Would he dare? Oh, yes he would! / myLot

United States

July 28, 2019 1:09pm CST

When Son1 retires from the military, he can start a second career as an editor and proofreader. He is very good at it. His first semester at college, he received a low grade on a paper he'd written for an English class. Because he thought he deserved a better grade, he sent it to me for my opinion. I sent it back marked up and told him he should count his blessings as I would have given the paper a failing score. He retook the class the following semester with a much better professor. His teacher the first time around was a grad student who, from all reports, was an awful instructor. Son1 took a renewed interest in writing and has learned a lot about what makes good prose. Does he dare tell me when my writing could, ahem - use improvement? Yes, yes he does. And he's usually right. Thus, he gets the second crack at my work after my toughest critic, the missus has been through it. If you are a writer, do you have someone who gives you sometimes painfully honest feedback on your work?

13 people like this

12 responses

Jennifer

@LovingMyBabies (85923)

• Valdosta, Georgia

28 Jul 19

That's great that he gives you loving criticism! =) I have that with my husband and kids. Lol

4 people like this

John Roberts

@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

28 Jul 19

Are they ganging up on you?

3 people like this

Jennifer

@LovingMyBabies (85923)

• Valdosta, Georgia

29 Jul 19

@JohnRoberts In the most loving way possible!

1 person likes this

Evans

@evans777 (1540)

•

29 Jul 19

I'm a terrible writer, so I've been told

2 people like this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25797)

• United States

29 Jul 19

Keep practicing and read, read, read, then write, write, write. The more you read the better writer you will be and the more you write the more accomplished you will become.

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25797)

• United States

31 Jul 19

@evans777 Yes, I know so. I teach writing and am a writer myself. The most important thing to do to be a good writer is read - a lot - of many types of books by many different authors Then, practice your writing. Reading will help you increase your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and explore different styles. As you practice writing, you will find your 'voice' and develop your own style.

Evans

@evans777 (1540)

•

31 Jul 19

@DWDavis you think so?

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Alfredo Rossi

@amadeo (111937)

• United States

28 Jul 19

I do hope that he become successful in which he choose

2 people like this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25797)

• United States

29 Jul 19

Thank you. Thus far, he has been very successful in his AF career.

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jul 19

It's good you have two 'painfully honest' critics. My husband reads my stuff and I like to think he tells me when he thinks something should be looked at again.

2 people like this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25797)

• United States

29 Jul 19

My younger son will also give me honest feedback, so I actually have three. Four, if you count my editor.

1 person likes this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25797)

• United States

30 Jul 19

@JudyEv Oh, gee, thanks. No pressure.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (381760)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 19

@DWDavis You have no excuse then for not producing a masterpiece.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

CarolDM

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

28 Jul 19

I am mostly on my own when I write.

2 people like this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25797)

• United States

28 Jul 19

I would be in a big mess if I tried to edit my own books. So often, I don't notice the errors because I see what I think I wrote and not what actually wound up in the document.

2 people like this

MrsJ

@SophiaMorros (5044)

• Belews Creek, North Carolina

28 Jul 19

@DWDavis I do this as well. I actually "see" words that I forgot to write. Reading aloud helps but having someone else cast a fresh eye is much more effective.

2 people like this