Righteous Critiquing

Submitted by Sarah on Mon, 08/22/2011 - 11:06

One thing that I have struggled with is how to approach other writers' writing. I go to critique group, and the point of critique group is to let the other writers know what you enjoyed and also what you feel could be improved in what they have read.

So what do you do when someone at critique group reads something that is objectionable, but not in the writing sense... it's objectionable in the sense that, in real life, if you were reading that book, you'd put it down after the first couple of pages because you are *morally* objecting to the subject matter.

The approach I have taken thus far has been one of "hands off" morals/morality. I only comment on actual writerly mistakes/possible improvements. But it does get awkward. I'm heartily glad we don't read one another's work in the critique group I currently attend, because even listening turns me beet red on occasion.

The hard thing, as an artist, is to figure out where that "line" really is. It has to be drawn in a different place when you are looking at the works of those who do not share your moral schema. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't do the "normal" missionary work... of being a good example, etc etc. But honestly, I feel there is absolutely no room for preachiness in a writer's critique group.

One of the writers I meet with every Wednesday writes Romance novels. And by romance, I mean, ROMANCE, not the Mormon-girl twilight-hinting-but-not-quite-going-there stuff. Erotica.

Another writer is working on a manuscript that is about a completely amoral demon (who is a very well-written, extremely hilarious character, by the way) and his attempts to "switch sides." IN his story, the roles of God and Satan are, in a way, reversed... well, not reversed. His universe depicts all religions and supernatural beings as sort of human... imperfect in their own ways, ekeing out their own existence and competing for the "worship" of humans. Particularly, the worship/reverence of artists.

It is a great story. In every way.

And in real life, I'd never read it.

But as a critique-er, it completely stuns me. It's pretty amazing.

I feel a bit dissassociative, identity-wise, at times, in my critique group. But in the end, they are also ALL great people. Great, great, great. Funny funny funny. Still my tribe.

What's your thought about artists, and appropriateness, and lines, and morality and how it comes into everything?

3 Comments

Respectful objections

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 22:29.

I face a similar problem when grading/editing student work. The occasional boy or girl (but mostly boy) will stick something a little off colour in an essay. If I think they're just being cute, I come right out and tell them to think deeper, less sickening thoughts, but if I think they're expressing sincere beliefs or concerns, I just correct the English and euphemize the terminology.

Your situation is, of course, very different--and tricky. Your tribe, as you call it, is polluting you. You can't ask the romance writer to stop writing romances or leave out the raunchy bits. Sounds to me like there ain't room enough for the both of you in that there tribe. It may be time to hit the trail--or hire a gunman. Your choice. Or you can respectfully retire to another part of the planet when the orgy begins. As long as you recognize the other person's rights and express regret at not being able to contribute your opinion because the content conflicts with your way of life (as opposed to merely challenging or contradicting your views), nobody with a fully operating brain should be particularly bothered. You probably don't go to the bar with your friends who drink or sit in the smoking lounge with your friends who smoke. Why should you have to absorb erotic prose just because you're part of a critiquing bee? Besides, the fact that you're sitting through that part of the movie probably tells the others something misleading about you, your commitment to your faith, and your faith.

respectful response

Submitted by Sarah on Mon, 05/07/2012 - 23:51.

I think that if I felt assaulted by it, i'd probably withdraw. But I don't... I feel more embarrassed for her. But I know it's not an embarrassment I can convey in a critique, not one she'd accept anyway, so instead I talk about how to improve writing quality, how I feel about character/plot development, yada yada, and skip over the sex scene. Which is what, honestly, I'd be doing if I had to read the book for some class or something. I don't know if that makes me a less righteous person, or too relativistic or something. But honestly... I don't find romance writing titillating at all. In fact... I find it sort of silly.

I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is nigh, saith Jehovah.