Lessons from the 99th page

Quite a while ago, I submitted my 99th page here, the 99 Page Test Website, which asks you to submit your 99th page for feedback.

I'd just finished up the awesome 99th page blogfest, and so this seemed like a swell idea.

Although it was mostly dialogue, I felt relatively confident in LOU's 99th page. I read a few of the other pages on the website and wrote detailed critiques for them, the kind of thing I try to do for my critique buddies: what seemed to be working and not, if I'd read further and why. And then I sat back and waited.

I thought I'd learn a little about my page-- the sort of feedback you'd get from a mini writing group. But mostly what I got was one or two word comments, some random, some hurtful, some enthusiastic.

There were many conflicting opinions:

" it's really beautifully written."

"Is this a 'Bonny & Clyde' story? Then perhaps, but it didn't come across like that. Not too badly written, though."

"Very good, crisp writing"

"this style is difficult to follow"

"I enjoyed the style and the characters made sense quickly."

"I liked this, it had an interesting voice to it and seemed well written."

And some rather blunt ones:

"The simile, "airtight as a laundry basket" seems like a pathetic attempt at humor in a scene that doesn't even require it."

"Horrible people having a rotten time doesn't fulfil my needs for literature – I can get that in real life, thanks!"

About 1/3were thumbs up/down without comment.

At first I was sort of appalled. But then I realized my 99th page taught me something important... not about how to improve ol' #99 or whatever else, but how to take criticism.

At first, each offhand comment landed like a haymaker. I mulled over what to fix on my page, maybe I should take out that damn laundry basket simile. But then I'd get the opposite reaction from the next reader, and some random thing from a third and in this way I began to learn to let it just roll off, to know my own heart and make sure the critiques I accept are either

a. From those I trust and respect

or

b. Common criticisms from many different people.

Maybe I could have learned all this from Rick Nelson: "You can't please everyone so you got to please yourself"

(Not a One-Hit-Wonder, by the way)

Tomorrow is the 99th Page Blog Hop!

Are you hopping yet? I just looked over my 99th page and I have no idea if it makes sense going in cold. There are 98 pages ahead of it, so perhaps this is okay....?

Anyway, still polishing over here.

If you want to join the hop, there's still time.

Check out this info from the lovely folks over at Slice of the Blog Pie:

Sorry for the horrible graphic. Please send a better one.

That's right, tomorrow I'm co-hosting a blogfest with Erinn, Holly, Pam, and Quita. You can read the initial post here. If you didn't bother to click, the gist is to post page 99 of one of your writing projects and then visit everyone else who signed up. (As of 8.30 AM Thursday, we have 19 people*.)

Several people have asked what the rules are for tomorrow's blogfest. When visiting everyone else's page, you should focus and answer the following three questions:

1. Would you turn to page 100?
2. Why or why not?
3. Based on what you read, how likely would you buy the book?

So simple. So fun.

Please remember, when critting to be polite. Don't write anything you wouldn't say to the person's face. You know us writer types are a sensitive bunch.

See you tomorrow!