Just words..
There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.
The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say. ~Anaïs Nin
Let me walk through the fields of paper
touching with my wand
dry stems and stunted
butterflies….
~Denise Levertov, “A Walk through the Notebooks”
Just words
A writer told me. You are too kind. Never a negative comment in public places. I told him. Negative words do not help. If you want to assist. Assist in private.
My advice is simple for all writers. Every poem or story need the when, where, who, why and how of every action or situation. Must describe location, characters and the situation. Make each scene come alive.
I’m far from perfect. I need to edit more and stay in the same tenses. You can confuse and lose the reader when you jump around. A proper edit and re-read with patience, every poem or story. Seek help and be thankful when given.
Words, my friend. Shared are gifts for us readers. If you don’t like style, subject matter or plot. Don’t read. The world is large and wild. Better to learn and try to understand the words shared.
Just words. Words can change our world. For better or worst?
Coyote/John Castellenas
You’re right to use Anaiis Nin’s quote, and that’s why I’m telling you what your followers are reluctant to tell you because you might stop liking their blogs. But I don’t care about those things.
Let’s take a closer look at your response and the ideas you present. You claim that negative comments in public have no value and that criticism should be delivered only in private. You also suggest that if someone dislikes a style or subject, they should simply move on without comment. On the surface, this sounds polite and supportive, but it conveniently ignores the real function of public discourse in the literary world.
First, let’s address the notion that “negative words do not help.” Honest, public criticism is not about tearing people down. It is about engaging with the work, holding writers accountable, and pushing the craft forward. If every writer followed your advice and only whispered their true opinions in private, literature would stagnate. Public critique is how we learn, how we sharpen our ideas, and how we separate genuine talent from self-indulgence. If a writer cannot handle public feedback, perhaps they are not ready for the public stage.
You have also criticized other writers in your work, stating that they are negative, whereas you prefer to be positive, so the quote that you are using here is self-contradictory. Furthermore, having read your work, it appears that you employ a passive-aggressive approach in responding to your critics. I’ll be remiss not to remind you that you called your friends’ wives fat, and while you have the literary freedom to do so, you are also preaching about kindness and to take criticism in private. Isn’t that stupid?
You also say, “If you don’t like style, subject matter or plot. Don’t read.” This is a convenient way to avoid accountability. Writers who publish on public forums are not just sharing with friends. They are entering a conversation with the world. That conversation includes praise, but it also includes challenge and disagreement. If you only want applause, keep your writing in a locked drawer.
You mention that words are gifts and that we should be thankful for what is shared. I agree that writing is an act of generosity, but that generosity goes both ways. Readers offer their time and attention, and they have every right to respond honestly. If a writer is willing to criticize others, even in a passive-aggressive way, they should expect the same in return. Respect is not a one-way street.
Finally, you quote Anaïs Nin: “The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.” That is a beautiful sentiment, but it is not a shield against critique. If your words are meant to reach what others cannot express, then you must also be open to hearing when you have missed the mark. Otherwise, you are not writing for connection, but for ego.
In the end, just as words can change our world, so can honest criticism. The world of literature is large and wild, as you say. It is also full of voices who will disagree, challenge, and push you to do better. That is not cruelty. That is how art evolves.
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Great advice. Works for readers as well as book banners. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. Don’t assume that everyone shares your perspectives and choices. Your minor children, absolutely your decision.🤓😉😇
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