Comments on: How to Comment on Other People’s Writing

By: Fermulatka

Fermulatka — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:17:58 +0000

Ведь именно мы придумали подворачивать пиджак, чтобы он не был виден из-под куртки, и чистить туфли рукой.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:28:54 +0000

On the other hand I would propose an article heading. “Where to get people who actually comment” As many webmasters would agree with me it is extremely hard to get users to be a little active, not just crawl through the site and leave, that is job of search engines not users

By: DeidraK

DeidraK — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:31:12 +0000

I like this article simply because I find myself begging for people to be honest with me on my writing. Right now I am doing a writing challenge to solidly define what type of writer I am and I’m asking the average person to offer up what they liked or hated and why. It’s like pulling teeth.
Of course my writing sucks to me so I would like some praise with some honesty but at the same time I agree with the last poster, I really want to know did I hit my mark. I don’t need a breakdown on the proper use of ellipses and commas, just tell me if you were entertained or gained any knowledge. I hope that’s what all writers hope to accomplish. Otherwise, what are you doing here?

By: Steven

Steven — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:14:46 +0000

I think it depends on the ‘writer.’ These rules should not apply in all cases. Case in point: my wife who wrote her first short story last week. What did I think of it, she asked. I said it was wonderful and that I hope she writes another thousand just like it.
Just another piece of advice: just because you read something it doesn’t make you an expert on it. Critics are professional ass holes. Simon is a case in point.
Writers shops and groups are cesspools for mediocrity. I remember the last one I went to, I listened to one after the other stand up and read their drivel. Then, one of them whipped out a book and started reading an excerpt, and it was the same style of drivel. Then, I realized, I was at risk of catching the drivels. It’s like going to Procrustes for advice on your height. If you were too short, he’d stretch you ought. If you were too tall he’d cut you down to size. In the end, it’s not whether or not what is written fits the mould of perfection, but rather if it accomplishes its task. That’s something a lot of critics miss.
In the end, there is only one critic who matters, and that’s the writer. Did you achieve what you set out to? Who cares if people like it or not. Liking or disliking something is not a measurement of quality.
So, if someone comes to me out of sincerity and presents their work to me, I will say that I love it no matter what I think of it. On the other hand, I teach basic English skills… and I’m a devil for details when it comes to punctuation, spelling, and grammar. I don’t care what they write, as long as it follows the directions and it’s an earnest effort.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:16:50 +0000

Very nice post. I’m an TA in an intro level creative writing workshop and this is exactly the kinds of trips for feedback the students need. They seem to be able to find things they like, but never suggestions for improvement. I’ll definitely recommend to the Prof that he share this information. Thanks!