Well said! Fortunately, when I edit people's creative writing, they tend to view my criticism as positive. Probably because they asked for it. Maybe if it was unsolicited they would have flinched. I definitely flinch when I don't solicit critique.
Great post, and great analogy Geno! Personally, have never understood the motivation behind boxing/fighting, but this made so much sense. When I was 17, two writing instructors basically gave me a tag-team beat down in front of the entire class 10 seconds into the first round, and I ended up with writer's block for 30+ years, so there you go. O.o I suppose you could say that wasn't really boxing after all, it was an assassination. But here I am, back in the ring... ;)
Troy, thanks for your comment. It seems like you and I have lived somewhat parallel lives. My writing beat down came at the hands of a friend during my junior year in high school. It took me more than 20 years to start writing again and even longer to share my work with anyone else. It sucks that we have to share this experience, but on the upside, it seems to have made both of us more compassionate and willing to help other writers. So, here's to the unintended positive consequences of the casual remarks of assholes.
Keep your gloves up and keep writing. You’re good at this shit.
Well said! Fortunately, when I edit people's creative writing, they tend to view my criticism as positive. Probably because they asked for it. Maybe if it was unsolicited they would have flinched. I definitely flinch when I don't solicit critique.
Nadia, thanks for taking the time to read my post and comment.
Great post, and great analogy Geno! Personally, have never understood the motivation behind boxing/fighting, but this made so much sense. When I was 17, two writing instructors basically gave me a tag-team beat down in front of the entire class 10 seconds into the first round, and I ended up with writer's block for 30+ years, so there you go. O.o I suppose you could say that wasn't really boxing after all, it was an assassination. But here I am, back in the ring... ;)
Troy, thanks for your comment. It seems like you and I have lived somewhat parallel lives. My writing beat down came at the hands of a friend during my junior year in high school. It took me more than 20 years to start writing again and even longer to share my work with anyone else. It sucks that we have to share this experience, but on the upside, it seems to have made both of us more compassionate and willing to help other writers. So, here's to the unintended positive consequences of the casual remarks of assholes.
Keep your gloves up and keep writing. You’re good at this shit.
Janet J. Sept 24
Don't know that I am qualified to critique your writing but you can be sure I'm " in your corner"!