Talk:The Case of Tommy Cooper/@comment-36627132-20180926132218/@comment-28266772-20180926160010

I'm probably not the best person to mediate this kind of dispute since I overwhelmingly support honesty over politeness. If this place really was like every other forum, no one's work would get read. This community is relatively unique in that we have published writers hanging around with complete newbs and there's a general effort to make sure everyone gets feedback and help. Compare that to nosleep where the vast majority of stories just simply don't get read and posting critiques is against the rules.

I cannot see a personal attack in Ned's critique, which is where I draw the line. I don't agree with everything he said, but his time is valuable and he gave it willingly.

Locked, I appreciate your concern for our new writers. They are often easily scared and I have, regretfully, caused one or two writers to leave the site when I offered critiques that were blunt. However, I think next time if you see a story that's getting savaged which you think deserves gentler treatment, you should offer your own positive thoughts as a separate statement. A few positive words amongst a sea of salt can make a huge difference. I think both of you can have your way by just offering your opinions independently. They may not agree, but I think they both have value and contribute meaningfully, albeit in opposing ways.

On that note I'd like to leave this comment with a few quotes from Mike MacDee's reviews of my stories, I Have Always Been a Monster, and The Witch & The Fatso because it's important to wear criticism with honesty and pride. As always, I thanked him for his time:

"it just isn't engaging."

"It's just dull reading."

"tedious narrative by a typical creepypasta monster narrator,"

"so clumsily revealed I'm left simply not caring."

"I haven't read your other works yet, and I can't say if it reflects your writing ability overall, but I get the impression that this is not one of your best."