This is seriously ****ed up

[LizW65]

Apparently, a SF writer has threatened the life of an anthology editor/critic over a bad review:

http://docbrite.livejournal.com/656896.html

Kids, do NOT try this at home.

[Starbeam]

Really?  The logic behind that guy just makes me go huh?

And on a completely unrelated tangent...kitty in a subwoofer!!

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

Way to obliterate any possibility of having a writing career in one easy move.

[kero319]

at least he won't get anymore bad reviews...since he will have no more books

[Lord Rae]

He said he was in it for the art. lol.

Honestly the best advice I got from my art professor in college was to to expect and treasure criticism you received. Criticism is far more valuable than praise in most cases.

[Paranoid Wizard]

If you're in it for the art of it, then you have no reason to be getting your work published.

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

If you're in it for the art of it, then you have no reason to be getting your work published.

Not hardly;  you can want to get your story out to people who will appreciate it, which to my mind counts as being in it for the art, without thinking "this is a way of making money".

[Paranoid Wizard]

Not hardly;  you can want to get your story out to people who will appreciate it, which to my mind counts as being in it for the art, without thinking "this is a way of making money".

Well, yeah, there's that, but if you're in it for the art, then shouldn't you also be willing to except that not everyone is going to view it the way you do? I don't know, the guy just seems out of it, to me.

[cephis]

That dude was just pissed off because someone agreed with what the voices in his own head tells him.  I suspect it may have been his sense of taste

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

Well, yeah, there's that, but if you're in it for the art, then shouldn't you also be willing to except that not everyone is going to view it the way you do? I don't know, the guy just seems out of it, to me.

This guy is completely crazy, no argument; I just don't think being in it for the art and wanting to get published are exclusive at all. 

[Persephone]

To paraphrase the master: Jim Butcher

"Sometimes they (his beta readers) will make a comment that makes me really mad, but usually as I'm flying off the handle a voice in my head says "You know your only this mad because they're right." "

He went on to say he doesn't understand why anyone would volunteer to be abused by a writer.

My point in all this is, usually the criticism that hurts the most, are the ones we feel are valid. How to fix that? Apply it to your writing, and regain your confidence through self improvement... NOT through threatening the guy who pointed out your weakness.

[Infamous as Elle!]

There is a fine balance between criticism and pure snark though.  I can't read the article from my job but you have to learn the difference between those that will speak in order to teach you a harsh lesson and those that say something just to be mean.

You also can't please everyone all the time but yes, sometimes admitting mistakes is the hardest thing to overcome.  It's also what makes you the most angry because we tend to be our own harshest critics.

[LizW65]

There is a fine balance between criticism and pure snark though.  I can't read the article from my job but you have to learn the difference between those that will speak in order to teach you a harsh lesson and those that say something just to be mean.

You also can't please everyone all the time but yes, sometimes admitting mistakes is the hardest thing to overcome.  It's also what makes you the most angry because we tend to be our own harshest critics.

Well, in this case it wasn't something I'd consider either snark or meanness; it was just a single line to the effect that the relationships didn't feel believable.  Barely qualified as a review, in fact, so the guy's reaction seemed way out of proportion.

[Shecky]

To paraphrase the master: Jim Butcher

"Sometimes they (his beta readers) will make a comment that makes me really mad, but usually as I'm flying off the handle a voice in my head says "You know your only this mad because they're right." "

Huh. I missed one. Where'd you find that?

[Infamous as Elle!]

He did fly off the handle.  Yikes!