Aphelion

SF author Will Shetterly writes in his blog:

In a post here, I wrote:

Jerry: "There are some who feel that if a writer CAN be discouraged, he should be discouraged."

Yep. Yet so far as I can tell, there's not a shortage of discouragement for people who want to learn to do something.

I agree with John that assuring people it's natural to suck when they're beginning is good. Embrace the suck! Produce much bad art! Do terrible first drafts!

I'm just quibbling with the usefulness of "you suck!" And, okay, I'd rather live in a world where artists who can be encouraged are encouraged, because I'm more interested in good art than hardy artists.

Kind criticism is rarely dishonest, but brutal criticism usually is. Brutal criticism is based on what the critic wants to say, not what the writer needs to hear. Kind criticism is effective criticism, because people listen to kindness and reject brutality.

Brutal criticism is simply brutal; its practitioners would do better to take up boxing. A writer who can't be kind and honest isn't much of a writer at all.

—Will Shetterly

This is definitely something for us to ponder as we provide criticism here. Thanks to Will for giving me permission to share it here.

Brutal criticism is simply brutal; its practitioners would do better to take up boxing. A writer who can't be kind and honest isn't much of a writer at all.

No better words spoken!!! To effectively critique another’s writing, one must be kind but honest! In fact, when helping others in any endeavor, kindness mixed with honesty and sincerity will form into a catalyst; then the person receiving the help will be much more open and receptive to the advice given, and his mind will be free from defensive measures aimed at protecting him from insult!

Through kindness one can give sharp criticism, yet the receiver will learn and  feel good about that criticism and want more and more advice or opinions. He/she will ’pick your brain’ so to speak, and the two of you will form a rapport in which you, the advisor, will also learn!!

When we communicate, our emotions, mood, wants, desires, hopes---even health---are transmitted, and if we are not aware of those non-verbal signals, our spoken message might become diluted with negative non-verbal signals, and its effectiveness stalled.

Even in writing we transmit non-verbal signal. Every writer knows that.

Writers who rely on brutal criticism are the same guys at the work place who bellow about politics, the union--- how stupid the boss is and his co-workers----only he can do things right because everybody else is a dumb-ass----get the picture!  He’s a real, live, breathing known-nothing!!!