Thin Skinned Writer
Why I still write.23 total reviews
Comment from louparis
Excellent exposition of self. You haven't experienced the hell of submitting novels and non-fiction manuscripts to agents and publishers, that will toughen your skin. FS is a pleasant place for a writer - it is always nice-nice and offers the balm that keeps us writing.
Lou Paris
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Excellent exposition of self. You haven't experienced the hell of submitting novels and non-fiction manuscripts to agents and publishers, that will toughen your skin. FS is a pleasant place for a writer - it is always nice-nice and offers the balm that keeps us writing.
Lou Paris
Comment Written 11-Aug-2009
Comment from dmjones
I have to admit this is the first thing I've read by you. But I don't read much poetry. I like it but can't offer any help. I saw the title and said 'that's me' thin-skinned I got to read this and so here I am. Thank you for posting because your great attitude shows through in this.
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I have to admit this is the first thing I've read by you. But I don't read much poetry. I like it but can't offer any help. I saw the title and said 'that's me' thin-skinned I got to read this and so here I am. Thank you for posting because your great attitude shows through in this.
Comment Written 11-Aug-2009
Comment from WRITER1
Not everyone will like what you write. The thing is to write what you like and the piece will be beautiful. When you do what you like the words flow and connect. So don't be thin skinned. Just write for you!
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Not everyone will like what you write. The thing is to write what you like and the piece will be beautiful. When you do what you like the words flow and connect. So don't be thin skinned. Just write for you!
Comment Written 11-Aug-2009
Comment from Belinda
Dear Helvi, I'm glad you have writer's blood which keeps you writing despite your 'thin' skin. I think most of us are thin skinned. It hurts when we read bad reviews, but when we read excellent reviews there is a tingling doubt: is this real? The important thing is that we love writing, and we deliver the best we can. When you have an unjust review, just realize that we cannot please everybody. This short piece is well written and so honest!
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Dear Helvi, I'm glad you have writer's blood which keeps you writing despite your 'thin' skin. I think most of us are thin skinned. It hurts when we read bad reviews, but when we read excellent reviews there is a tingling doubt: is this real? The important thing is that we love writing, and we deliver the best we can. When you have an unjust review, just realize that we cannot please everybody. This short piece is well written and so honest!
Comment Written 11-Aug-2009
Comment from patwannabe
Well, Helvi, I liked it. I think you hit the nail on the proverbial head. We are all thinned skinned. If that wasn't so, why do we get into a tiff if someone give us a 4. I got a 3 the other day and wondered what was her problem, she was in a definite snit. Fight with her husband, maybe? . I certainly did better than a 3. In fact, WHEN I win the contest I will look her up and say "Nayh, na, nayh na na na. I'm kidding of course, but I did get a 3 and it did hurt because I don't think I deserved it. No one else thought so, either. Good for you for baring your soul, or something like that. Just don't quit! pat
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Well, Helvi, I liked it. I think you hit the nail on the proverbial head. We are all thinned skinned. If that wasn't so, why do we get into a tiff if someone give us a 4. I got a 3 the other day and wondered what was her problem, she was in a definite snit. Fight with her husband, maybe? . I certainly did better than a 3. In fact, WHEN I win the contest I will look her up and say "Nayh, na, nayh na na na. I'm kidding of course, but I did get a 3 and it did hurt because I don't think I deserved it. No one else thought so, either. Good for you for baring your soul, or something like that. Just don't quit! pat
Comment Written 10-Aug-2009
Comment from GregoryC
You're quite right when you say how difficult it is to take any form of criticism, especially from your colleagues who are struggling to be the best they can. I'm in the same boat. maybe this will help:
Poetry forums like fanstory.com exist more for the sake of interaction than they do for the sake of generating good poetry. Giving fair, informed, constructive criticism is hampered by virtue of excessive niceness in the reviews. This is true, in part, because many of us are likely to meet or at some point be judged ourselves by the poet under review. This leaves just a small circle of poets who dare to be honest.
Sometimes you come across "troll-critics" who are gratuitously rude and unhelpful. These people are driven by feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. As the saying goes: "Don't mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it. If it is unfair, keep from irritation. If it is ignorant, smile. If it is justified, learn from it."
There's no substitute for talent and the determination to push on and be a successful writer. All we can do is 'plod on.'
Good luck,
Gregory
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You're quite right when you say how difficult it is to take any form of criticism, especially from your colleagues who are struggling to be the best they can. I'm in the same boat. maybe this will help:
Poetry forums like fanstory.com exist more for the sake of interaction than they do for the sake of generating good poetry. Giving fair, informed, constructive criticism is hampered by virtue of excessive niceness in the reviews. This is true, in part, because many of us are likely to meet or at some point be judged ourselves by the poet under review. This leaves just a small circle of poets who dare to be honest.
