A Critic Weighs In
I knew it was bound to happen eventually. Someone was going to visit my little blog and give it a critical review. I suppose now that I am doing it five days a week is a better time to go after me than when I was just starting out and trying to develope the disappline to do it consistantly. I hear that the guys who write for a living get criticism they are pretty good about taking it well or at the very least not taking it personally. It is something I am still working on, and I have to say I did pretty well. I always figured when someone posted something critical about my blog I would have to realy chew back a reactionary response, all the while being indignit at my desk. Fortuantely this did not happen. I received it in my email inbox. I read it. I sat back. I read it again. I laughed out loud and forwarded it to Sara, and Kim. And now after some reflection I am prepaired to address it. The message reads as follows.
Woody, I was trying to find Eddie's address on the computer. I put in Eddie Cavenaugh and hit search. I did not find his address but guess what I did find. I found your writing. Please watch the word "shit" it doesn't look good. Just some Motherly advice. I enjoyed reading your articles You do have a talent for writing.
Love Mother
Well that about says all it doesn't it?
The response to this ought to be mature, fair, and honest. I am going to be my best to be a grown up about this.
Mom,
I'm a big boy now. Sometimes you need to use the occasional bad word. (I should probably go figure out which article she actually read.) Bad words if used correctly can sometimes be used like punctuation marks. Sometimes its just what you have to say. Like OSINTOT. I didn't mean anything bad by it I'm sure. I will try to cut it out I promise.
Ok second. To search for Eddie's address you need to look in your email address book, not in google. Congratulations for figuring out google though, I'm proud of you.
I'll call you sunday like usual.
Woody
Critics...
Comments
By posting this review you actually partially acknowledge the criticism and in some way, alter your writing style in a molecular level. If there was a way to sort out criticism and have it immediately junked, to avoid outside influence, that would be great. Perhaps a "critical junk filter" system.
Due to criticism and input, things get altered. For example, a favorite band might take one criticism one way, and change their entire format. This change will re-define it, and lose the origional greatness that made it great. Criticism from others typically stifles growth and development. Perhaps it is good that I don't get criticized or critiqued during life, but get the chance to review it after the fact (so people say, based on the "flashed before my eyes" theory).
Posted by: The Teacher | March 6, 2007 11:42 PM