Thought for the Day

[leethet]

Though I hope I'll have at least one more, as it's early yet.

A lot of people think they want constructive criticism. Until they get it. Then they realize it's not a synonym for unthinking praise.

Comments

[leethet.livejournal.com]

I am not Yoda like. My sentences in correct order are. :-)

I was just reading this story on the L.A. Times and for some reason I was reminded how often we will say about ourselves "I'm this" or "I'm that," and one of those things is "I'm open to criticism." Then when the person is criticized and lashes out, and you call them on it, the response is "But that wasn't really criticism, it was this-other-thing-I'm-allowed-to-be-mad-about." If we believe ourselves to be one way, and disallow all evidence to the contrary - well, we're perfect, then, aren't we?

Because I know people like that, I think about this - and you can bet I look in the mirror, because I have a tendency to minimize my own flaws or justify my own behavior too! So, you know, makes ya think.

[elmey.livejournal.com]

It can be painful to learn how to process criticism, that's true. I can accept it better in some areas than in others.

In the realm of fanfic, I've come to believe the reaction is often a function of why people write. Some are fulfilling needs that have nothing to do with wanting to become a better writer, or even communicating better for that matter. So while they might say they're open to criticism, when it comes they don't look at it as a critique of the writing but of them personally. I always tiptoe until I know the person well.

Why they say they're open to criticism I don't know.

[leethet.livejournal.com]

I think they know they're "supposed" to say it, and be it, but many people find their first taste of real literary criticism quite a blow. I judge who's going to improve by whether they get past that ouch moment and go "Okay, I see your point here - what do you think about this?" rather than "What do YOU know?"