A small rant.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 2:02 AM

Why do people go so out of their way to critique stuff for people that don't want it critiqued? If someone asks for their work to be critiqued, fine. But not everyone posts their work on the site and wants to get better.

Some people just want to have fun writing. And sometimes others ruin this for them. It makes me so angry.

You can't possibly know if someone has a mental or emotional disorder. How old they are or anything. Do you really expect a 12 year old writer on the site to want to improve and handle critique well (If you're this age, no offence, just an example) or perhaps somebody with a mental disorder, (yes I know a couple) or how about someone that suffers from depression and just wants to vent?

And then they say "if you're posting your work except critiques on the internet. Life's not fair, and blah blah blah." It honestly frustrates me.

No one made YOU queen of Fanfiction. It's not your duty to critique everyone you meet. Sure, when people tyep liek thiis, it bothers me. But unless someone asks for critique I'm not going to give it. So why do you waste your breath on people that don't want it?

As I said, it's the internet, you can't know what someone's going through, how sensitive they are or anything.

Save your critique for beta reading, or for people that want/ask for it. It's a waste of your time and the readers.

asi • 30 April 2012 at 2:12 AM

Yeah, when I review on Fanfic, I only do it if I liked it 😋
I've only got positive reviews, but eh, I'm not twelve ^w^
Here I guess I tend to just say my honest opinion if I don't really like it ._. I should stop X3

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 2:15 AM

@asi

It just drives me insane. If someone wants to be critiqued, and they say so in an Author's Note, that's fine.

But not everyone on the site is really a 'writer'

I'm not. I'm a... (what's the word?) not sure. But I just like getting ideas down, and sharing them.

I've heard people say "well if you want to be a writer," but that's the thing. Lots of people just post for fun. Not everyone is seeking a writing career.


And to anyone wondering, no I did not get critiqued. I just witnessed someone else get their feelings hurt. (They are 13 and DO suffer from a mental disorder, and it made me feel so terrible to see) It got me thinking about this.

Not everyone needs/wants critiques. It's made me think about myself, too.

Unless I'm in charge of a roleplay or something... It's not my place to critique someone else (even if it's just spelling) unless they ask.

As much as I love to critique. I'll save it for Beta reading or when individuals ask. 😊

plushie • 30 April 2012 at 2:16 AM

I hate it when people always correct me. Or say I'm terrible grammar or spelling. I'm 10 and still going through primary school.

That's what I have to say (:

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 2:17 AM

@plushie

Lol. My excuse is that English is my second language, which it is. But I try not to make 'excuses' even if it's the truth. I just try and accept it and go on. I'm 18. I'm supposed to be super mature. I'm not.

touch • 30 April 2012 at 2:30 AM

@april__

I know people who like to critique other people, and even though I don't think it's very nice critiques and criticism can help.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 2:34 AM

@touch

Not everyone wants help. Plain and simple.

If someone asks for it, by all means.

If someone that roleplayed on here asked for my honest opinion, you can bet I'd give a full detailed PM about it. In fact, I'd love to. Not that many on here would love what I have to say.

But I won't do it unless someone asks or tells me their ultimate dream is to be a writer. Then they NEED the critique.

asi • 30 April 2012 at 4:05 AM

@April__ I'd kind of like to be a writer, at least part time ^w^
But, lol, that's what editors are for XD
Though, I wouldn't mind being one of those either...
I should say somewhere I'd like to be critiqued 😋 Meh.

@Plushie You're really good for your age 😊 Don't listen to the idiots >:]

snowrosehell • 30 April 2012 at 4:35 AM

@april__ - I know how it feels. THAT also frustrates me as well. Especially, when I think how the writer would take it. Every time I read the reviews of the story. I actually don't like people who says words so bluntly and criticize other people's work which suppose 'to help them get better' but, they're not.
They should also have at least consider.

Although, I'm a bit like @asi . xD


@plushie - It's good that you started writing for your age. Don't mind them. Just let your heart out on your stories and don't mind other people who criticize your work. I think, you should put in something like 'I know and I'm aware that there maybe wrong grammars or misspelled words here so, don't have to repeat it.' I used to write that in. Lol xD Think of the others who loved or liked your stories, that'll help you to move on. That really helps. 😸

Just an opinion. 😊

stellalunagirl • 30 April 2012 at 4:55 AM

@plushie

Well if someone doesn't correct you then you might not learn? Take the criticism on-board and not make the mistakes again so people won't correct you all the time.

