What sort of comment is most helpful or preferred?

[Mike Handley]

A vent and a question ... 

In the last 48 hours on this site, I've been asked for my honest opinion on a piece, AND I've had an unsolicited comment deleted by another writer whose ego apparently cannot weather constructive criticism. I was happy to oblige the first, and I was pissed at the second -- since the criticism was on target. I actually liked the story and thought it both poignant and well written, except for a faulty simile.

I've been a writer and editor for three decades. While certainly fallible, I know the mechanics. A background in journalism has also instilled in me the most important of lessons: Do not make your reader stumble.

So my question, boys and girls, is what do YOU want in a comment? A lot of our posts are purely recreational. Some are snippets from what has been or is hoped to be published. I've wrestled with this ever since I joined 6S, and I'm apparently no closer to solving the riddle now than I was on day one, when I came across my first mixed metaphor.

What say y'all?

[Javed Baloch]

It's a discussion forum Peter, no sixes or tens here. A rant, if you will ...

[Cita]

This thread must have been rocking the main page while I was in the woods, chasing cows.  But because I am in my office for a bit this morning, I want to weigh in.

WARNING:  Do what I say and not what I do!!!

I love honest critique and Gita is someone I totally admire bc she will tell me when I have used a wrong word, or spelled something wrong, or my reasoning is faulty.  I think honest and real critique is valuable. 

Do I do the same?  No.  If I read a piece, and like Angela said, it doesn't have that WOW factor, I simply move on.  If a piece has the WOW factor and is powerful, sometimes I wait a few hours before commenting because I am absorbing.   I rarely post a negative or critical comment.  But I do want those I adore to know when I am moved.

There are writers on here that I simply do not read.  I don't click in.  Why?  They don't interest me.  They have yet to give me tingles in the soles of my feet.  They  may be good writers, but not the kind that turn me on.

And... I would expect the same thing from own posts... the people who read and always click through either are tolerant of my craziness or like what I write.

And like Sandra said, I have come to a place that I don't need comments as much as I need the blank white space to create... and that is a relief.

[Abhi Kantamneni]

I was wondering about the exact same thing.

I am not a writer in the same, um 'flavor' like most of you guys on this website. I dont think I can write such mellifluous prose, for instance, or invoke bizzare imagery or work with dialects.

I usually write observational pieces and social satire type thing. I look for comments that tell me if they have found it informative, instructive or perhaps funny. I would love it if someone corrected by grammar (god knows I am not good at it, but in my defense English is not my first language, it just happens to be one of the 7 that I can speak), but that is definitely not what I look for.

I get very self conscious though when I comment on other people's posts. I usually write in a stream of consciousness sort of way, and just mention that first thing that comes to my mind after I read the post. Usually a post may trigger a past memory or a funny story, and that would go into my comment.

I dont know if that practice is frowned upon here, and I have not asked anyone yet so I will be glad if someone can clear that up for me.

[Abhi Kantamneni]

 Oh and I must say, I really commend people like Teresa and Edward who read most of the things I write, and always have something to say. I really wish I could do the same, but most of the time I dont know what to say on most posts, since I really feel most people here are better prose writers than myself.

aaaaaaaaaand it just dawned on me that the original post is at least a year old. heh

[Teresa]

Abhi, observational pieces and social satire are great.  I'm glad you're here.  I comment on all your sixes because I really enjoy them...  

You speak SEVEN languages?  Amazing.  And btw, your other website is a blast.  Looks like quite a few others agree by the number of followers you have.  I hope you continue making time for 6S.   

[Angela]

I pretty much appreciate all comments, and if you relate to something I write in a personal way, I like to hear about it (memory, anecdote, story, etc.).

Also, as Teresa says, your writing fills a slot that was heretofore sometimes empty.

Anyway, my message to you is "Don't be shy, and keep coming back.".

[Kathleen Gabriel]

HI, Mike! Maybe people could say which they prefer in their note at the top of the piece? Everyone's different. I don't like yes men (well, in certain contexts I do, but I digress!), but I know others do. btw, maybe you'd read my story on Jeanette's blog, http://cavalcadeofstars.wordpress.com/  

[Mike Handley]

HOWLLLLLLLL ... Backatcha, COB.

[Javed Baloch]

I agree with you on that one Mike. It's always kinda hard to pick and choose which of the writers one can forward suggestions to, and the ones who would go all cranky over it. I have even encountered writers (not from 6S, mind you) who keep telling me how open to criticism / suggestion they are and blah blah. And when I oblige, the not so pretty reactions are smack back at my face! Lol!

[Carolyn]

Me? I prefer honest comments. Sometimes I don't like what I hear, but that's me and the honesty, I asked for it and I got it. If I overreact, tell me, and I'll apologize (I know because I just did at another site). Honest comments are the only way I'll know whether something works or not, and if I have repeating problems.

[Kay Sera]

How much do you hate my posts? Each is riddled with grammatical mistakes, some of which I'm sure I don't even know the proper term for. (purple prose? mixed metaphor? what??!)

In all seriousness, I am writing for the sake of writing. I welcome criticism, but I have no plans of publishing any pieces from this site. I need to learn so much more about the craft of writing before any attempt at publication. If your malicious red pen is hovering over my page, scribble down whatever comment you believe will best help my learning. I might get confused, but I likely won't get offended.

[Judy Thompson]

Just found this. I"ve wondered about the lack of serious crit in here, and while I realize much of what we do is merely 'adventuring with words' there are now and then pieces that need revision, things that can be adjusted to read more clearly, all the little bits of grammar and language that are so easy to miss or slide over.

My assumption was that a lot of it happens behind the scenes.

And yeah, if something I write misses, for technical reasons,  please let me know.  I've been on poetry crit boards for years and have learned how valuable they can be,  if only to solidify my own sense that "no, I was right the first time".   It's almost always useful to have a dialog about something I've struggled over, to find a better way to say it, or find out there IS no better way--

Praise is nice, but thoughtful  "this doesnt work for me..." is useful too.  I usually can tell when something is off, but being a lazy writer,  Im probably not going to do much about it unless someone hollers about it.