Sometimes you come across "troll-critics" who are gratuitously rude and unhelpful. These people are driven by feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. As the saying goes: "Don't mind criticism. If it is untrue, disregard it. If it is unfair, keep from irritation. If it is ignorant, smile. If it is justified, learn from it."
There's no substitute for talent and the determination to push on and be a successful writer. All we can do is 'plod on.'
Good luck,
Gregory
Comment Written 10-Aug-2009
Comment from Jazh
Helvi, I really don't think you are the only one who feels this way. And I think you are probably more popular and talented than you know. This is eloquently-written, and you're right - not being the best means always trying to be better - well put. Cheers. :)
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Helvi, I really don't think you are the only one who feels this way. And I think you are probably more popular and talented than you know. This is eloquently-written, and you're right - not being the best means always trying to be better - well put. Cheers. :)
Comment Written 10-Aug-2009
Comment from Dee1977
I can relate, although not so much on this site because I've only been a member about a week. However, I've come to understand that not everyone will like what I write, or how I write it, and I'm okay with that. Besides, as you said it only makes you strive to become better.
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I can relate, although not so much on this site because I've only been a member about a week. However, I've come to understand that not everyone will like what I write, or how I write it, and I'm okay with that. Besides, as you said it only makes you strive to become better.
Comment Written 10-Aug-2009
Comment from MissCellanea
I think all writers are a bit thin-skinned. We want to write a masterpiece, indeed, believe we have, and then someone comes along and says something against it. Yikes! Well, you can't please them all. Remember to be true to your own work.
I do have a few suggestions that might tighten this a smidge:
THough I have been on FAn Story
Two words here with double caps
definately
I know UK and US English is different. Maybe it's spelled differently. Maybe not. I'd suggest definitely.
A true writer can not help themselves
True writers cannot help themselves or
A true writer cannot help himself/herself
NO one wants to feel harsh comments penetrate their skin or believe they have nothing to offer.
No one wants to feel harsh comments penetrate his/her skin or believe he/she has nothing to offer.
You'd want to keep the two clarifiers, for lack of a better word, matching.
Five years? Congratulations! I'm one-year this month. I appreciate all the comments, positive and negative, but I do understand the apprehension you describe. Still, knowing that someone has enjoyed my work is worth it. After all, it's a labor of love.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You keep on doing what you're doing. It's working for you. Sue:)
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I think all writers are a bit thin-skinned. We want to write a masterpiece, indeed, believe we have, and then someone comes along and says something against it. Yikes! Well, you can't please them all. Remember to be true to your own work.
I do have a few suggestions that might tighten this a smidge:
THough I have been on FAn Story
Two words here with double caps
definately
I know UK and US English is different. Maybe it's spelled differently. Maybe not. I'd suggest definitely.
A true writer can not help themselves
True writers cannot help themselves or
A true writer cannot help himself/herself
NO one wants to feel harsh comments penetrate their skin or believe they have nothing to offer.
No one wants to feel harsh comments penetrate his/her skin or believe he/she has nothing to offer.
You'd want to keep the two clarifiers, for lack of a better word, matching.
Five years? Congratulations! I'm one-year this month. I appreciate all the comments, positive and negative, but I do understand the apprehension you describe. Still, knowing that someone has enjoyed my work is worth it. After all, it's a labor of love.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You keep on doing what you're doing. It's working for you. Sue:)
Comment Written 10-Aug-2009
Comment from DeboraDyess
Well, I like it enough to become a fan, so that has to say something!
As for 'thick skin' ... I don't know that any of us like to feel the heat of rejection. But I, for one, don't WANT to impress everyone. There are some pretty weird, crazy, mean, etc. people out there. Those poeple I want to challenge, to ispire to new heights, to encourage to different thinking, etc. But I know they won't LIKE what they read. They may in some distant time, but my voice is not always what they wish to hear. Thats' okay. That rejection I will gladly deal with.
Now the other kind ... hmm .... :) Deb
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Well, I like it enough to become a fan, so that has to say something!
As for 'thick skin' ... I don't know that any of us like to feel the heat of rejection. But I, for one, don't WANT to impress everyone. There are some pretty weird, crazy, mean, etc. people out there. Those poeple I want to challenge, to ispire to new heights, to encourage to different thinking, etc. But I know they won't LIKE what they read. They may in some distant time, but my voice is not always what they wish to hear. Thats' okay. That rejection I will gladly deal with.
Now the other kind ... hmm .... :) Deb
Comment Written 10-Aug-2009
