tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post4834675994815575766..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: CriticismJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-27641267144689652772013-02-10T09:23:57.363-08:002013-02-10T09:23:57.363-08:00Jane--I really enjoy your writing in the blog post...Jane--I really enjoy your writing in the blog posts I've read from you. You have a wonderful light and witty touch--as your comment illustrates. And I agree with you--though I may not agree with some criticism, I sometimes don't agree with praise either. Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58927932290509504032013-02-09T22:07:29.652-08:002013-02-09T22:07:29.652-08:00I've enjoyed reading the post and the comments...I've enjoyed reading the post and the comments.<br />I write. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's "eh". I have had to smack myself in the forehead when someone called me on my grandstanding on a controversial topic...speaking as if I were the bearer of The One True Answer. That was humbling. But I appreciated the chance to haul myself up, check my ID (oh no, NOT God!) I apologized to readers for my bad manners, and thanked my criticizer. <br />I'm not always going to agree with the criticism, but I don't always agree with the praise either!Janehttp://www.theliteraryhorse.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-62345143651084950892013-02-09T15:36:45.672-08:002013-02-09T15:36:45.672-08:00wilhelmina--I never posted about Greg Scheers--I d...wilhelmina--I never posted about Greg Scheers--I don't even know who he is. So I think you're confusing me with another blogger. Good luck.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-5115595339417985782013-02-09T12:21:14.636-08:002013-02-09T12:21:14.636-08:00Hi, I read your posts about Greg Scheers and I was...Hi, I read your posts about Greg Scheers and I was wondering whether you knew where he is riding/teaching now? I am planning on changing stable this coming summer, I've heard a lot of good about him and I too am riding in the area you are.. :) Thank you so much!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15928539789889506243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54989634567454889952013-02-08T07:06:30.484-08:002013-02-08T07:06:30.484-08:00Susan--Yep, that is so true. Some people will not ...Susan--Yep, that is so true. Some people will not like your book (or your blog post) for obscure reasons and it is pointless to worry about it. Its a big lesson that I believe everyone who writes for the public would do well to learn.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-269534578424476962013-02-07T19:42:34.309-08:002013-02-07T19:42:34.309-08:00I had a woman review my book who took offense at m...I had a woman review my book who took offense at my describing saddling a horse when it was unnecessary for her as she already knew how to do it. That was her entire basis for a mediocre review. I never engage reviewers, but what I would have liked to ask her is whether I did a good job with the description. Could she follow the process if she wasn't a horse person?<br /><br />Then another reviewer must have decided she wasn't going to like the book before she read it because her review left both my husband and I scratching our heads. It was like she tried to come up with something bad to say, bur couldn't. <br /><br />Each to his or her own, just like you said.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04986249712144982103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-18951690977967567662013-02-07T15:14:46.521-08:002013-02-07T15:14:46.521-08:00WHP--Yes, the critics who are just plain wrong (li...WHP--Yes, the critics who are just plain wrong (like the supposed horsewoman who said in her Amazon review that the horse related details in my novels were not accurate) are supremely annoying. And yes, I would sure have deleted that inaccurate review if I had the power. But there's the rub. Unlike blog comments, there are many venues (such as Amazon) where people can say what they think (whether positive, negative or just plain wrong) and the author can do nothing about it. So again, its best to expect that you are likely to get some negative (and even irrational) responses when you write for public consumption.<br /><br />I agree that the woman who SO disliked my protagonist becoming a mother was reacting that way because she had strongly identified with the character. So maybe this is a backhanded compliment? I can choose to look at it that way, any way.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-600103781499134022013-02-07T15:01:26.949-08:002013-02-07T15:01:26.949-08:00As a writer feedback from people who might just be...As a writer feedback from people who might just be customers can be really useful, certainly if one's aim is to write for a market. Of course that depends on there being a measure of the constructive present. However there is a significant minority of mean-spirited and psychologically damaged people out there who get a kick from doing what they expect will offend and hurt. There are people who criticise wantonly because they envy our ability to write. There are trolls circulating too, fortunately for us politics interests most of them much more than horses. <br /><br />Yes, of course to a large extent people are entitled to their opinions. What I do find annoying