Critics: The good and the bad

In response to a writing into the day we did in class about Peter Elbow's Believing Game, all I could think about is what I've always believed and been taught. And that is: critics can be amazing with feedback.

First off, I like to get the two separate types of critics labeled:

The first is the one everyone knows. This one is the group where you can get constructive criticism back about anything you put out there. They help advance your work into something better (most of the time).

An example of constructive criticism is so:

      Wow the plot to this has great potential! Sure you need to double-check some spelling and grammar but that's easily fixed with a beta. Also, on this website's format you should try making the paragraphs shorter (even though it's not something we're supposed to do on essays) - it's easier on the eyes. I think that as long as you don't push the relationship between these two characters too much then it should come out as possible. Just pace yourself and don't get trigger happy. Can't wait for the next chapter!


The second is one that everyone should ignore. To get an understanding of this, just look at what they're called on websites like fanfiction.net. They're called "flamers" and everyone ignores what they say.

An example of a "flamers" criticism is so:
    
     Your writing is crap. It doesn't even deserve to be found on this pitiful website. You can't spell for your life and you can't even figure out how to write a sentence correctly. The story itself sucks. I mean, what's the point of writing this? It doesn't even come close to being good. Those two characters are never realistically supposed to get together and it's just sick. Get a life and actually work on something you're good at.

.... It's kind-of obvious why websites have a way of reporting these flamers isn't it?

Even for writers trying to get a book published, sometimes they'll get flames back. People just have to know the difference and ignore the one's that lower your self-esteem.

Now, I've taken a Creative Writing class when I was in high school and it was one of the best classes I've ever taken. I learned so much in that class and one of the things I was taught was to get a tough-skin to rebound these flaming comments on my work. Yet, I also needed to make it a sponge that way I could absorb the constructive criticism that way I wouldn't just stay at one level of writing potential all my life. I need to hear how to make myself better from the second best (the first-best critics being our own selves).

This is personally what I need to become better at something (isn't that what we got when we worked on our rough drafts for English essays?). I don't know it everyone needs that but I always believed that it helps us so much into becoming a better writer/artist/music player... etc.

Again, create a spongey-shield and you should be fine.