@april__

I understand your frustration but criticism constructive or bad WILL come if your post your works online or show it to anyone.

It's just like showing your piece of art to your class. Some will like it, some won't. I think though, that if you DON'T want ANY bad criticism then DON'T show it to anyone.

And further more, some people do get really annoyed when they see grammatical/spelling or syntax errors. Most of the time they AREN'T trying to put that person down, rather HELP them. And its GOOD help whether they dislike being corrected or not.

And really, you can't really say people don't want critique, you don't really know what goes through their minds exactly.

It's not really anyone's place to say who should critique or not. Again, if you show it to people or put it out for people to see, there's BOUND to be crit, good or bad.

plushie • 30 April 2012 at 5:03 AM

@Stellalunagirl well, it gets annoying sometimes. Especially if it's the same person (not including family, teaches or class mates). And I'm talking about egg cave.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 5:06 AM

Sigh. This is bleh.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 5:06 AM

Sorry, I have no idea why it double posted. I thought that was blocked. O.O

Either way, computer glitched and made an extra post of the same thing I said in the post before.

stellalunagirl • 30 April 2012 at 5:07 AM

@plushie

I repeat: take it onboard and try not to make the mistake again. xD

Besides, people are just trying to help. Just tell them that you're trying to remember ect and they'll understand.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 5:08 AM

@stellalunagirl

No one has to take it 'on board.'

If I wanted to type with mistakes, that's my right. But thankfully I care about grammar and spelling.

stellalunagirl • 30 April 2012 at 5:13 AM

@april__

I understand and I'm not trying to start a debate. I was merely expressing my opinion and I am sorry if I'm stepping on any toes or offending anyone.

Again, if someone shares their work, they are going to get comments about it. Good and bad. Of course people can just share it, but there ARE going to be comments about it.

People also can't always be aware or know if someone has a mental disorder or not, especially if its on the internet.

Also, just pointing out this IS a public forum and also I DO have the right to express my OWN opinion.

And again, I'm not trying to start a debate. 😊

writing • 30 April 2012 at 5:21 AM

@april__ Just coming in to say that by suggesting advice to people who write criticism such as 'just let them be', you are also criticizing the criticizers and doing the exact thing which you don't want people to do. Everyone has the freedom to do what they want, so you can have your opinion and so can everyone else.

If people want to criticize, there is nothing stopping them, if the person posted their work publicly online. If you post a rant, there is nothing stopping anyone else from posting in it, because it has stopped being 'yours' as soon as it was posted on EggCave.

Ultimately, everything said and done has the potential to upset or offend somebody, and you can never tell through the internet whether it will. I'm sorry about your cousin, but it's just an unfortunate case.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 5:28 AM

I am fully aware nothing is stopping those people. I am merely expressing my opinion that I feel it's not their place to 'help' if someone doesn't want it.

I really just want to rant. Not debate. 😋 We're all entitled to our opinions.

stellalunagirl • 30 April 2012 at 5:38 AM

@april__

The last thing I want to start is some big argument. So I sent a PM. I'd rather this topic stay argument free.

There has been a lot of drama on the forums because of disagreements ect

Agree to disagree.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 5:40 AM

@stellalunagirl

Thank you.

snowrosehell • 30 April 2012 at 5:58 AM

@april__ - I understand. I think @stellalunagirl and @writing are just also expressing their opinion(s) about what you posted and nothing personal. They aren't in for a debate just wish to help on a little and same with the rest... so, I guess ? And yes, you are ranting so that's why people are here to hear you out. 😊

-
I'm sorry for interfering. I hope I didn't offend or hurt anyone here. I didn't mean to hurt or offend in a way and I am really sorry. 😊

evolutary • 30 April 2012 at 6:02 AM

@April__

I think constructive criticism helps people, but when people say it so harshly or without stating how to improve, it gets on my nerves. If I don't like something, I usually just keep it to myself and forget about it. Those excuses, similar to the one you stated, are extremely annoying.