are the liars and deceivers. I haven't forgotten comments from a Holocaust-denier concerning a historical article that she didn't like. (It was worse that, so far as I could tell, she was a high school history teacher!) I will argue back with such people, and I will delete comments that spread falsehood. <br /><br />At least if a reader doesn't like what a character is doing you can be sure that they have engaged with the book. There's enough description to make the plot real for the reader. That they don't agree with the course you have charted is a bit of a detail really. That's their problem. <br /><br />White Horse Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18256903307281225327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54726188706828860052013-02-07T07:40:38.360-08:002013-02-07T07:40:38.360-08:00Breanna--Thank you so much for disagreeing--I was ...Breanna--Thank you so much for disagreeing--I was hoping somebody would. In response I would say that blog commenters who just want to put the blogger down ARE annoying, and, as I said in an earlier response, I would delete comments that are meant only to be nasty. But that's the point. You can delete them. No big deal. Its certainly true that those commenters are not very nice people and the blogosphere would be better without them. BUT...that was the point of my post. Those people exist and they will/can respond to your written work, be it blog or book. I think bloggers and authors should be prepared to deal with this sort of response, because it does happen. Not everyone will like your work, and some may say so quite forcefully. If you write a somewhat inflammatory blog piece and people respond negatively, I think it is absolutely ridiculous to follow with a whiny blog post about how everyone is picking on you (which is what inspired this post of mine).<br /><br />Aarene--I agree with your points--you are spot on. But the point of my post, as I said just now, was not that negative criticism is good or useful or accurate (though it can be). It is rather that negative and even nasty criticism WILL happen if you write for the public long enough (in my case, 20 years). I think you should expect this, and not be too rattled by it--otherwise being an author can be a real ordeal. Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-7956859181766528792013-02-06T18:26:50.413-08:002013-02-06T18:26:50.413-08:00Laura makes a good point...and so do the commenter...Laura makes a good point...and so do the commenters here! See, this is why I hang out in the blogosphere when I'm supposed to be writing. It's all y'all's fault when I miss deadlines.<br /><br />I think the "feedback" problem that bugs me most is the person (blogger, Facebooker, email, or F2F acquaintence) who clearly has a problem, articulates the issue clearly, asks for help, and then turns to draw blood on anyone who offers a suggestion. I've got no time for that. <br /><br />OTOH, I'm always happy when somebody catches my attention and says, "hey, I've noticed this and I think that if you try this other thing it might be good." Subtlety gets lost on me, people--if you have advice, please be direct, and that includes criticism. <br /><br />"I don't like it" isn't helpful. Offer some options that you like better, or go away. Either is good. <br /><br />And BTW, Laura: I never mind when fictional characters have a life that is different from the life I choose. If I wanted to read about stuff that is the same as my life, I'd just read my own blog over-and-over. >g<AareneXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072169739345465380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-14352684831123165662013-02-06T17:17:49.196-08:002013-02-06T17:17:49.196-08:00I'm going to have to disagree with you on some...I'm going to have to disagree with you on some of this. Criticism to a point is good and definitely you should have a thick skin if you are blogging or publishing books, but I find it really irritating when commenters on a blog have nothing nice to say and just seem bent on putting down the person writing (such as telling them they shouldn't write any more!) If it bothers them that much, why are they reading?? Go somewhere else and let the rest of us enjoy it!Breannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926688591022319522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-35409336825028024682013-02-06T16:20:59.542-08:002013-02-06T16:20:59.542-08:00Val--That's an interesting point. I never thou...Val--That's an interesting point. I never thought about it, but some bloggers do seem to like to do the self-critical thing. For me the most annoying is the holier-than-thou bloggers. <br /><br />And if you teach middle school you are both brave and able to deal with criticism as well as any author. That's a tough gig (I was a teacher in my distant past). Thanks for the comment.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-66238858609319013022013-02-06T16:13:59.656-08:002013-02-06T16:13:59.656-08:00Criticism can't be avoided. As a teacher, I a...Criticism can't be avoided. As a teacher, I am aware that some students like me, some are indifferent, and a few really dislike me and my personality/teaching style/clothing (they are middle school students!).