I don't think you're ever unduly harsh. From what I've seen, you're someone who has strong opinions and isn't afraid to state them (which is, from my view, admirable). Unfortunately, not everyone takes it that way. They don't read it in the spirit it was given.
*wry smile*
Like you said, most seem to want praise (be it squeeing or general 'I liked it' sorts of comments); they aren't really looking for thorough critiques, especially not if it means they'll have to rewrite anything.
I am not of that camp.
Of course I'd prefer it if people liked my writings and said so. Who wouldn't? *GRIN* But if I've taken the time to write at all, I want it to be good, first and foremost. If that means taking a stronger, more critical look at what I've written and finding a better, more eloquent or creative way to express myself and what's going on in the story for each character, then I welcome feedback that will give me the tools to achieve those goals.
I appreciate hearing balanced feedback -- the positive and the critical -- because if it's all negative, then I start to wonder if I'm any good or why I'm bothering to write at all. *smiles* But I wouldn't ever want someone to post only positive things. If that's all they see, of course that's lovely to hear from the poster. However, if they notice something that doesn't work (and I somehow completely missed the boat on it), if I'm too close to the writing and am not pulling back enough to see where things need to be more concise or more demonstrative, if the story needs more shape or the characters need more dimension, if anything's confusing -- I need to know those things. I want to know those things.
So, I guess my point is, please don't ever think you need to censor yourself with me. :)
(And I know what you mean about the obvious spelling or grammatical errors. Some of those drive me to distraction. I can't read the story, it's so bad.)
As for the xf_book_club, I think for me it just boiled down to personal time constraints. I overextended myself, and didn't have anything left for solid contribution. I don't like to just post 'that was good, I liked it' sort of comments. If I'm going to post my thoughts, I like to be thorough. I think I just didn't have any mental energy left at the end of the day to give as much as I wanted. I'm slowly but surely catching up these days, so I may have more time and energy to participate. I'd like to go back through the club's postings and read those pieces, then I may have more perspective in which to comment on what might help invigorate the group.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-09-08 08:20 pm (UTC)*wry smile*
Like you said, most seem to want praise (be it squeeing or general 'I liked it' sorts of comments); they aren't really looking for thorough critiques, especially not if it means they'll have to rewrite anything.
I am not of that camp.
Of course I'd prefer it if people liked my writings and said so. Who wouldn't? *GRIN* But if I've taken the time to write at all, I want it to be good, first and foremost. If that means taking a stronger, more critical look at what I've written and finding a better, more eloquent or creative way to express myself and what's going on in the story for each character, then I welcome feedback that will give me the tools to achieve those goals.
I appreciate hearing balanced feedback -- the positive and the critical -- because if it's all negative, then I start to wonder if I'm any good or why I'm bothering to write at all. *smiles* But I wouldn't ever want someone to post only positive things. If that's all they see, of course that's lovely to hear from the poster. However, if they notice something that doesn't work (and I somehow completely missed the boat on it), if I'm too close to the writing and am not pulling back enough to see where things need to be more concise or more demonstrative, if the story needs more shape or the characters need more dimension, if anything's confusing -- I need to know those things. I want to know those things.
So, I guess my point is, please don't ever think you need to censor yourself with me. :)
(And I know what you mean about the obvious spelling or grammatical errors. Some of those drive me to distraction. I can't read the story, it's so bad.)
As for the xf_book_club, I think for me it just boiled down to personal time constraints. I overextended myself, and didn't have anything left for solid contribution. I don't like to just post 'that was good, I liked it' sort of comments. If I'm going to post my thoughts, I like to be thorough. I think I just didn't have any mental energy left at the end of the day to give as much as I wanted. I'm slowly but surely catching up these days, so I may have more time and energy to participate. I'd like to go back through the club's postings and read those pieces, then I may have more perspective in which to comment on what might help invigorate the group.
As they say, I have friended you.
Delightful. Mind if I friend you back? :)