Hello critics, should I like you? (Anita Butani)

Hello critics, should I like you? (Anita Butani)
(This was not a piece of writing in the usual sense, but a discussion about criticism)

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Regarding readership that posts get, I think it is the same as books. There's the habit of reading only the genres, topics and styles that we like. In this case, skipping posts isn't about quality. A professional critic would be required to read a lot, but even they aren't asked to read every kind of book; they do specialize in certain kinds of writing.

Sometimes I read but don't comment because the poor quality is not grammar or spelling or clichés, those are simple to point out. Sometimes its more complex - something felt, but hard to explain. Blame my lack of vocabulary for becoming speechless at that point.

If its merely a personal preference, I keep that to myself. I have my dislikes - the maudlin, the cutesy, the grandiose, people who don't revise their work. But its a preference, not criticism.

Criticism from others is a good thing, but one also has to learn to see one's own work critically. Looking in the mirror is essential before we go out of the house and let others see us - catch the toilet paper stuck to heels, mascara on the nose, unzipped fly, etc instead of leaving it to others to point out.

Aparna (milika)