Hello everyone!
So as you know, or may have seen, I am a newbie to this site. I put in my introduction, (I don't know how many read that), that I was criticized for a poem I wrote on another site. I mean it's just a silly poem, (that I wrote ages ago and I thought that was really good), but it was totally picked apart, line by line, with descriptive criticisms and technical pseudo-writer babble that I couldn't even decode. I mean they were treated me as if I was this advanced poet with a Master's Degree in English Literature, where I am just a simple writer who is just beginning to hone my craft. I may be a step below of a beginner if you ask me.
Anyway, someone on this site said something wonderful to me, which really lifted my spirits, which was, a critique of your work should make you want write MORE, not discourage you from writing. After reading the two pages of critique on my one poem, I was completely discouraged and really didn't even feel like trying. There are just so many times you can tell someone in plain English "you're doing this wrong." Anyway, I think I found my home here and I am going to leave that other writing forum behind. Too bad they got my donation though! I was so excited about being part of a writing community, I blindly gave them money to support their cause, when it is a toxic environment for beginners.
I will be mindful though to have a thicker skin, or be sure to put a "Be Gentle" disclaimer when posting my work on here when I get up to my 50 posts. I also plan on doing a lot of reading to see how the critics are on here. I am really gun-shy now, but I am not ready to give up just yet!
So as you know, or may have seen, I am a newbie to this site. I put in my introduction, (I don't know how many read that), that I was criticized for a poem I wrote on another site. I mean it's just a silly poem, (that I wrote ages ago and I thought that was really good), but it was totally picked apart, line by line, with descriptive criticisms and technical pseudo-writer babble that I couldn't even decode. I mean they were treated me as if I was this advanced poet with a Master's Degree in English Literature, where I am just a simple writer who is just beginning to hone my craft. I may be a step below of a beginner if you ask me.
Anyway, someone on this site said something wonderful to me, which really lifted my spirits, which was, a critique of your work should make you want write MORE, not discourage you from writing. After reading the two pages of critique on my one poem, I was completely discouraged and really didn't even feel like trying. There are just so many times you can tell someone in plain English "you're doing this wrong." Anyway, I think I found my home here and I am going to leave that other writing forum behind. Too bad they got my donation though! I was so excited about being part of a writing community, I blindly gave them money to support their cause, when it is a toxic environment for beginners.
I will be mindful though to have a thicker skin, or be sure to put a "Be Gentle" disclaimer when posting my work on here when I get up to my 50 posts. I also plan on doing a lot of reading to see how the critics are on here. I am really gun-shy now, but I am not ready to give up just yet!