Critisizm

Because the writing is personal to you, you probably take the criticism harder. Remember that everyone has opinions and because one person dislikes it, does not mean that someone else won't love it. Don't be too hard on your writing.

I have noticed that when someone gives me a hard critique, (grammar, structure, pointing out spelling errors, etc) I am very likely to thank and praise them for their keen insights.

I do not, nor ever have, and dare I say never shall, like it when someone attempts to render what I call a zero based critique. Ultimately the question they ask is: 'why should this story exist at all?' before taking my story apart piece by piece. I have had people tell me that my metaphors are 'awful' or 'tacky' and that 'nothing happens', or that it was 'lame'.

As far as Im concerned, one fool's opinions matter about as much as another's, opinions are just that after all. And one should never cast stones in a glass house, some of these very unprofessional review comments betray their own insecurities as I found their work to be riddled with errors as well.

Just ask yourself this, are they pointing out things that need to be corrected and are they offering suggestions? If not they are not doing you a service, they are doing you a diservice and using your thread as a soap box (like Im doing right now with your blog).

Its easy for me to perceive an attack on my work as a personal attack, because, well...its PERSONAL. However, if we want to publish something we must be willing to let it go as well. Also, some people cant tell the difference between constructive criticism and personal opinion thinly veiled as subjective criticism.

Also, a two line comment such as 'I liked it, it was cool' or 'I didnt like it, too boring for me' are not critiques and are an insight into the minds of some fellow forum members who are eager to just critique for posting rights.

Take everything with a grain of salt. Personal opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one.