if people are looking for concrit either asking or looking for a beta makes a lot of sense!

ao3commentoftheday:

So I’ve been thinking of how to really add to the discussion that’s been going on over here about concrit and criticism feedback in general and the two camps that are kind of at odds (“I should be able to leave negative feedback, its helpful to the writer and also more true to myself” vs the more modern “Don’t leave criticism unless it’s asked for” viewpoint) and getting this anon message kind of helped me solidify my own views.

First of all, I realize Anon’s message is about art and not writing but I think that the basic concepts apply to both. Secondly, as much as getting this ask stung like hell this was left on my Original Content blog not my fanfic blog, where I DO sell my work for money, so I actually do consider it a little bit more reasonable to criticize something formally (if independently) published and presented as a product rather than fic which is presented to you for free.

But this is far from the first time I’ve been criticised in this particular kind of way and this sort of mean spirited attitude has been present in every single creative works community I’ve ever been involved with, from webcomics to fanfiction to drawing groups. We’ve all known someone who stands by “If I can’t say negative things then I’m not being true to myself and I have a right to be Honest even if it’s mean” which is the issue I think the “if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all” culture shift has tried to address.

The thing is, all people working on creative works of any kind want to improve ourselves. Of course we do. If you really care about helping people to improve…. you beta. You offer to help your friends with their editing process. There are LOTS of avenues in which advice and concrit is welcomed and accepted and even sought out. In my own experience, the only people who are INSISTANT that they be able to leave concrit on strangers work…. don’t want to leave concrit. They want to leave insults. They want to be mean and not be questioned for it.

I cried for 20 minutes after I got this message. It HURT. And it was obviously INTENDED to. There was nothing helpful or constructive in it, it was just mean for the sake of being mean, and although I don’t know the anon that wrote in to say “I’m a fault finder by nature” and I don’t KNOW if they present their words in this manor, but I can tell you that Ive known people who wear being mean like this as a badge of honor. “I’m just honest” they say. “You just have to deal with it” they insist. “If you’re hurt by my words YOU are the one with the problem” I’ve been told. I need to have a thicker skin, I need to be more receptive to critism if I want to improve, their meanness is for my own good.

The culture didn’t shift away from allowing concrit at ALL. That’s a huge misunderstanding of the situation. The culture simply shifted away from allowing unsolicited concrit from STRANGERS. It shifted towards beta readers and writing groups and seeking advice from those you look up to. It shifted away from welcoming and patting assholes on the back.

If you REALLY care about helping creative people, become a beta reader. Don’t be an asshole.

thanks for the submission and sharing your experience

and it might not help much, but *hugs*