Stories

[munchausen]

As a sometime author and critic...

I think there are different kinds of criticism, of varying levels of utility. First off, there's the "this sucks" kind of criticism -- without justification, utterly useless. Then, there's the "this sucks because it isn't exactly what I like" kind of criticism, which is equally worthless. "Too much armpit tickling!" "No goats!" You don't criticize "Yentl" because there aren't enough gunfights in it. Besides, there are so many other reasons to criticize "Yentl..."

Anyway, the most useful kind of criticism, as I see it, is directed at stories that are flawed, but have real potential. There's really no point in telling someone who posts two illiterate paragraphs the reasons why his story is no good. If someone has genuine promise, but has clear stumbling blocks in his or her way, it can be really helpful to point those out. Also, writing can ideally be a collaborative process--if someone like Captain Spalding, ShemthePenman, or Strelnikov, for example, has an idea about where one of my stories can go, I'd love to hear it. Thoughtful criticism is, to me, high praise--it shows that someone took the time to read the crap I put out there carefully, and to craft an intelligent response.

As for sheer negative criticism, I think silence is the best answer. I don't comment on every story I like, but if a really great one seems to be going unnoticed, I try to say something about it. Just let the irredeemable ones drift away into obscurity.

 

[TummyDragon]

Re: As a sometime author and critic...

I think there are different kinds of criticism, of varying levels of utility.

Great post. I have to chime with agreement. One 'critique' I will send on occasion if I notice someone who does have a nice theme, beautiful imagery, and a fairly good writing style, but, may lack advanced gramma-tickle skill, is that I will send an email with a few tips containing corrections of the technical aspects of the presentation. While it is very uncommon for me to actually send out unsolicited assistance, I will do so on those very rare occasions when I feel it might be productive. I always send an initial greeting with an offer to lend advice rather than simply sending criticism without prior dialogue. Also, I would never send a critique, even if criticism is specifically requested, in a public post. I fully believe any criticism should be private, unless, of course, the purpose of the criticism is actually a self serving one rather than a sincere effort to help (which all too often seems to be the case). Let the author feel public applause, if warranted, but neither public embarrassment nor humiliation serve any worthwhile purpose.

Using this email approach, I will quote the text of the original story, and then rewrite the sample in correct form as an example from which to learn and reference if necessary. I would never, however, suggest vocabulary modifications unless there were specific semantic misuses which, if not corrected, would truly cause the writer to appear negatively. Some vocabularies are simply going to be larger than others and for an author to use suggested words that are above the author's natural writing level would cause those words to appear out of place in the story.

Some ticklish authors are blessed with the ability to paint a linguistic portrait worthy of literary accolade. You listed a few of those, and I fully agree. Others barely scratch out stick-figures. Still others begin with stick-figures and through practice and perseverance may very well achieve true metamorphosis into brilliance. The majority of authors are somewhere in the middle.

Most of the assisting exchanges I have had over the years with various tickling authors haven't involved criticism in the least. They have been discussions of direction or storyline ideas. Those can be inspirational for both parties.

As an aside, I am still amazed at the number of adult writers (and posters in general) who lack the very basics, e.g., using the possessive pronoun, "your", rather than the appropriate contraction, "you're".

 

[Grolsch]

For the record, I'd like to state that any story I post is open for criticism. Of course, I like to hear that somebody liked a given story, but I'm very, very open to negative feedback and take no offense at such. In fact, I would almost rather read criticism of the stories than glowing feedback, because that lets me know I can do something better.

Just my opinion,
G

 

[Iggy pop]

You know I don't lime most of the stories here becuase I'm not into aliens, kidnapping, monsters, or completely unrealistic scenarios. A lot of people are, however, so it would be unfair to criticize these stories. Also these items are free so you can go see for yourself. I mainly save my criticism good and bad for videos because you have to pay for these items, and I don't people to waste their money on horrible products when there are good products out there.

Also sometimes the criticism sucks. When you say it sucks or it is lame, it says nothing unless you explain why it is lame or sucks. The same thing for saying it's a good story or good video or whatever. If you didn't tell me what you liked about it then you haven't told me anything.

 

[TickledToDeath]

It's great whenever anyone takes the time and effort to contribute.
Everyone has their own tastes and imagination.
Unless it is constructive critisism to make the story more "correct", if you don't like a story, say nothing. If you do like it, say what you want to say about it. There is no need to trash it or the author.
Be thankful that there is a forum to express ones' self.
Sometimes it is easier to be negative than it is to be positive, complimentary and just plain nice. One does not have to always take the easy way out or into things. There are better ways to release ones' stress and tensions. It does not have to be taken out on someone else and their work.

TTD

 

[Haltickling]

Even constructive criticism is often based on one's individual likes and dislikes. The same story can appear excellent to one reader while another reader considers it repulsive.

However, too often a story gets criticized because the reader simply prefers a different kind of story. Let's face it, neither the authors nor the readers are "professionals" in literature. Some people on both sides of the fence don't even know the difference between constructive and destructive criticism.

My own writing has improved a lot because of constructive criticism from Max Speer, a real conoisseur and excellent writer of tickling fiction. But this criticism happened in private e-mail correspondence, not in public. I'm not sure whether I'd been able to appreciate his comments if published in this forum. Therefore (as Strelnikov mentioned), I deliver any negative criticism in private conversation, while I don't hesitate to praise a story openly. It's something called "tact".

After all, writers live on applause, like all artists... 😉

 

[tklr5150]

After all, writers live on applause, like all artists... 😉

Applause and canned ravioli, Hal. Ooh, and Snickers.

 

[BOFH666]

Don't forget caffeine...

I'll echo Grolsch here, any story I post is open for criticism as I'd like to know where and how I'm messing up so I can actually fix it in future efforts. As for destructive criticism, my own personal view is I know when something I write sucks and it therefore doesn’t get posted. In fact I think I've got more junked fiction than finished stories and do try to keep a decent level of quality control going. So when I get a "THIS SUCKS!" reply (never had one here but have done elsewhere) without any sort of reason, rationale or suggestion for improvement it pretty much gets thrown out the window.

I think the key here (as has been said by others already) is not to savage a story in a manner akin to a starving werewolf in public. If you must deliver a verbal tirade against something that a member's taken the time and effort to write, at least do it in private and in a civilised manner. Less vitriol-filled comments, or better yet, well reasoned constructive criticism, go right ahead but try and balance what you're about to post with the author. In other words, if it's someone's first post, take a chill pill and think before hitting submit.