Is this just a solipsistic individual? Or is it a representation of one of the generational cohorts?
I occasionally participate in an online group where people critique each other's writing. I received a critique the other day that startled me so much I couldn't get it out of my mind. My question to you all is this: Is what I'm seeing here just a particular person being particularly oblivious as regards the variety of life styles that exist, or is this a representation of one of the generations? The thing that struck me is not that the critic doesn't care for these things, but that he doesn't even think they EXIST in this day and age.
I get totally mixed up about "gen X" and "millenials," etc., I can't remember which ages they are and I don't know what attributes they're supposed to have, but I do know there's lots of talk about different cohort characteristics. Is this one of them? Here is his critique and my responses.
**********
My reaction to this whole section of your critique is to point out to you that reading is a way to get introduced to other (albeit fictional) people. Most of your comments in this section seem to boil down to "the character isn't like me, so there's something wrong." If you're going to try to improve your critiques I'd recommend trying to open yourself to different experiences.
Sandra wants to eat Ethiopian food, but hasn’t, but why?
Why wouldn't someone have curiosity about a cuisine they haven't tried before? This is straight from my life.
The restaurant they choose is called chez Donald, which is not a first date restaurant for rich people name. It’s sounds like redneck Julia child to me. Peanuts as bar food felt stereotypical for like the 1980s, but not for now.
Maybe I'll change the name. How about Chez Robert, where I and my decidedly not rich hubby used to go once a year?
Sandra not know where Cape Verde is struck me as odd.
I didn't know until I was well into middle age. It just hadn't come up.
People whose fondest memories are of jazz trios, well honestly they bother me. It feels like A social marker of what people think they’re supposed to do instead of what people actually like to do, and I would consider changing do something with more personality.
Well, this actual person holds a visit to hear George Shearing in an intimate setting at the Carlyle hotel as one of her fondest memories. Wasn't trying to fit any "ought to." How can you possibly think that there are no genuine jazz enthusiasts?
Overall I guess my problem with the Section is the characters feel very generic, like a pastiche of cliches and tropes.
My advice is to open your mind to the existence of people unlike yourself.
= new reply since forum marked as read
