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August 4, 2012

HELP!

I need your input, badly.  So badly I'm writing this impromptu style and may or may not proofread. (My apologies.)  Here's the dilemma:  I need to know who was in the wrong, if anyone.

I participate in an online critiquing website and am generally happy with it and love everyone there.  I try hard to keep my tit for tat even by returning every crit.  I feel bad when I get feedback and never return the favor.  I recently got the rare chance to take a few minutes and return a crit.  The story was not all that good and I added a few comments that, in retrospect, could have explained my ideas better.  I would have given it a poor grade and send the automatic "Thank you for critiquing my story." message and left it at that.  The message I got back was something along the lines of "Thanks for taking the time, but you shouldn't have bothered."

I'm still building up that thick skin and this hit a thin patch.  Was I wrong?  Was she wrong?  Neither? Both?  Please tell me what you think so I can stop racking my brain and get back to writing.  I would greatly appreciate it.

5 comments:

  1. The person who replied didn't want a negative critic. Some people are like that, they think that their writing is so great that everybody likes it. If something bad it written about it, they throw a huge hiss fit (like a toddler who is use to getting their own way). Just ignore that person and be on your way

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  2. I wouldn't worry about it. Even if they're not happy with your comments, they should still thank you for the time and effort you put into trying to make their story better. If you feel like you could have explained yourself more, then maybe next time do so. Don't beat yourself up about it. Move on and get writing!

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    1. Thanks! I tend to beat myself up over every little thing and sometimes I just need someone to point it out for me.

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  3. IF you're in a critique group, you'll probably get some negative feedback now and then. The author should have understood that. Just forget it and go on.

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  4. Based on the link in the top right I'm assuming you use Critique Circle? If you run into this problem again, consider checking out Scribophile. It's similar to Critique Circle but more laid back, in my opinion, allowing for greater feedback on your work.

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