Does anyone else dislike writers that unconstructively critcize other writers?

Question

I write. I do it because I love it, I want the world to listen to my soul, and I want my writings to be amongst those studied by scholars for milleniums to come. I dislike it when people recklessly hate other writers because they hate how easy it was for the person to get their book published and so forth. I have seen hate groups for Christopher Paolini, and while I have not read any of his works, I dislike how people hate him just because he got an easy break publishing his book. What people should be doing is criticizing his book constructively instead of hating him because he got an easy break. All I hear people say is, "Paolini sucks, that was his first writing attempt and it was published." Too bad, life is just and until you realize that you must take advantage of what you have, you will continue to complain about how life is unfair. He used what he had and he is successful now. He also self promoted his book.

Answer 1

Ive never read his books, so I cant say I have an opinion of them. Maybe people dont hate him as much as they hate dragon books. Let's face it - Anne Mc Caffrey has been writing dragon books for 20 plus years so there isnt anything exactly original about Paolini. However, as you said you want your writings studied, you also have to face critics when you put your work out there for the public to read. And anybody who reads it has the right to voice an opinion of what they read. That's what makes the world go round. Actually I have seen many people here say his movie sucks but not his books.

Also = please define "unconstructively criticize". I dont believe there is such a thing. If you read a book and you hate it, you hate it and that's it.

Tell me something one author to another. I see a lot of really really bad poetry here. Then I see the 15 or 20 people who post to praise it. Once, I even saw one of the worst poems I have ever seen here referred to as "the new Shakespeare".

As an author, would you rather get BS praise or honest criticism?

Also - tell me why you havent read any Paolini? Maybe you would hate it too. It is possible. I havent read any because I have a sneaking feeling I would hate it. Hate IT - not hate HIM. There is a huge difference.

As far as Im concerned whether you publish professionally or post here, you are fair game for any comments from anyone who cares to comment. No pun intended but Im sure Christopher Paolini has a thick skin and can handle criticism. Let's face it - he is hardly in the same league with Nathaniel Hawthorne or Charles Dickens. He is writing fluffy books for teens - which happens to be a hot market. I would bet even he doesnt compare his work to The Scarlet Letter or Great Expectations.

Pax - C.

Answer 2

This is exactly why I've mentioned this before. If a person wanting to be a serious writer cannot stand criticism, then they are in the wrong hobby or career. I have my opinions on many movies and novels, but they are not shared by every critic out there. I walked out of two movies in my life. One was The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the other was The Blair Witch Project, which people said was the scariest movie they’ve ever seen. Like looking up someone’s nose with a camera while they’re sitting in a tent is scary. Yet, there were people who called them both great movies. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s gold mine. The main thing is to look at what’s being published and try to write something that’s a little more unique than the last.

You mention that you write because you love it and you want the world to listen to your words. Well, every writer has that in mind, but what you write won't be the cup of tea for every reader. No matter what you do or how hard you try, someone, somewhere, will find fault with it. Sad but true.

Happy Writing and Good Luck!

Answer 3

Remind me, which one is Paolini? And who says it was his first ~writing~ attempt? Perhaps it was just his first attempt at getting published, in which case, maybe these people just need to work harder.

And P, I think of "unconstructive criticism" as those people who say "Your plot sucks." Um... OK... Why? What about it? Is it unbelievable? Does it make all the characters look like they're so lucky they have leprechauns in their pockets? (Is that what you meant SmyLee?)

And pj m, I have to agree about Blair Witch... the only thing I liked about it was that the whole thing was improv formed off notes the actors found outside their tent in the morning... But that's another discussion for another forum.

Answer 4

I understand your frustration. I work in photography and see the same type of thing there. Criticize all you wish...but make it constructive! have valid points...explain how it could have been done better. At least try to justify your dislike. Although I must admit I occasionally dislike an author's style...seemingly for no good reason...it just simply doesn't appeal to me. I try to look for why a work may not appeal to me..but sometimes even that is hard. Many cases of this appear to be sour grapes....I see it often in the photography world. so, in a nutshell...I too dislike folks who criticize without any kind of constructive comments!

Answer 5

I love Christopher Paolini's books, and I don't care how old he was or how many he had written prior to that. They stand up to my fantasy enjoyment.
Yes, I do not like to hear critics going on about how bad something is. What are their qualifications to tell me what I might like or dislike? Let them create, then see how talented they are, otherwise, shut up. I came to find that most movies that are lampooned by the critics are my favorites.

Answer 6

i don't even consider people like that as giving criticism. They are simply expressing disappointment that it wasn't them. Now, if someone had a valid point for hating Paolini or anyone like him, I would listen, but only if it was valid. Not personal hatred.

Answer 7

people are just jealous, they wish it was so for them, but really would you want it that easy, now he has a much harder time because he got it handed to him that he has to be over the top perfect to make people think that he wasn't just a mistake.