Worst Criticisms You've Ever Received

Discussion in 'Revision and Editing' started by Jillian Oliver, Jan 23, 2019.

  1. TheEndOfMrsY

    TheEndOfMrsY Active Member

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    If I'm being honest, I have only allowed people on here to read anything I've written. So the criticism I get is always constructive. No one on here has ever made me feel like I should give up and it's only given me things to work with and improve on.

    I did get a criticism off my Dad a few weeks ago though.
    I told him I was going to enter in a few creative writing competitions to see how I compared with where I was at now.
    He knew I liked writing but he has never read anything I've done.
    He said "I could beat you in a creative writing competition"
    He was being deadly serious and I only got annoyed because he's never asked to read anything of mine and he's never written anything himself, or showed that he was even interested in writing.

    Saying that on my university graduation day he said "I could have gotten a degree" so I don't think I should pay much mind to his opinion realy ha!
     
  2. AlderHeart09

    AlderHeart09 New Member

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    When I was in college, I took a creative writing class. A fellow student who was deeply (some said too) into silent films complained that I had no character that liked silent films and that my story was therefore, “bereft of any artistic talent, and I would be better off flipping burgers because that was about the extent of my intelligence.”, I actually did work in fast food at the time and I was more miffed at his snobbery towards my coworkers than his criticism of my writing.
     
  3. big soft moose

    big soft moose An Admoostrator Admin Staff Supporter Contributor Community Volunteer

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    tell him to open an account and enter our next contest -- then you'll see if he can walk it like he talks it
     
  4. EFMingo

    EFMingo A Modern Dinosaur Supporter Contributor

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    Good stuff. God, i love open challenges. Reminds me of when we "settle disputes" in the military. Some of the best time.
     
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  5. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    That's awful! Parents are supposed to have your back and be in your corner. What he said says more about his insecurity than your talent, TBH. He feels threatened by you and what you might achieve.

    You're in the right place here. There are other forums that work purely on popularity and there's a lot of insincerity when it comes to critiquing other people's writing. Unlike them, we don't pull our punches here and there's no babying going on, so you'll grow a thick skin quickly and also grow as a writer. Both of those qualities are required when you make a go of it as an author, IMO.
     
  6. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    :supershock:Talk about a small world view; simply because your story failed to have something to do with the astonishingly tiny niche of silent films, they said your work was rubbish and you were too! I hope you didn't pay too much attention to them or their opinions? If that's their criterion, they really need to have their head rewired.
     
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  7. AlderHeart09

    AlderHeart09 New Member

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    Oh, I really didn’t take his criticism seriously, like I said I was more hurt that he insulted me and my coworkers. Considering he came in everyday, it seemed a particularly stupid criticism. Anyways, most of the other criticism I received was about style, and grammar and such, and while I may not have always agreed with it, it was relevant to writing.
     
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  8. Homer Potvin

    Homer Potvin A tombstone hand and a graveyard mind Staff Supporter Contributor

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    I've got an 800 degree grill you could flip that asshole across a few times if you want.
     
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  9. Mark Burton

    Mark Burton Fried Egghead Contributor

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    Don't convert him into a martyr! We've already got St Lawrence.
     
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  10. Betchern0t

    Betchern0t New Member

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    the most notable - on a batchelor's degree essay:

    "Got is a weed in the garden of the english language"
     
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  11. Catriona Grace

    Catriona Grace Mind the thorns Contributor Contest Winner 2022

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    Lord, if we didn't love them... :rolleyes:

    Years ago upon hearing of something I'd recently published, an acquaintance remarked, "With computers, anyone can write a novel now." I almost laughed out loud. She is a visual artist, so instead I answered, "Isn't technology great? With Etch-a Sketch, anyone can be an artist now." This is also the woman who thought carpel tunnel syndrome was a made-up problem until she developed it herself.
     
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  12. GeoffFromBykerGrove

    GeoffFromBykerGrove Active Member

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    NME was always good for a brutal review back in the day. My favourite was the Shed Seven greatest hits compilation which had a two word review: “shit seven”. And the review of the band Hurricane #1 that had the headline “blistering shite-fest”.

    I also remember the discussion between my old lecturer and someone in a seminar.
    Student: Spinoza defines God as something, then describes something else, and says God exists. It’s like him saying God is cheese so the universe is all cheese toasties.
    Lecturer: you’re absurd.
    Student: I don’t think my point is absurd.
    Lecturer: no. You’re absurd.

    [edit] I forgot this was about the worst criticism we have received. I am unsure. I don’t let people see my work. I wrote 17000 words of a PhD, got feedback and didn’t read it because I was too scared. Dropped out, deleted the file. Philosophy is a brutal environment. Not supportive, all ego. I’m really looking forward to an honest, supportive but critical environment. I can say that from what I’ve read, this is a good place for it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2022
  13. Vince Higgins

    Vince Higgins Curmudgeon. Contributor

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    Being dismissed by anyone who reads fewer than two sentences of my shit.
     
  14. Catriona Grace

    Catriona Grace Mind the thorns Contributor Contest Winner 2022

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    I'm reading The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe. It mentions St. Lawrence and the grill, and about two hours ago was the first time I ever heard of him. Now this...
     
  15. Also

    Also Student of Humanity Supporter

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    Jung at heart.
     

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