In the case of A Wrinkle In Time, I didn't remember any of that "adult writer looking indulgently down on children" vibe--any at all. And in re-reading, there was some, in patches. So I guess I don't mean writing errors (in a SPAG sense or a near-universally condemned style sense), but an inconsistency in voice.
I don't think putting it that way is helpful to be honest. You get better at writing by writing. You get better at pacing and character arcs and everything else that makes for a good book by writing book length projects. Once you've done it a few times you develop a better sense for the form and, if not for things that work, at least for the things that won't work or you won't have space to include and so forth. That doesn't mean a first try is just a 'practice book' though. It can still be good. It'll take more effort to edit and polish that first book than the ones who come after it, certainly, because it'll have rookie mistakes in it and you likely haven't learned to be brutal and dispassionate when you edit yet. I agree with the general sentiment; the way you get better is by doing. But I don't think just seeing a project as disposable is a wise move.
The piece linked here at the start of this discussion has to be one of the worst things I've ever read about writing and the industry. This blanket criticism of works being published by literary journals is outlandish. And to criticize the whole idea of workshopping only to then advertise your own workshop (like she's better at teaching anyone anything better than the professors and even students at a place like Iowa) is just ridiculous. Works being published in The Paris Review, Tin House and the likes are anything but bland. These journals continuously publish great pieces of writing. If the author of the article can't recognize talent and great works, she's probably in the wrong profession. Sure, when new writers are trying too hard it can sound like they are trying to hard. But this lady is talking about published works. Maybe she knew she would look stupid if she actually named an actual journal where she saw this as a problem, but she sure didn't back up anything she was saying as far as I'm concerned. I surely have never heard of her or any of her projects, but I will make sure to steer clear of them.
I don't believe you read the piece linked (I have to assume that, since I have no evidence that you can't comprehend what you're reading, which is the only alternative). She's certainly not making a blanket indictment of literary work and the authors who write them. And if you look at the workshops she and Dean Smith are doing, they specifically avoid doing the things she's complaining of here, so there's nothing contradictory about it (whether they're right or wrong to avoid it is a separate issue). Sorry it seems to have hit a sore spot for you, but she's been fairly successful, as has Dean Smith. If you were familiar with genre writing circles you'd probably have heard of her. She has won Hugos for writing and editing, both, and Ellery Queen Awards (I have no idea what her mystery work is like, though). I'd say in your desire to stampede toward criticism you didn't bother actually reading or considering what was linked. If you had, then criticisms of what is there might be more on point (and therefore given greater consideration).
She's entitled to her opinion on her own blog. But she shouldn't blame the workshops, blame the weak writers who wilt and fold in the face of criticism. If you have a clear vision, stick to your guns. Just like me!
I've went back at various times and reread or listened on audio to Asimov's, Robot books, and they still retain some charm... but when I revisited on audio, The Mote in God's Eye by Niven & Pournelle, oh my, I lost all respect for it. Very dated, and without the charm.
Yes, as I recall it's the recollections of a mature woman telling the story through her 5-8 year old self. I wouldn't even consider picking up a book nowadays narrated in that style. But it works wonderfully in Mockingbird.
I thought so too. The criticism I saw seemed to hinge around whether Scout would sound like that (which didn't make sense, since it is an adult looking back) or whether she would have such clarity of memory (which I guess could be valid, but I'm going with artistic license on that).
90% spot on. I totally agree about franchises like Fast and Furious, Transformers, anything Marvel, and Tom Clancy... They don't get as much as criticism as Twilight and they should. But ....sports? First off, that's not even a story. Second off, women love sports too. Just ask all the famous female professional athletes. It's incredible to call sports a "stupid" or a thing " loved by men." Talk about outrageous, poorly thought out stereotypes, that don't even make sense...
She said "tend to" be loved by men. Do you feel that sports fans are an even split between men and women?
Posted this before: http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/amp/why-do-we-hate-things-teen-girls-love
I think we both know the ratio is a lot closer to 1:1 than for either Twilight or Tom Clancy. You've got gymnastics, girls basketball, field hockey, volleyball, tennis, female MMA and boxing, and a multitude of other female sports. It's also not make believe, unlike all the others things mentioned. It really was a bad example.
I feel that you may not be altogether following the point made. I don't see it as being about make believe, but about respecting or failing to respect the tastes of different demographics. But it wasn't my point, so I may be mistaken.
Perhaps what teenage girls love are dismissed precisely because the Beatles were so vastly overrated. It's criminal how they overshadow much more talented bands.
I don't think you can compare sports- a giant, historic concept, something that has been enjoyed by viewers and participants alike all around the globe for thousands of years, something that requires incredible skill, fortitude, and strategy, to either Twilight or the Fast and Furious. The original statement got it wrong twice. Sports is not stupid. And sports is not just liked by men.
There are activities that extend the physical capabilities of the human body and represent a lifetime of accomplishment. And there are things like the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, getting into brawls about football teams, and wearing imitation cheese on one's head. I'm very comfortable comparing the second set with Twilight and Fast and Furious. I'll take the first set under advisement.