<br /><br />You know what I find annoying? I don't like it when bloggers criticize themselves. For example, a rider posts pictures of herself riding and then proceeds to list all the imperfections present. I do not mind if the person mentions good with the bad, but total self-deprecation is not very flattering.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-46299139146549774272013-02-06T12:16:27.982-08:002013-02-06T12:16:27.982-08:00Thank you, Laurie! Sharing photos of horses and sc...Thank you, Laurie! Sharing photos of horses and scenery is one of my favorite parts of blogging. Glad you enjoy our blog.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-90050748575817428012013-02-06T12:03:56.980-08:002013-02-06T12:03:56.980-08:00I for one, love your blog! Especially reading abou...I for one, love your blog! Especially reading about all the horses in your life (since I have never been able to have one myself) and seeing the beautiful scenery of coastal CA (I live in NE). <br /><br />-LaurieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-47041638624249654222013-02-06T10:49:14.603-08:002013-02-06T10:49:14.603-08:00Promise--Yes, I had to learn the ability to work w...Promise--Yes, I had to learn the ability to work with editors and agents who "just didn't like it." That is pretty frustrating. But you learn to handle it, as you say. And thank you so much for the nice comments about my books--I'm touched that you don't want the series to be over.<br /><br />CFS--Yes, I've seen these haters commenting on other blogs. They are no fun. I have not been attacked by them (yet) and I agree with you that part of it is that you get back what you put out there. They often comment on blogs where the blogger has put out some pretty arrogant high-handed judgements herself. I think if someone put repeated hateful comments on my blog posts with no intention other than being negative and this person refused to participate in reasonable dialogue about the subject at hand, I would delete the comments. But I am not threatened by those who disagree with me or dislike me or think I'm a poor writer. If they can stay reasonable and polite, I'm game to hear what they think. Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-65643426270710029652013-02-06T10:00:15.709-08:002013-02-06T10:00:15.709-08:00Agreed that it's a good idea to develop a thic...Agreed that it's a good idea to develop a thick skin if you put your writing out in public. <br /><br />However, there are definitely people who interact on (hide behind) the internet with the sole intention of hurting feelings, causing strife and generally spreading negativity. <br /><br />It's the authenticity and intention behind the comments that put them into this category. Disagreeing for the sake of being disagreeable is not the same as validly having a difference of opinion, wanting to initiate a dialogue.<br /><br />After a while you can usually tell this type of individual right away, and as you said - not publishing the comment is an effective response. Attention is usually the goal anyway.<br /><br />My experience has been almost universally good. Maybe part of it is you get back what you put out there...Calm, Forward, Straighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08360276614916635500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-8574288605452382552013-02-06T09:58:01.846-08:002013-02-06T09:58:01.846-08:00I agree - and I encounter similar things in my pro...I agree - and I encounter similar things in my profession as a graphic designer. As a designer, you have to not only not get attached to work, but you have to develop a thick skin and learn to not take criticism personally...especially when the person is unable to articulate anything other than the very common "I don't like it." Ok, can you tell me why? "I don't know, I just don't like it." Really?!<br /><br />Also, I'm not a mother, but I stick to my previous comments about your books -- I love that the characters are so real and relatable -- they could easily be the reader, or the reader's neighbor or best friend. And, I do hope Gail inspires you to write more...because I'm on the last book and dreading it being over!! :)Promisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12338935046262804307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-55788764031233239112013-02-06T08:04:24.015-08:002013-02-06T08:04:24.015-08:00GHM--That's a very good point. It's someti...GHM--That's a very good point. It's sometimes very hard not to take criticism personally, but I find that it is often more about the critic and his/her state of mind, as in the woman who was once my ardent fan and then wrote some very scathing reviews of my later books. She was emphatically a committed career woman and not a mother, and I believe she found it personally threatening that my protagonist puts her career on hold to raise her child. Those who were mothers themselves really liked these books--it's all about the taste of the beholder. And like most authors, I persist in thinking that those who like my books have good taste (!)Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-50512934150130428372013-02-06T07:57:07.561-08:002013-02-06T07:57:07.561-08:00I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. A...I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. Also, criticism isn't always a bad thing. The one thing to remember is not to take it personally. Everyone's got an opinion and they are free to express it whether we agree or not. Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.com