I've been reading through different sites lately, and unfortunately at least everything I read there's going to be that particular troll/'critic' out there. I get frustrated at our human race too, it's amazing how it's turned out. >/>

Oh and at your status; *hugs you*. c:

balletninja • 30 April 2012 at 6:08 AM

Freedom of speech is a two way street.
I am just happy we can express our opinion's.

snowrosehell • 30 April 2012 at 6:23 AM

@balletninja - Yes, I agree! ^-^

touch • 30 April 2012 at 6:39 AM

@april__

If you don't want critiques, say at the bottom that you don't want any critisicm/critiques. If you don't say anything, people are going to assume that you're open to critiscm/critiques. O_O

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 10:33 AM

@touch

Problem is... When people say that... It makes them more likely to get flamed by trolls and such.

phoenixfox • 30 April 2012 at 12:03 PM

@april__

I completely understand where you are coming from. There was a girl in my Accounting class who needed some help. She brought her computer to class with her to take notes. She asked for some help because she didn't understand the instructor (If I didn't know the material so well, I wouldn't understand either). In any case, an older woman in the class jumped down her throat for asking for assistance and told her she needed to get off facebook and pay attention. This brought the girl to tears and she ran outside crying. To be fair, No, she should not have been playing on facebook, but Yes, the instructor is hard to learn from.

The older woman lacked tact and is a rather confrontational person. I honestly believe I am smarter than her. I have gotten more questions right and am studying material over her head. She can't stand it. Some critics can't take criticism...

The younger girl, I ran into a Gigi's cupcakes and inquired if she were in my Accounting course. She said she was in dreadful need of assistance so I have been tutoring her ever since. Her grades have pulled up and she is understanding the material.

Be mindful and courteous when addressing someone about their personal work, if you point out flaws, provide balance by stating what you like about it.

shelby • 30 April 2012 at 12:50 PM

@april__

(I only read your first post so I don't know what anyone else has said)

I dislike when people rudely address another person's spelling because it "bugs them".
I agree with your point that you don't know how old the person is or if they have a learning disability.
Or if English isn't their first language, therefore they may have difficulties with grammar and spelling.

I could understand if you honestly didn't understand what someone meant and you were asking nicely if they could please explain more, but there is no need to attack someone.

There is a wise rabbit, Thumper, that once said,
"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".
Sure, I'm obsessive compulsive, and a grammar or spelling errors may bug me, but I'm not going to correct the person. It could have just been a simple typo.

But Pish Posh.
If it's here on Egg Cave that I see it and it's a rude and crude attack on the other person, I just report it and ignore the person.
No need to start another argument and make the issue worse.

april__ • 30 April 2012 at 3:15 PM

@shelby

I understand what you mean.

Now that I have calmed down, I can sort of see both sides. But there is a way of saying 'critique' in a NICE way. Providing balance, like someone else said in here.

If you say a bad thing about a story/post/art whatever, make sure to say something good, too.

But some people do think they've been appointed Queen/King of the writing world, and act all arrogant when providing feedback, like they know everything.

*sigh* I can't change the world, or the people in the world but I can change how I react to people's work and after seeing someone I care about so hurt by something someone said will definitely be careful about what I post and how I provide feedback.

And yes, Thumper! What wise words. 😊

And by the way! I love your featured. I'm working so hard to get mine to even hatch, lol.


@phoenixfox

Want to help me do accounting? LOL! Just kidding. I think that's actually very nice of you, and I agree with what you've posted. 😊

dreamer • 30 April 2012 at 3:34 PM

@April__ I have to completely agree with you here.

Being a 12-year-old writer myself, my writing isn't perfect. However, for several years of school, teachers have been saying that I have amazing gifts and talents in writing. I don' want to write a book, so much work with editting and such, but when an awesome story comes to mind, I write and write and write, and I can't stop writing. People kinda EXPECT me to come up with some long, drawn-out explanation of myself, so you know what I do? I give them what they want.

Personally, I hate criticism, because I already have enough critics in my life. Maybe my grammar or my seplling isn't perfect, but I get extremely sensitive when people bash me against my will. You wouldn't believe how upset it makes me! And I understand that little kids are on here, and that they don't care too much on gramamr. I've seen kids on here my age though, who had AWFUL grammar. I won't complain, but they COULD try harder... Or maybe I just have high standards. X'D