Thank you for your comment. Since you took it down, I will respect your privacy and not post it in its entirety. However, I am going to quote you as I write my response.
“So I am a person that ALWAYS reads your blog. Every single post.”
This tells me that you’re at least slightly interested in what I have to say. Whether or not you like it, you do spend the time reading it.
Later, you mention that you don’t criticize my writing for four reasons. To sum them up:
1. My writing is too special to me, so critiquing it is too harsh
2. I didn’t make it clear previously to now that I was open to critique
3. I need to seek criticism from “qualified” people. Later you mention that “lot of us aren't the people to tell you”
4. Because my writing is as personal as it is, it’s more like critiquing me than my craft
My response to those reasons is fairly simple.
I do understand it being difficult to critique the writing of other people. That’s why workshop classes can be so intense. I have a minor in English – mostly creative writing non-fiction – and sometimes class got very heated or very emotional. Writing a response paper can be intensely emotional.
It is true that I haven’t specifically requested criticism, however, the way I look at it – a blog with an open comment box sort of asks for it. So, I just sort of expected it to happen naturally. But that is something that I could have asked for earlier on in my blog. Which is also something I expected to happen after writing an assessment of my blog as well as explaining my feelings on trolls and bloggers.
One hundred percent agreement on the third thing. I do need to seek opinions from “qualified” people. Which I do. I have several who read my blog and give their opinions either verbally or through email. Also, my “real” pieces (i.e.: the 19-page essay I wrote last week) are sent to several people who were/are creative writing majors/minors or have even been published. However, I want criticism from the “lay” people almost more so than from these “qualified” people because the “lay” people are those who would be purchasing my writing if I do get published at some point.
Writing is always personal. To clarify: non-fiction writing and personal essay is always incredibly personal. But that is what I have been trained to write and enjoy writing, so an intense piece written about how hard it was to be at my uncle’s funeral (or what have you) is going to be hard for me have critiqued, but it is an ability that I have chosen to develop and therefore accepting criticism of my personal stories is something I have to be open to.
You continue…
“Stop writing only about yourself. The world is not just about you. Someone who can write like you can could be writing about serious issues… You could make a real difference. You need to decide if you want to.”
I agree that the world is not just about me. I thoroughly agree. Those who know me well may go so far as to tell you that I need to think more about myself. I need to focus on me and be less available to those who need me. My writing, as stated above, is non-fiction. Meaning it is about me. That seems narcissistic, but that’s the craft I’m developing. Thank you very much for the compliment, however. It’s awesome to hear you say that I have an ability to make a difference. My boss read that part and said, “…wants you to change his life, believes you can.” You, a “lay” person, the Everyman of my blog following, are giving me that credit. Believing that just the words I type could change a life.
Yes, you do say that I should not wring only about, “how wonderful and talented you have been or what insignificant things have happened in your day,” but at the same time are willing to admit that I can make a difference through this blog. And go on to say, “I'm a faithful fan and will continue reading. Keep writing.”
My overall response is this: Please read my blog in a different light. Read it with the understanding that this blog is written for me as a therapy as well as a way to develop my abilities in creative writing non-fiction. I don’t have any training (or gifting – trust me) to write poetry or fiction. I have a passion for writing about what happens to me and around me. Some of the things that have happened to me are things that I know others can resonate with.
Also, I am planning on writing (and have cracked the surface) on a book regarding an issue that I don’t want to share on here based on personal reasons. I will expand on that at some point and will eventually be attempting to get it published. But, it will have a lot of personal stories in it in order to give me some level of credibility.
I thoroughly appreciated your comment and am glad I have a follower willing to share that with me. Thank you so much for reading my blog. Keep it up.
Sincerely,
Kristen
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