tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post6437073813047340499..comments2024-02-17T17:59:25.010+10:00Comments on Christian Writers Downunder: Criticism - A Thorny GiftJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-59160077286039610582013-06-20T11:04:30.893+10:002013-06-20T11:04:30.893+10:00Jenny, great post. Criticism is something we all n...Jenny, great post. Criticism is something we all need to learn to del with. But when critiquing work I always try and give the positives to begin with and at the end, like you said as a sandwich.Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-561832298418639342013-06-19T10:35:37.503+10:002013-06-19T10:35:37.503+10:00Hi Jenny,
Thank you for such an open and honest p...Hi Jenny,<br /><br />Thank you for such an open and honest post. It shows that although you may struggle with criticism you have a heart of trust to put yourself out there. I am sure this will be a key to your success. Meeting you this was evident. I pray God rewards your perseverance and courage.<br /><br />Have you read John Bevere’s book The Bait Of Satin? I would highly recommend it.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />KayleenKayleen West - Children Author/Illustratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18102357041523253163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-48423947021191699202013-06-17T08:53:41.726+10:002013-06-17T08:53:41.726+10:00I chuckled Paula at seeing the image the cringe as...I chuckled Paula at seeing the image the cringe as the critique sandwich is delivered. Someone once told me (it may have been John Savage) that we generally only hear what is said after the "but" rather than what's said before it. Also, I know I often zero in on the negative comments without fully appreciating the positives. I think the positive comments need to be genuine and maybe in a stand alone sentence or better still paragraphs - not just as a sugar coating to make the negatives slip down easier. <br /><br />And you are right! I have had a few great teachers but Mr Steubins has to be my favourite. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-121323318970617252013-06-17T08:46:14.841+10:002013-06-17T08:46:14.841+10:00Thanks Rita. Over this last year, I'm beginnin...Thanks Rita. Over this last year, I'm beginning to see constructive criticism of my works in progress as gold. As with you, it has indeed improved my manuscripts.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-15829565820700220032013-06-16T20:43:28.741+10:002013-06-16T20:43:28.741+10:00I reckon I can sometimes sense when a critique san...I reckon I can sometimes sense when a critique sandwich is coming. People have a way of delivering the first sentence in such a way that I'm bracing myself for the 'but'.<br />Thanks for the interesting post, Jenny. I really agree that is a skill in delivering constructive criticism in such a way that the recipient feels uplifted instead of disappointed or put down. <br />I've had some valuable lessons in both giving and receiving it. <br />BTW, that sounds like a great legacy you received from Mr Steubins :)Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-26843609628207156722013-06-16T15:48:53.834+10:002013-06-16T15:48:53.834+10:00What a helpful post, Jeanette! Especially to those...What a helpful post, Jeanette! Especially to those who are just starting out in their writing. Criticism is going to come in all its forms, so it's good to be prepared and ready to recognize the good from the bad. <br /><br />I heartily agree with: "There is an art to giving criticism as well as receiving it. Perhaps criticism is akin to pruning. A judicious pruning shapes the rose bush, strengthening it and encouraging it to flower in abundance. A too vicious and careless pruning might stunt the bush."<br /><br />I recently received some very very helpful criticism and it improved my M/S immensely.Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-59767279882381568022013-06-15T16:07:34.569+10:002013-06-15T16:07:34.569+10:00Hi Anusha. That sounds like an interesting book an...Hi Anusha. That sounds like an interesting book and an excellent point. Sometimes we do learn through our harshest critics. Of course, sometimes criticism can be totally ungrounded too. But even in that situation it helps me to know that God is the judge between me and my (unjust) critic - and He knows the truth. <br /><br />I really appreciate constructive critique of my work now - it helps make it stronger. Personal criticism is a bit harder to handle - but my hunch is that the more we know God loves and accepts us despite our failures, the more we are to able to deal with both warranted and unjust criticism. <br /><br />On the other hand, I think we need to be careful we don't crush others by being too harsh (even if what we say is true). <br /><br />So perhaps we need to be strong on the inside and gentle on the outside - if that makes sense.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-49000262518073147212013-06-15T15:58:25.686+10:002013-06-15T15:58:25.686+10:00I also meant to say that I offer my critique as my...I also meant to say that I offer my critique as my opinion - after all I might be wrong (it has been known to happen) - rather than the absolute truth. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-78485882526032831162013-06-15T15:54:23.056+10:002013-06-15T15:54:23.056+10:00Hi Adam. Yes, that's true. It's much easie...Hi Adam. Yes, that's true. It's much easier to handle constructive criticism and when I critique other people's writing I always try to find what's good as well as what might need improving. It is much harder to take when it's totally negative and/or given in anger or malice. However, even then there may be some truth in what is said and we may be able to learn from it. Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-45874986037828261002013-06-15T15:47:02.783+10:002013-06-15T15:47:02.783+10:00Thanks Margaret - That's a great quote from Ed...Thanks Margaret - That's a great quote from Edison.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-87183878148984781042013-06-15T11:45:23.008+10:002013-06-15T11:45:23.008+10:00Thanks for your interesting post Jenny. I think cr...Thanks for your interesting post Jenny. I think criticism can hurt. But critique is always good. Perhaps the difference is that often criticism's motive is not noble whereas critique's motive is to help constructively. I admit that I struggle with criticism or critique. So a good thing to cultivate - to learn from - to be humbled by too. Thanks Jenny. Something all of us Christians need in order to grow! I was listening to an audio book called 'Spiritual Leadership' by Oswald Saunders. He says that a Christian leader can grow and learn even through malicious criticism. Something good to aspire to! Anushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17508779195790570276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-41045979351207045442013-06-15T10:31:35.703+10:002013-06-15T10:31:35.703+10:00I've handled it okay so far, the few times I&#...I've handled it okay so far, the few times I've received constructive criticism. I still get a little nervous at the thought though. I think true constructive criticism is easier to take than the really negative stuff that is not given from a helpful heart - but I guess we don't need to listen to that kind.Adam David Collingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18072000680990534407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-69873217507525350932013-06-15T09:57:49.871+10:002013-06-15T09:57:49.871+10:00Ah... constructive criticism... Thomas Edison once...Ah... constructive criticism... Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." And each one of those ways was another step to success. Thanks for this thought provoking post, Jeanette!<br />Margaret Lepkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08147233663724759684noreply@blogger.com