When I was younger my father was the editor of a small regional magazine. It ran for twenty four issues with a circulation of around five hundred and this meant he spent more time with his early 90′s Amiga computer than my mother. But this in the grand scheme of this article, unfortunately, is largely irrelevant.
I used to enjoy going with him to the Post Office Box to collect contributions and submissions that were received between issues. He always used to grumble when there were less than normal as this meant he had to write more, but he made the point of telling me from an early age that people only write when they’ve got something to moan about.
And this, as it happens, has turned out to be so incredibly accurate. Just think of the amount of times recently that you have sat down for the sole purpose of exploring your own creativity. I like to think that I can use this blog as an outlet, but even so, the vast majority of my creative exploits are questionable in terms of whether I even intended on creating them in the first place!
I have come to the conclusion that it is almost a matter of provocation for people to write nowadays. There must be a clear cause or benefit attached to their work, or by expressing themselves. By this I refer to complaint letters, blog comments or criticism that does little to analyse the work of somebody, but serves as almost an attack on their doing it in the first place. And the concerning factor for myself is that you don’t have to look far to find it.
My gripe is not with criticism that highlights the shortcomings of an argument put forward, or which enlightens the writer to a different perspective that they have not considered. My annoyance level is frequently raised whilst I am casually browsing sites, and then start thinking about adding my own comments and criticism to what I’ve seen – often – I’m left bemused by the comments left by other readers. It actually amazes me that some people, who are possibly talented in their own right, will go out of their way to find fault or complaint with another’s work.
I see it this way: It is as though these individuals skip over from “analysis mode” immediately – and look to criticise from the outset. Surely it is like walking into a library, locating your least enjoyable subject aisle, leafing the pages of the books and adding pointless narrative to the notes pages at the back.
At this point I feel I must clarify my position. I wholeheartedly believe that feedback is the key to ones improvement, particularly in the sphere of writing in any form. After all, readers are the consumer, and if they don’t like what you’re producing and you also ignore their opinion – a career change may well be advisable. However, I do wonder how many good writers are swamped by poorly critiqued work. I wonder how many of them (or indeed *us?*) are strong enough to determine quite what to take from most of it.
And I say this because often ones work has not had the eye of an esteemed professor cast over it. A published author is unlikely to have dropped by to offer their expert advice. I am sure you see where I am going with this, so I shall not labour the point further.
Therefore: I invite you, the next time that you read a really good piece of writing somewhere online, to make sure you do add your views at the bottom. It need not be “high-brow” intellectual stimulation for the recipient, just an acknowledgement that you like what they’ve done or if something might be better another way will do. No doubt your words will be sandwiched between moaners and whiners, people who want to sell their wares and advertise their own work, but your worthy comment will reach the author and probably make their day.
I know when I get a bit of feedback, no matter how small, even if I don’t necessarily agree with it, it’s fantastic to have had your work appreciated, acknowledged and constructively criticised.
And my father was correct; writing is so much more easier when you have something to complain about!!
beautiful mindset. thank God that people like you exist. I too feel the same way because I read a lot and sometimes i do read the comments others have left, and they really look like personal attack, you will think that the so called “critic” wants from his/her heart that the writer stops writing.
is it some kind of professional tactic?
Trisha – I’m glad you enjoyed my piece. Whilst I have nothing other than observation to base my opinion upon, I just feel that sometimes people look to put down someone’s work rather than to help them develop it. Reading some comments, it’s almost like literary hit and run! I just don’t get the agenda behind some remarks you see littered around the web.
It’s always much easier to criticise someone than to offer positive feedback. Certainly in the UK it seems to be a way of life right now. And not just in writing.
On the other hand…I have come across a lot of comments on poetry on WordPress where every single comment is along the lines of ‘lovely poem’ or ‘ I like this’. I have yet to see someone giving proper feedback.
I enjoyed your balanced point of view here.
Jessica – I couldn’t agree more. The UK press has much to answer for in this respect. I feel most tabloid stories are just “gutter” stories that attack someone you couldn’t care less about, surrounding a subject that in the grand scheme of things is irrelevant. It is as though it is easier to attack something than to objectively analyse it and come to some sort of considered or balanced view. It’s either love or hate, no in between. The perverse thing is that I don’t understand why anyone would want to read something so heavily biased that they cannot come to their own informed opinion as a result of reading it. This “style” is so prevalent that is has found it’s way into the average person’s mindset of an appropriate way of approaching debate. Instead of discussing work so that one might gain something from it, even online wordpress commment boxes become inane shouting and slanging boxes on even the more cerebral sites. *sigh*
Thim, I think one of the reasons so many of us blog is that we have something to say. It may not always be perfectly eloquent or artfully written, but that’s not the point. For me, I feared putting any of my imagined stories or lived circumstances “out there” for fear of what others would think of me personally once they read them.
I think true writers *need* to write and should be distinguished from people who make random comments for effect or attention. I enjoy your blog. It is not shallow. Keep writing. I promise to keep reading.