Constructive Not Destructive Criticism

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Constructive Not Destructive Criticism

Posted on June 26th, 2008 in Writing by Glynis Smy

For those who have been hurt by the weak words of the destructive critic.

The need to write can burn deep inside, finally the flame bursts through the damp walls of doubt and courage allows you to consider sharing your work with others.

Maybe you have written it in seconds, held onto it for years or taken a lifetime to write it, what you have now is the courage to share.

You do a bit of research and find the place that suits you, the place to unveil your work, and for example Triond is your chosen place.

Your email shows that your work has been accepted for publication and where they have placed it for viewing, the excitement mounts, you click on the link and there it is.

The background shading suits the theme, it looks good and you feel good, you scroll down reading and hoping a fix is not needed, no it looks fine.

What are your thoughts and actions?

Find this person and leave comments on their articles in much the same language as they used on yours?
Reply in your comment box and start a verbal war with this person?
Ignore it ?
Cry?
Give up writing?

STOP!

Never give up over destructive criticism and don’t give the author of the comment the satisfaction by retaliating.

Don’t cry, your keyboard won’t like it!

Use only the constructive comments to your advantage, take onboard what they say, can you improve or fix your work? Do not linger over those who cannot be bothered to explain why they don’t like your work, those that use comment boxes to try and shock with words that mean nothing.

Take the hurt and use it in constructive energy, write about it, move on, become a stronger writer but do not give up.

If you feel you have let your writing down by poor spelling etc, make friends and ask for their input but never let the destructive take over from the constructive.

For the destructive commenter, you make others stronger writers and make yourself look weak; this can be off putting for potential readers of your work, therefore stop and think before you try to be clever with your destructive abuse, you may end up only destroying yourself.

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15 Responses to “Constructive Not Destructive Criticism”

Arie Uittenbogaard
June 26th, 2008 at 3:56 am

Hear, hear! Lovely piece. Very encouraging, actually. You’re very right, if you gotta write, you gotta write, and bad critiques shouldn’t keep you from it.
Christy Tuller
June 26th, 2008 at 10:49 am

Great article! I agree with Arie, VERY encouraging! I have just started here and I am always nervous about what people will think of my writing. There will always be someone out there who doesn’t like what you wrote, but it is not the end of the world! Thanks Glynis, for writing a much needed article!
Glynis
June 26th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Thanks Arie and Christy
I was inspired by a writer on Triond who poured their heart out after someone was very abusive about their work, the only thing they had done wrong was used translated English, hardly a crime when some folk are taught pure English and still can’t get it right! I am open for critics but not abuse.
Ruby Hawk
June 26th, 2008 at 4:55 pm

You are so right about going on with your work in spite of what someone has said. Just ignore the comment and go on to your next piece. There are some who like to make nasty comments but don’t give them their kicks by counter attacking. I find the people on Triond are very nice and helpful. I was at first surprised by that fact, and now I just appreciate it.
Mystical Whitewolf
June 26th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

Very well done. I think your article is great. Look forward to reading more of your writings.
Rachel Faye
June 26th, 2008 at 11:06 pm

I completely agree with you and all the other writers here. Constructive is better then destructive… wonder why some people take pleasure to be mean??

Great article!
Crystal Tankersley
June 28th, 2008 at 9:31 am

Oh my how timely is this for me!!! I have just encountered a situation where I had to chose my words very carefully. I totally agree with all that you are saying and this is a much needed article and a must read for all of us new as well as old writers. And there are going to be times when you feel like the article you are reading is damning enough and irresponsible enough that something must be said in the comments section. But it like my grandmother always says; you catch more flies with honey and its not nearly as aggravating for you. She was right in that there is a way to go about everything and save some face for someone else. If you find yourself in a situation where you feel you have to disagree the best thing to do is be responsible yourself with your own words and dont get personal. Instead find a good triond friend and vent like hell to them..by the way Glynis you can expect something in your inbox from me very soon lol! Great article and well written! I am stumbling this!
Glynis
June 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am

Thanks Crystal! I wait for your vent with interest. I do think it is unfair to say spiteful cruel things about an article, words are powerful and if used correctly can say enough without creating a hostile comment box. I am pleased to say the person who’s hurting from others has contacted me, so I hope I can help them.
Nick Kenney
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:46 am

Very good advice, Glynis! No one should ever let a cruel comment stop them. People that enjoy hurting others aren’t worth a second thought.
Juliane Elliott
July 4th, 2008 at 1:03 am

Very helpful piece!
Juliane Elliott
July 4th, 2008 at 1:06 am

Don’t be afraid to go to “content” and “comments” and delete the offensive comment.
Sometimes weirdos lurk in the comment section and it is a way of having some control as an author on Triond.
Glynis
July 4th, 2008 at 1:41 am

Thanks Nick and Juliane, I agree Juliane that we can take back that control by deleting the undesirable
Ancient Aspie
September 21st, 2008 at 7:48 am

Once in a while it’s good to answer a destructive critic — if you can do it calmly and in a way that would be useful to other readers.
Allison Jae
September 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

I love your articles on writing. Everyone new to Triond should read them, even old pros can learn a thing or two. I myself have gotten a few bad reviews, if not here on other sites. The first time it happened I cried, because it was a story I worked so hard on and was very proud of. Well after I dried my tears I looked at the writing of the commentor. I realized his stories were the total opposite of what I was writing. So I figured, he was just not into that kind of fiction, so I decided not to take it personally. I’m still working on that story, and the bad comments just gave me the drive to continue with the book. So I agree with your advice. Bad reviews, don’t take it personally. Use it to your advantage and continue on. Thanks for another great article.
Lucas Dié
November 11th, 2008 at 10:42 am

That’s a grand piece!

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