tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2182805214114999185.post2522746831250696708..comments2021-07-15T10:49:38.001-07:00Comments on Teens, Writing and Randomness: Wanted: An Honest CriticMaria Padianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15187638787394947693noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2182805214114999185.post-4755690045872377102010-02-03T04:43:22.565-08:002010-02-03T04:43:22.565-08:00Thanks, Tammy and Sarah. T., I'm not much for ...Thanks, Tammy and Sarah. T., I'm not much for Scotch either. S. I think you're right about how advanced age helps us better handle criticism. Perhaps we take ourselves less seriously and have more perspective on what constitutes "bad news!"Maria Padianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15187638787394947693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2182805214114999185.post-87406866358859359752010-02-01T07:08:36.224-08:002010-02-01T07:08:36.224-08:00Excellent post! It’s so true that writers need cri...Excellent post! It’s so true that writers need critiques beyond family and close friends. Your personal story is both inspiring and sad. Elkin could have delivered his critique with some encouragement. <br /><br />The criticism I have received didn’t discourage me because the readers believed I had the skill to fix it. They also told me what was working along with what was not. The most important skill of a writer is an ability to take criticism, to learn form it and to keep writing. <br /><br />I also think age can be a factor. There are some J. D. Salingers, but most writers need time to improve their craft and to live life for experiences to share. As we age, we also get better at taking criticism.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2182805214114999185.post-47350451100149241782010-02-01T07:03:58.514-08:002010-02-01T07:03:58.514-08:00Well then there is always the random friend of a f...Well then there is always the random friend of a friend from a social networking site who writes you to critique because she happens to be in the field - but on the other side of the fence in the field. :)<br /><br />And yet I will say I have had the same experience. In academic writing, the same blows are received and the results are the same. At times I've cry and never want to write again. And I'm still not much a a Scotch drinker! Ha ha!<br /><br />And that, as I tell my students, is why everyone needs to remember writing is work. But it is rewarding work when the job is done, although most of the time, my writing just feels like it is abandoned since I can tinker forever.Tammynoreply@blogger.com