Constructive Criticism

It seems that there are those who feel authors aren’t open to constructive criticism….
I am sure that is true in some cases, maybe many cases…
But in my case and in the cases of authors who have been in the game for a minute…
Were it not for constructive criticism and helpful insights we wouldn’t be here…
Doing what we do…
Some of my best lessons have come from those who have said, ‘This would work better if you tried this, or this would read better if you did that’…I love that, help a sister out…

As a reviewer, my goal is to be as fair as I can, but to offer whatever I can to assist…
I have been known to read a book twice, when reviewing if I am not feeling it…
Because I am thinking that maybe it is just me…
What I think is occurring in many cases is that the critic feels he or she is being constructive…when in fact intent matters not a whit…if the recipient can’t relate to what is being said or offered…and many times the offerings aren’t constructive, they are or can be destructive….
Anytime someone opens their mouth to say, “If it were me” or “I am not trying to be funny, but”…look out…
I was once in a forum where young people would join in droves….
They would participate…then one day you would notice they weren’t participating any longer…many would wonder why….I knew why….
Those in the know, 'the experts' were throwing out what they called ‘Constructive Criticism’ but they were demolishing the hopes and dreams of its youngsters…

One thing I have learned as a mentor is that there is a lot of power in what you say and how you say it…
If I see a young person reading something, instead of saying, “I know you aren’t reading that trash’…I will go out and purchase them something that will allow them to know there are other possibilities….
If I read something someone has written and it is laced with something negative or with demeaning images, I will challenge them to write the same things in a different way, you can be funky and fresh in so many ways…by no means am I saying massage the egos of people who are putting out trash,
What I am saying though is that writing like any other thing is a learning endeavor and if you can reach out to a beginning writer, offering suggestions and critiques without demolishing hope, dreams and aspirations, then please do that…
Not only will you have given back, but, you will have helped to forge a new crop of writers, who will be able to bring it….

I am not trying to be funny…honest!

Love and Blessings…
angelia