Constructive criticism I can take...but I can't take this...

[Ginger Harp Seal Pup]

*sigh* I'm emotionally weak. My confidence for story writing has taken a blow and now I feel really down about it. I write for a website called FictionPress. It's rather like FanFiction but users put their own fiction up on the site. I got three reviews for my latest story and they said my story was okay. Not brilliant but alright. I then read my fourth review and this is what it said:

"This had potential until u started to write it. Its not scary.. just dumb..."

Like I said in the title, if it was constructive I could handle it, but this isn't constructive! They're saying my story is dumb. To me, dumb is pretty offensive, especially when it's about someone's writing ability. I want to be able to just shrug this off but I can't. It's really hit me hard.

[DiscordantNote]

I tend to not listen to anyone who can't take the extra fraction of a second to spell 'you' properly, espeically if they are being a jerk. You should do the same; people like that shouldn't be bothering you like that.

[Forest_Majesty]

Awwwwr, I understand. Try hard to brush it off, and think; they gave no reasoning, they did not take the time to contructively criticize you and write with proper grammar, so obviously it doesn't mean a thing

Last edited by Forest_Majesty on Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Sapphire Faerie]

The fact that that person doesn't realize that you has three letters in it really downgrades their relevancy. People like that, just don't listen to them. In one ear, and out the other. You're right, that is not constructive criticism, that's just somebody being a jerk. Don't let it get to you. A friend of mine went through basically the same thing with some of her fanfiction recently. Lemme paraphrase what I told her:
"There are a lot of jerks online, and some can be really freaking rabid. Especially when it comes to things like fanfiction.
Who're you writing this for, yourself and your friends? Or a bunch of stickler jerks you don't even know?
The internet is a dangerous place. If you put yourself out there, you're more than likely to get hurt."
Dream out loud and don't let anyone discourage you.

[succubusxo]

Don't let anyone discourage you in your writing. Good writing is a matter of opinion. I've read books that I thought were horrible whereas the person next to me thought it was the most brillinat book ever. I've also read books that i've absolutely loved and the person next to me tells me its a horrible book. Just because others don't like your writing, it doesn't mean it's bad! Keep on writing and writing and writing. If you enjoy it, it doesn't matter what others think. Don't listen to jerks like that who give you negative comments and don't even bother telling you how your story could be better. Those people are not worth your time and your feelings. If they don't put the time into properly telling you you don't write well by telling you how to improve it, you shouldnt give them any of your time. I've always been rather weak when taking critisism. You've just gotta try to not let it bother you, and keep on doing what it is that you love.

[hiddenneggs]

Unfortunately, some people simply won't limit themselves to constructive criticism. Happens all the time in "real life" too, but the internet allows some folks the "courage" of being faceless.

In order to get the constructive criticism you want, though, you may have to put up with the other.

I think the proper response to that particular critique is "Thank you. Putz." (Though it may be better to keep that response in your head.)

[Xil]

There's a little irony in someone making commentary on someone elses writing and then using chatspeak.

I wouldn't listen, Ginger.

[ahoteinrun]

Even the best writers, artists, poets... etc take criticism for their work. It happens. The best thing you can do is to ignore it, and not ever partake in behaviour like it yourself.
Remember Thumper from the movie Bambi?

"If you can't say anything nice... don't say anything at all!"

Smart bunny that one eh wot?

[Fiddelysquat]

To be frank, if you really have your heart set on writing, you have to learn to take not only constructive criticism, but downright cruelty. Have you read some of the reviews that critics give? They're positively vicious.

Bottom line is that you could be the best writer in history, but not everyone will like your work. If you cave after one bad review, you're throwing in the towel and letting the critics win.

Know this: Nobody remembers a critic after they're gone, but people remember the authors they lambasted forever.

[ahoteinrun]

Know this: Nobody remembers a critic after they're gone, but people remember the authors they lambasted forever.

Actually, people remember quite a few critics. We have long discussions in a few of my classes about art critics... but hey... maybe thats just a new thing.

[Fiddelysquat]

Know this: Nobody remembers a critic after they're gone, but people remember the authors they lambasted forever.

Actually, people remember quite a few critics. We have long discussions in a few of my classes about art critics... but hey... maybe thats just a new thing.

(I mean literary critics, dear. Although a few literature know-it-alls may be able to rattle off some names, people will recognize the name "Charles Dickens" over any one of those bums any day of the week.)

[Alisquid]

To be frank, if you really have your heart set on writing, you have to learn to take not only constructive criticism, but downright cruelty. Have you read some of the reviews that critics give? They're positively vicious.

Bottom line is that you could be the best writer in history, but not everyone will like your work. If you cave after one bad review, you're throwing in the towel and letting the critics win.

Know this: Nobody remembers a critic after they're gone, but people remember the authors they lambasted forever.

Amen. I understand it's hard to take, but it is a fact of life for a writer.

But critics can spell. Just ignore people like this.

[smudgeoffudge]

Hey, we all have different styles of writing and everyone has a different idea of what is good. I mean, there are some shows that stay on the air for years or some books that are insanely popular that some people get and some people think is dumb. You just can never be too sure what people will like. I hear some songs on the radio that I almost instantly love and some I almost instantly hate and wonder why anyone would like. But well, we are all different. The only suggestions I can offer is try to make your stories believeable. That is, even sci fi has to be believable to some point. You may realize that such things would never happen in our world, but for a while you may believe that there was or is a world that something would happen in. When you write, give lots of descriptions about the surroundings. The more descriptive it is, I think the more people can see it in their mind. I've read some books that go a little overboard describing things so much that once you see the place in your mind in great detail, you forget why you wanted to see it to begin with. So there is a fine line between being descriptive and too descriptive. You don't want to bore people with too much decription but if you give too little, the it is hard to imagine the place. I tend to really get into books when I read, and a little decription goes a long way with me. And given the right amount I can build up my version of the world in my mind. It is also good to give decriptions of what people are doing as the talk. If they look deeply into someone's eyes, or pause for breath, or pase, or gesture. Whatever they are doing is great, instead of just saying " he said." "she said."

I'd rather read something like this:

Jason stopped to tie his shoe, the hot pavement beneath is feet giving off a faint tar scent. Already he could feel the sweat beading on his nose. He should have gone jogging earlier in the day, when the air was cooler and the birds were beginning their songs. The tree-lined street where he lived was perfect for jogging in the early morning."

Than this:

Jason stopped to tie his shoe. It was hot and he thought to himself that he should have gone jogging earlier.

[Igg]

It'd get to me too- I am very thin skinned. But clearly this person is not an expert, with their delightful use of chatspeak and describing a piece of writing as 'dumb'

[TDG]

I'll let you know a secret, the internet is full of New Member, spammers and people who think they're cool by insulting others. You're critic falls into all three categories.