As a part of a writing community like YWS (Yes, this is another Young Writers Society related blog entry) I see a lot of interaction between writers and reviewers. Especially since I've recently been made a Junior Moderatior and have been given modly powers over the fiction forums, and have to make sure people are being nice and obeying rules and the sort.
The whole reviewing thing typically goes pretty well:
-A writer posts a work they worked very hard on, and are quite proud of.
-A reviewer reviews the work, giving some praise and a lot of constructive criticism.
-The writer says "Thank you, good sir. You have commented constructively on my story/poem/script and now I shall take your suggestions into consideration so my talent may improve."
Unfortunately, this is not how it always goes. Sometimes, we have what I like to call Bad Reviewer Syndrome:
-A writer posts a work they worked very hard on, and are quite proud of. (Same as before)
-A reviewer reviews the work in one of two ways:
1. "OMG U ROCK I LUV U THIS IS AWSUM MARRY ME?!?!"
2. "Uh, you suck. Why on earth are you posting on here? You should go in a hole and die."
-The writer is confused, and perhaps a little hurt, but just ignores the review because the reviewer is obviously cracked and doesn't understand what YWS is for.
This is a lot easier to deal with, and something I see a lot as a JM. Usually it's the first one, though it can be the second. I can easily send the reviewer a messege and give them tips on reviewing well.
Then, we have what I like to call Bad Writer Syndrome. Now this doesn't mean the writing is bad, not at all, it means...well just watch.
-A writer posts a work they spent a lot of time on, and are far too proud of. They expect praise, a lot of praise. In their cracked little sunshine world, they are the best writer ever. Nothing they do is wrong. Everyone will love them forever.
-A reviewer comes along and sees the work isn't as good as it could be. The reviewer takes time out of their busy day to give contstructive criticism on the work, hoping to help the writer improve.
-The writer responds in a way something like this: "Oh, God, what is wrong with you? This thing is brilliant! You're just stupid. I hate you. I didn't want criticism. I put this here to get praise. AND ONLY PRAISE!!! You can just [rest of comment censored]."
*face/palm*
It doesn't make sense to me. Really it doesn't. In a place like YWS, we thrive on constructive criticism to make us better, and some praise to make us feel good about ourselves. Plus, a good reviewer always finds something nice to say about the work.
People just seem to take constructive criticism as a personal attack. I don't understand it, but they do. Constructive criticism is mean to help not hurt. That's why it's called CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.
And that goes for anything. If someone is telling you something constructively, whatever the situation, you shouldn't react by bringing out your battle ax and kicking some ass. If they're intentionally trying to hurt you or make you feel terrible, then kick all the ass you want.
But constructive criticism is meant to help you. So listen to it!
Also, never expect praise from everyone. Not everyone is going to like you all the time, or ever for that matter. Praise doesn't do anything for you besides giving you an inflated sense of self. It can be good when you've really done something worth praising, but when you don't deserve praise then it doesn't help you at all. When you don't deserve praise, but people are praising you anyways because you bring out that battle ax whenever you get criticism, then they are just praising you because they don't want to die and not because they actually think you did anything great.
Deal with the constructive criticism when it comes (and please, use it to improve!!), and revel in the praise when you deserve it.
-Lauren-
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