Ever been really lectured by a reader?

[SEVERUSMAX]

I got this rambling lecture from one critic about a story set in historical times, which is funny because I know more than he seems to think. Had to do with Greek homosexuality in Homeric and Classical eras. Since my story is set in colonies founded (in a parallel world) during the Hellenistic Era, this is very odd.

Have any of you had this kind of patronizing feedback? Not mean, just a bit arrogant and condescending, not to mention based on false assumptions.

 

[sunandshadow]

I've definitely had condescending and not-particularly-logical responses from readers and people looking at my art. All you can really do is ignore it, or ideally get a laugh out of it.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I do it all the time.

Recently read a history book fulla crap about slavery. The book is superior to most general Americqan histories but the author doesnt know shit about slavery. So I bit his ass.

Ridicule gets the writers attention better than a kind word.

 

[lovecraft68]

Yes, early on in my series I received a long e-mail explaining how there was no room in incest for rough sex/ bdsm. I was told those 2 categories do not mix and it it ruined the bond between the brother/sister for him.

It ended with the memorable line of "Really, that is no way for a young man to treat his loving sister!"

 

[mynameisben]

Ridicule gets the writers attention better than a kind word.

I have to disagree. Every writer I know has told me they appreciate constructive criticism whenever they receive it and pay little or no heed at all to ridicule. Personally, I don't have the inclination to consider the mindset of people who have nothing better to do than take cheap shots at somebody's creative work while offering nothing of their own. And anyone who "does it all the time" seriously needs to find a new hobby.

 

[Safe_Bet]

...I don't have the inclination to consider the mindset of people who have nothing better to do than take cheap shots at somebody's creative work while offering nothing of their own. And anyone who "does it all the time" seriously needs to find a new hobby.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

While at the same time being just fine with the "brilliant" people who praise your "creative work".

Fucking hypocrite!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I have to disagree. Every writer I know has told me they appreciate constructive criticism whenever they receive it and pay little or no heed at all to ridicule. Personally, I don't have the inclination to consider the mindset of people who have nothing better to do than take cheap shots at somebody's creative work while offering nothing of their own. And anyone who "does it all the time" seriously needs to find a new hobby.

Oh! I find that criticism is entertainment, too.

Artistes never take criticism seriously, though they fret and whine about it, so I aim my criticism at the readers, to articulate what ruins the experience for them.

 

[PennLady]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

While at the same time being just fine with the "brilliant" people who praise your "creative work".

Fucking hypocrite!

No, he's not. There's a difference between constructive criticism offered in a civil manner and cheap shots about the author and/or the story.

 

[TE999]

"He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches." (or criticizes)

'Man and Superman' (1903) George Bernard Shaw.

 

[BuckyDuckman]

I got this rambling lecture from one critic about a story set in historical times, which is funny because I know more than he seems to think. Had to do with Greek homosexuality in Homeric and Classical eras. Since my story is set in colonies founded (in a parallel world) during the Hellenistic Era, this is very odd.

Have any of you had this kind of patronizing feedback? Not mean, just a bit arrogant and condescending, not to mention based on false assumptions.

I have - though never about my fiction. I think it's interesting how someone gets the idea that world is a certain way and then refuses to consider new information. If I thought they were sincere, I would have compared and contrasted references.

 

[3113]

Have any of you had this kind of patronizing feedback? Not mean, just a bit arrogant and condescending, not to mention based on false assumptions.

I've gotten it based on both false and on correct assumptions. When its' correct, I do accept it because I don't like to make stupid mistakes in my story. And while I could do without the condescension, I can't be hypocritical. There have been times when I couldn't refrain from being condescending in some of the feedback I've left simply because what I saw was pretty stupid. Or, more to the point, sloppy.

I've plenty of patience for misspelling or some details not caught because I know how hard it is to find an editor to edit a story one is going to post up on a free site. But when it comes to mistakes that are a matter of research anyone could have done or just going over the story a time or two, etc. then I run out of patience. So I can't fault someone being condescending to me for a stupid mistake given that I'm guilty of doing the same with others.

Condescending on false presences, however--well, I have written up my own feedback right under such feedback in response. As "Word from the author" as it were on the topic. After all, the best way to deflate condescension is to point out to the person who thinks they were right how wrong they were.

 

[RjThoughts]

I've received constructive criticism, and I've received clap-trap bullshirt nonsense because a story was "Not what I had expected. I wanted a stroke piece, but what I got was a story full of long words, which made me lose my hardon."

Can't please everyone when you're polysyllabic, I guess.

 

[PayDay]

"He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches." (or criticizes)

'Man and Superman' (1903) George Bernard Shaw.

"But real gangsta-ass niggas don't flex nuts...
'cause real gangsta-ass niggas know they got em..."

