No, I would like to ask this because there have been varied views on this. Most times, I think that we bring our works here for both appraisal and approval… It would seem others simply want to show or something?
Maybe it is the critics that don’t know how to do their job well or something. Please, I would like our thoughts on criticism here…It would really help a lot so that some of us would know how to go on. Would be great…and while we are at it, can we talk of a few people’s critiquing skills?

Maybe I should invoke the spirits of the general critics of the land @petunia007, @emmanuella, @raymond , @julemyles @scopeman60 @seun @myne @saintvinny @shaifamily @banky @guywriterer @… Hand don dey pain me already…Weya, everyone else… After these discussions, I know how I would go on…truly. For now, can we make this the Critique council or rather, ‘Critique panel on continuation and movement’ Looking for members of the panel so we proceed with public hearings

What is it that you feel the critics are not doing right. Do you think some critiques on NS tend to be harsh or finicky?

@petunia007, you have been doing soooo much criticism of late, as I have. I believe most of us do it in food faith but sometimes, it seems there should be a way to do it. My first reference (and inspirer of this) is @midas critique of @afronuts Love Jazz 2.
Maybe there is also the genesis of @Ikhide ‘s suggestion that we have more buddy critiquing and @biyicrown‘s ditto. Let me accuse @kaycee again who accepted and blessed Rasheed (@biyicrown).
Summary, we have to agree on a way we want to be critiquing and also how we want to take people’s reactions. It would help because in Love Jazz 2, I had my thoughts but seeing the comments on @midas…ha! I entered my shell and just wrote the last paragraph of my thoughts. Over to me Ms. Watson.

Most on Ns believe that they have to encourage by saying “nice” to a writers rubbish.
We should stop encouraging mediocrity.
If a post is good, say so, if its bad, by all means say so too.

I seriously hate however, when critics try to change a writers style, content or even a whole story to conform to their own peculiarities.
Feel free to correct typos and grammer and ‘suggest’ corrections.
You guys should read my poem NS writers(to critics). I think that was the title.

I agree with @kaycee on this one. Comment what you feel. You won’t help a writer if you tell him his bad work is good. However, I do not support over harshness that will send a writer to his shell.

Some people are strong and handle criticisms really well, others can’t. So my point is just say what you feel in an okay enough way to drive your point without evoking bad feelings.

Just say what you feel about a post. Also say it how you want to say it. Those who can write a long comment should write. Those who can write one line should write.

At the end of the day, just enjoy it.

I think people should just take whatever anybody says. In real life, can you control what people say about you? It’s the same when it comes to stories. I know some criticisms feel over-harsh and unwarranted but hmm, have you read some book reviews. At least this one is still here on NS where we’re all still struggling to be good writers..imagine having a completely finished work, published and everything and you think you’re a professional then one newspaper editor or critic somewhere says your work is ‘a binful of garbage’? I read a review where the critic used those words exactly..
So I think people should get just take whatever anybody says. If you feel its constructive, good. If you don’t agree, good. In the end, I feel criticism is always good, especially when you get it from many people because then you can tell from the average whether your work is good or not. Many good reviews equals good work usually. And many bad or harsh reviews usually equal a badly written piece. Just my own thoughts on this anyway. Bottomline, don’t try to censor criticism. That kind of thing never helps anybody. Isn’t that what GEJ is trying to do with soldiers everywhere now? Take it like a man.

Who is @bubbllinna, some one must have torn her post apart.
Hahahahahaha
The criticisms writers get on NS ????? nothing compared to waht they would get from the larger societies.
You should read the criticisms on Soyinka and Achebe.
If you can’t take harsh criticisms just forget about writing.
I am not on NS to pet anybody. Nobody pets me. And I never insult any one either.
And of course I would crack fun on some posts.
Lol

@Kaycee…Well said jare.

I write my stuff and don’t give a damn what destructive critics say. Who made them authority to tear and rubbish a work that so many others are applauding or appreciating? This is not to say there are no critics who criticize constructively and thus encourage the writer.

To hell with the notion that a writer must have a thick skin. How can you posit that everyone must be the same? Some writers are sensitive others are strong-willed. You can’t have them all like that.

As for every writer, if you were to listen to every critic you’d end up not having your own voice and having your creativity diminish.

Whether we writers like it or not, the harsh critics will always be there..after all, some of them claim to have critic ‘style’ whatever that means. I just feel you are either constructive or destructive i.e…you either help sieve the garri or you pour sand in it!

I’m always ready for critics…let them bring it on. After all its easy to talk than to get down and write a story!