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Question: Why have only two of the eight people in my creative writing class submitted pieces to be critiqued!?
I understand people have lives and are busy!. But then, isn't the point of taking a NON-CREDIT (meaning you choose to take it) creative writing class to write creatively!?
We were given an assignment last Saturday to write two pages introducing our character to the reader!. The deadline is Wednesday at midnight!.
So far only two people have submitted their work -- myself (on Tuesday) and another woman (earlier today)!.
I'm feeling self-conscious and kind of annoyed because my classmates have been emailing me comments and dissecting my story and offering criticism, but not turning in their own work!.
It feels really unfair, kind of like if someone asked you to get naked so they could examine your body and comment on all its flaws, while they are fully clothed!.
GRRR!. What gives!? Why won't they send in their work!?! Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The other answers have given you very good advice, but they haven't really answered your question!. Having been in read and critique groups, here's what I have found for those who don't turn in their work, but simply critique others:
1!. A lot of people think they want to write, but they either don't have the tools or they are paralyzed (good old writer's block), and
2!. A lot of people are afraid of criticism, of holding their work under the harsh microscope of review!.
In the end, it is their loss!. Your work (once you quit stomping around, like the rest of us) will be stronger for the dissection!. Whether you change anything or not, you will have heard the "devil's advocate" so to speak and will be able to defend your work!. One word of caution (I learned this from a professional editor): if you hear the same comment from several people, you may want to incorporate that!. If you hear one comment from one person, disregard it, unless it really speaks to you!.
Good luck and keep writing!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Are the comments any good!? Isn't that the point of taking the class!?
Pity them because they are getting less out of the class!
Www@QuestionHome@Com
Your class, if you were given an assignment, even if it is a noncredit course, must have a teacher, right!? Why wouldn't he/she comment not the situation of your classmates having not completed the assignment!? As you suggest, it seems quite unfair that your classmates should criticize your submission when they have failed to comply with the assignment themselves!. I think that you must take the initiative to voice your grievance when the class meets again -- if it does actually meet, or is it just an on-line class!? How can the class be of any benefit to anyone if the directives are not followed!? If it's strictly an on-line class, and the other members do not participate by writing, it seems to me that it is therefore rendered essentially irrelevant!. What can you learn in such a situation!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Don't focus on them!. Focus on you!. I've been there!. It isn't worth it to stress out over it!. You said it yourself: the point is to write creatively!. And get better!. If they aren't submitting, they aren't getting better!. But if you're getting good feedback, then take it into account and improve your work!. Your getting naked metaphor isn't that accurate!. You are there willingly, and you are willingly exposing yourself!. Plus, your writing can be fixed!. Your body can't!. So you are willingly submitting something you want to improve!. If they aren't, then it sucks to be them!.
Now, if they don't supply good feedback, then you have a problem!. When that happens--it will--just disregard the bad ones (the ones that say, 'this story sucks') and focus on the ones that explain their critiques and supply ideas for improvement!.
Good job on keeping up with the assignments, and don't let others keep you down!.Www@QuestionHome@Com