User blog comment:AB1997/Behaviors That You Dislike That Aren't Against the Rules/@comment-25148755-20151115145606

I agree there is a fine line between constructive criticism and just being insulting. However, if I had to personally choose I would pick a critic that is more salty than not. By choosing to institute quality standards on the site, we have established this is not a place to come expecting your figurative turds to get praised as gold. I find someone who gives accurate criticism but is perhaps a little light on the tact to be far more useful than someone who just says "omg best story evah 1000000/10". Thick skins and striving to improve your craft will take you infinitely farther than a bunch of people lining up to kiss your butt. I looked at Mike's comment on Something is Wrong. I agree, it isn't totally pc. But it is honest and points out some issues. Seeing that kind of abrupt straightforwardness actually prompted me to ask him to take a look at any of my stories of his choice. And at the end of it all, the thing that really blows my mind about this whole conversation is that the individual whose story the comment was directed at (my good acquaintance SnakeTongue) was actually quite gracious and appreciative of the comment after he got over the immediate saltiness. Seriously, here is his message on Mike's wall irt the comment:

"Hello Mike! I had long awaited the day when a talented writer such as yourself (I've started reading some of your works, just in case I decide to make your top ten next) read one of my stories and gave me their opinion on it. Things like this rarely seem to happen to me, and so I was very happy to notice that you left a comment on Something Is Wrong.

Then I started reading it, and, I must admit, it broke my heart a little. The above seems to be my most popular and best story, so to see it trashed like that kind of game me the impression that, if my supposed "best" story was that bad, I can only imagine how terrible my other pastas, which have not recieved as much feedback, must be.

Anyway, after I got over my initial wounded pride, I realized that you are correct in many respects. This was actually one of the first pastas I ever wrote (Well, really its one of the first things I ever wrote that I wanted to publish anywhere,) and as such, it was rushed. The pasta actually never was edited before submission, because, I was thirteen when I wrote this, and I didn't understand that in order for my story to work, I was going to have to put a good deal of effort into it even after I was done with the actual writing. I didn't get that I was supposed to go over it again and again, and proofread and pick out the things that didn't matter. So once again, you are correct, I didn't know any better.

Now that I truly think of it, yes there are many plotholes, and several things that I could've improved upon.

I'm sorry you didn't think very much of this peice, but I'm going to do my best to take your advice in the form of constructive criticism. I'm going to work a little harder and try to improve my stories in the future. As a matter of fact, I admire your critical thinking.

With that said, do you think you could bear me asking something of you? I'm currently writing a horror novella that is split into six different chapters. When the rough draft is finished and it is up in the Writer's Workshop, would it be too much to ask if I wanted you to take a look at it? I feel like you could help me a lot with my writing.

In closing, thank you for your time."

So if the individual who is actually "hurt" by this comment cannot only see its value but goes on to ask for reviews in the future, I don't see any particular need to jump to his defense.