Be subjective as well as helpfull

[Hudson]

I am going to add my 2 cents worth re the crits that have appeared recently, when one does a crit it should be constructive and also include positive coments. Those particular people who have written scathing crits obviouslly feel that they are working for the New York Times, this area is designed to help us writers improve our skills, not berate us. Writers in general are thick skinned creatures but we are only human.

There is two types of feedback, the one you receive from people who enjoy your writing and are turned on by the content, the other type of crit is the one where another writer shares their exerience to help improve your writing.

If you want to totally pull apart someones work and humiliate them , then you bloody better have the credentials to stand up to it, anyway thats my bit what it's worth.

 

[daughter]

Peer to Peer

Hudson--

Please identify one critique by me that does not include 1 positive comment. There are plenty of suggestions offered.

"Scathing" is harsh. "That sucks" is harsh. I haven't written either.

I'm not speaking as an authority. And I don't think you need to be one here. This isn't the New York Times, it's a public forum for writers to share their feedback with one another.

Our lovers and friends give us plenty of gushing praise. I come here for someone to tell me when something isn't cutting the grade so I can improve. Sometimes the critique stings. But all boo, boos heal.

Peace,

daughter

 

[English-Passion]

There are only two times that a badly negative crit can be deemed unfair, unwarranted or downright unpleasant.

1. When no supporting rationale is offered. It is never acceptable to say 'that sucks' unless you are prepared to say why (even if it is a matter of opinion). The same goes for positive feedback too - nice though it is to hear 'I loved your story', it is so much better to know why.

2. When the criticism is directed at the author rather that the work. For that there can be no justification. Ever.

English-Passion

 

[daughter]

Nodding head

EP--

Well said. You and I get along and I did point out something I didn't like in one of your poems and I said why. We didn't have any personal disagreement.

Lastly, pointing out concerns or flaws with a poem doesn't mean a reader doesn't like the poem. I enjoy EP's work. I'm more apt to comment to something I like than otherwise.

Peace,

daughter

 

[English-Passion]

Ooh daughter - you've made me come over goosebumpy!

(Who is goosebumpy you may ask)

English-Passion

 

[SA Storm]

.

 

[Guest]

Speaking about adding my 2 cents.......

But I'll throw in a nickle here......

I'll be very candid. I've recieved an enormous amount of feedback emails, both anonymously as well as from people who've included their email addys. And I write back to each and everyone of them. I also get: "I really liked your story." And my 1st response back to them is "Thank you....but why did you like it?"

The reverse is also true. I get my fair share of critisism as well,
and...........I also write "Thank you....but what didn't you like?"

It's funny.....I usually hear back from the one's who liked the stories. Hardly ever do from those who didn't.

So what choice do we have but to critique one another's work here on these boards. I DO believe in doing it in a fashion that
is not intended to hurt someone's feelings, thats never MY intention anyway, but I will honestly say what my personal observations were regarding the piece.

I've also been willing to put myself in front of the Ole' firing squad (so to speak) Story Discussion Circle. **See Mrs. Doubtfire
And though there were a few searing comments....I also felt like I learned from that experience, and will improve my writing. (And hopefully did so with my newest story: That Special Someone

The critic's I am sure will soon let me know either way.

Point is: Yes....we are here to entertain, share, have fun and enjoy ourselves. And hopefully have a good time. BUT....I also expect to become a better writer, and only through honest opinions and comments from other fellow writers can I ever hope to accomplish that.

No.....don't say something I wrote sucked if you don't want to tell me why it did. That to me is hurtful, and doesn't help anyone.
There's such a thing as simply being rude.

A few people enjoy sending out nasty-grams for no other reason than to do just that. (Same people I think who simply fire off one votes for the hell of it).

And hell........I may not even fully understand what a writer was trying to convey, I'd rather tell them that, and ask them to explain it to me so I have a better understanding and can then give an honest opinion. Hopefully...if someone feels the same way about something I've written, I'd rather answer that question and THEN get...."Well, your story STILL sucked!" At least I'd have a better understanding of that.

And yes......I still enjoy having my ego stroked occassionally. Don't we all? We are still humans.......even if we are wanna be writers.

To sleep........perchance to dream - William Shakespear

I remain.......