDeleteAs for in-between stuff -- I do have an author interview in the works right now (winkety wink). But it seems like the heaviest traffic flow occurs when we've got feedback up for grabs. I want to provide what readers want most.
I think these type 'feedback' opportunities are a good draw, but I am seeing way more entries than there is feedback. With critiques, it's always give and take. With these type mini sessions, it needs to be the same--if you post your piece, make sure you give feedback to others. I find it frustrating to see so many ask for feedback, but not take the time to give it.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I appreciate all the help everyone gave me on my piece! Thank you so much for the encouragement.
Angela, that's a good point, and one I plan on addressing with our next feedback session.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, it can be daunting to give feedback when you're feeling insecure about the strength of your own writing. It's a "what can I possibly offer others?" attitude. I think we need to encourage folks that they do, indeed, have something valid to offer, because we all have tastes/opinions/preferences as readers. We cannot truly be writers unless we are first readers -- and discerning ones at that.
So. Thank you for bringing this up. And thank you for all that you've personally offered here!