by Jim
So I’ve gotten this question a lot ever since I posted my piece of how to handle criticism. From people wondering how to write criticism without insulting the creator or their work.
The best I can offer in the way of advice is to just be respectful, be constructive, and avoid hyperbole.
For example:
“This book sucks!” <This is not constructive.
“I didn’t care for this book.” <More polite, but still not constructive.
“I didn’t like this book. I felt it was far too drawn out. The story would have been good, but the writer spent too much time on physical descriptions and alteration that it took me right out of the story.” < DING DING DING DING!!! This is exactly what you want.
“I liked the story, but was really turned off when the writer took his main character out of the story to go on a political tirade. It just really didn’t seem like it was part of the story or had any relevance. Had he left this out, it would have been a decent story.” < (Looking at you Marvel) This is also constructive.
So that’s pretty much how to do it. Be courteous, be constructive. Say what you didn’t like, why you didn’t like it, and what you might suggest for future writing .
Jim, I followed your advice and got a very harshly worded response from the creator.
Ugh, yes this will happen from time to time. Not everyone is going to agree with you or appreciate your opinion. Basically they just want positive comments, they want yes men and nothing else. Honestly, don’t worry about these people. They are the ones with the problem, not you.
Hope this helps. Readers, please let me know below if you think there’s more we can do or if my advice is missing something.
Readers,
Do you have a question about writing, publishing, my stories, etc? Please feel free to post a comment or email me.
jimthewritingwizard@gmail.com
I’ll use those comments to select my next blog post.
I have been writing for several years, have 4 published works, experience with publishing and independent work, so I can hopefully be of assistance.
Please note, I only do one of these a day and will do my best to respond to everyone, but it may take some time.
Also, feel free to check out my works of Fantasy and Historical Fiction, Available on Amazon and where ever books are sold. See the link below:
http://www.amazon.com/James-Harrington/e/B00P7FBXTU
Thanks friends!
Catch you on the flip side!
-Jim
James Harringtons Creative Work 
For a week or so my reader feed has been filled with book bloggers upset over angry author feedback after they’ve given am honest review. It makes me really sad. Especially as the business of books continues this monumental shift toward Indie and small press, book bloggers and reviewers are essential for connecting readers and books. We need the peopke. And we need them to have credibility. It would be nice if they were always constructive and generally positive, and you can certainly do your research and query some that seem like a good fit for your book. But at some point authors are just going to have to put on their big kid pants and realize that not every reader is going to love their books, and reviewers are readers, too.
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A true artist appreciates valid negative feedback. “This book sucks!” Is hardly valid.
Constructive criticism from reasonably qualified sources is a valuable tool in improving ones work, and that goes for any medium.
I am more than a little amused when I see someone’s negative review in my genre, but 99% of what they’ve given positive reviews on is polar of the other.
If you don’t like , why are you reading it?
I distrust my beta readers for fear they are telling me what I they think I want to hear. What I really want to hear is what’s wrong with a story, not only what’s right.
Yes, it stings sometimes, but that sting helps me learn my craft.
I enjoyed this article very much. Your personal tone is very welcoming, and the content very thorough.
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I’m reviewing in part to make myself a better storyteller, so I always try to find positives and negatives, and sometimes when the negative list is longer than the positive I still ultimately enjoyed it because the positives were still stronger.
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