Uncut Dope (1992) Geto Boys

 

[lance gt]

I like the ones who try to show genuine concern on how I write my story, like I'm doing it just for them. Don't have the characters do this or that, or have them do this or that. Then of course, another comment comes in from someone who wants me to do something completely different than the other one. Rarely will I take something and introduce it to my story, but the reader's love it when I do. It's the little things that make them happy.

 

[lovecraft68]

"But real gangsta-ass niggas don't flex nuts...
'cause real gangsta-ass niggas know they got em..."

Uncut Dope (1992) Geto Boys

Know what I would love to see?

Every time I see some semi literate gang banging piece of crap use the word Nigga I would like to see them go up to their grand father and say

'What up my nigga?"

then when grand dad knocks him on his ass maybe he'll take the time to understand why.

People fought and died for the black cause back in the day when there was segregated busing and separate water fountains for blacks and these punk kids throw it around like its funny.

Real classy there payday. If that's your idea of having Nuts you can keep them.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Know what I would love to see?

Every time I see some semi literate gang banging piece of crap use the word Nigga I would like to see them go up to their grand father and say

'What up my nigga?"

then when grand dad knocks him on his ass maybe he'll take the time to understand why.

People fought and died for the black cause back in the day when there was segregated busing and separate water fountains for blacks and these punk kids throw it around like its funny.

Real classy there payday. If that's your idea of having Nuts you can keep them.

What up my Nigga?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1w29SpEVTY

 

[Cruel2BKind]

Know what I would love to see?

Every time I see some semi literate gang banging piece of crap use the word Nigga I would like to see them go up to their grand father and say

'What up my nigga?"

then when grand dad knocks him on his ass maybe he'll take the time to understand why.

People fought and died for the black cause back in the day when there was segregated busing and separate water fountains for blacks and these punk kids throw it around like its funny.

Real classy there payday. If that's your idea of having Nuts you can keep them.

They took the word back and made it their own.

Just like the LGBT movement uses 'queer' in a positive way. If they went back to some LGBT folk who were in their sixties, forties, or hell, even thirties, they would respond negatively.

 

[lovecraft68]

They took the word back and made it their own.

Just like the LGBT movement uses 'queer' in a positive way. If they went back to some LGBT folk who were in their sixties, forties, or hell, even thirties, they would respond negatively.

See, I would be okay with your explanation. After all over years some words change meaning. Look at "Gay"

But, the problem here is Let me say Nigga. Oh, no now we have some gang banger threatening to kick my ass. Well only if there were a few of them, those types travel in packs.

You cannot have a word that historically has been one of the most ignorant of all time suddenly be a joke.

mainly it slaps people like MLK in the face. But then again the Snoop Dog Generation really has no clue what real racism is. They like to think they do but they do not. There's a black President and it wasn;t that many decades ago they couldn't even vote.

But LIl Wayne he's had it rough huh?

Nope, whenever I hear them say it all I can think of is stupid and ignorant.

 

[Safe_Bet]

See, I would be okay with your explanation. After all over years some words change meaning. Look at "Gay"

But, the problem here is Let me say Nigga. Oh, no now we have some gang banger threatening to kick my ass. Well only if there were a few of them, those types travel in packs.

You cannot have a word that historically has been one of the most ignorant of all time suddenly be a joke.

mainly it slaps people like MLK in the face. But then again the Snoop Dog Generation really has no clue what real racism is. They like to think they do but they do not. There's a black President and it wasn;t that many decades ago they couldn't even vote.

But LIl Wayne he's had it rough huh?

Nope, whenever I hear them say it all I can think of is stupid and ignorant.

No, butt nugget... Nigga / queer, when used by the appropriate repressed minority, is NOT said as a joke. It is black / gay person taking away a word used to degradate and humiliate them and OWNING it as a means to rub it right back in the face of you entitled white, str8 people.

It's not a joke it's a "fuck you, you bigoted, ignorant asshole!" from people just like me to people just like you!

 

[lance gt]

No, butt nugget... Nigga / queer, when used by the appropriate repressed minority, is NOT said as a joke. It is black / gay person taking away a word used to degradate and humiliate them and OWNING it as a means to rub it right back in the face of you entitled white, str8 people.

It's not a joke it's a "fuck you, you bigoted, ignorant asshole!" from people just like me to people just like you!

Just lost my vote. This str8 white person has had enough of your bullshit.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Just lost my vote. This str8 white person has had enough of your bullshit.

Oh, gee... A str8 man doesn't love me any more! What ever shall I do now???

**fakes big dramatic swoon**

 

[Loring2]

Oh, gee... A str8 man doesn't love me any more! What ever shall I do now???

**fakes big dramatic swoon**

Yep and queers and niggers don't love you anymore either because you let your alligator mouth overload your puppydog asshole again. Loser