Why you gotta be so rude

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"Criticism is the only reliable form of autobiography."

- Oscar Wilde

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That's another reason why I love Wilde! He knew what he was doing. He knew what he was saying.

On wattpad (no duh, this book is about wattpad) there's the place where you can find a critic to critique your work (why am I saying such obvious things today?!) or you can actually offer critiquing services yourself.

I used to do them. I used to critique people's work a lot, and sometimes they didn't need to ask for it. I'd just ramble away, pointing out their mistakes and saying such horrible things about their work. I thought I was being helpful, but I really wasn't.

I guess I only realised my own fault was when I read someone's critique on someone else's book...then someone's critique on mine.

It hurt like shit, because I enjoyed writing my story and stuff. Yet someone who thought they were being helpful were actually tearing down the very foundation I'd built my confidence on. How bad must have all the other authors felt when I was so horrible to them?

Criticism is the only reliable form of autobiography.

It's such a powerful quote because it's so true. How you criticize other people reflects how you really are.

There's a difference between critique and feedback.
Even though you feel that you give 'the bitter honest truth', check that you're not mistaking that for being a downright bitch.

I'll break down some examples of a mean critique for you, and explain how each part is just coming from a rotten person.

#1: THE SPAG POLICE

What they say:
"You spelt this word wrong. You missed a couple of commas. You shouldn't have used a question work here."

Why it's mean:
If you're one of those who look for the tiniest mistakes - what you think is being 'detailed' - comes across as spiteful. Most of the time it's a typo, like 'taht' instead of 'that'! Why you gotta be so mean about it?!

If you ask me, I think pointing out SPAG issues; unless they noticeably disrupt the flow of the story; is very amateurish of you.

My freakin history school text book has a spelling mistake, but it doesn't change the fact that it's led me to an A* grade more than once.

What would be better to say: "there are some spelling and/or grammar issues here and there, but nothing that can't be fixed! Just look through it again..."

That's much nicer I think.

#2: CHANGE EVERYTHING! POLICE

What they say:

"Your plot is just terrible. Very cliché and overused, it's so obvious what's going to happen. Your characters are so stereotypical. It's not planned out properly this can't happen..."

Why it's mean:
even though someone's story plot is either stupid, unrealistic or cliché, it's not fair to be mean about it.

I remember being asked to critique this person's story which was about two 8 year olds who were in love and were playing on the playground then the boy got taken by the mafia police and the girl asked to join the mafia so she could be with him.

Don't laugh.

Okay, I give you permission to...

The plot was so silly, but it's what the author saw was fitting! I knew if I was to critique it, I'd just say it was all terrible. So...I left it.

What's better to say: Sometimes, you may not always have something nice to say. So don't say it.

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Lol I'm being too lazy to come up with anything more.

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Stop being a mean critique. Give feedback, not criticism. Are you now asking, "Well, how am I supposed to address their problems if I can't be critical?"

Here's me being deep. Ask yourself:

1. Are you more interested in helping them than blaming them?

2. Are you able to find good elements in their writing?

3. Do you talk more about how they can improve instead of what they've done wrong?

How many can you say yes to?

Damn. This rant is so real. I'm sorry it's not funny, but it's just something I feel strongly about, if you know what I mean.

Don't be so rude!

(Lol you saw my title reference to Magic!'s song? It's such an annoying song lol but it's been stuck in my head).

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