My Favorite Support Email
About once a week I get a support email from a distraught member that goes something like this: My story was just critiqued by Darth Vader. He mercilessly tore my work apart. How could you let someone do this to me?
I usually try to respond with soothing words that calm these poor souls. However, just between you and me, this is what I want to say: Congratulations! You received a real critique. You should thank Darth Vader for caring enough to help you improve. Take his ideas and run with them, your work will probably improve if you do. And don’t forget to send him a thank you note.
Why do people act so surprised and distraught when they receive a good critique on a peer critiqued writing group website?
Jacob
Stumble it!
Tags: peer critique, Writing Group
June 14th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Because not all scathing reviews are helpful, some miss the point entirely, and you can usually tell when a review is being scathing BUT sincere, and also when they’re nasty for the sheer hell of it.