Forgive me, but you, my devoted 3 or 4 readers, were unknowing guinea pigs in a little experiment I wanted to perform. I got the idea from reading Brannon's most recent blog entry about his music. Let me explain...
OK, so we all pretty much have aspirations to write, and we want feedback that will help us become better. I was sitting here looking over my oldest posts, and at the comments there, and they didn't really tell me anything about my writing. As I thought about how B submitted his song to a site where strangers voted on it, it occured to me that it is very difficult for most people to objectively criticize the artistic endeavors of people they like. One of my character flaws, I believe, is that often in the past I have been brutally honest with the people I care about, often when it was support or loyalty, and not honesty, that they really needed. I know that most, if not all of you can probably recount many times where I said something that came off as insensitive or callous, and I want to thank you all now for still sticking by me in spite of this. Anyway, I bring up my own shortcoming in this regard because it contrasts a common trait in close friends which is exemplified by comments on my most recent (but now deleted) post. What I found was basically what I expected; since we are all close and care for one another, we see each other's work through rose-colored glasses. I appreciate that you sent the supportive comments you did on my story, and noticed that the "critical" comments were very non-harsh. This, though, brings me to the point of my experiment: Beauty (or quality, as the case happens to be) is in the eye of the beholder... Let me explain.
Now, in reality, the story I posted was not my own. It was a section of what is regarded among serious Science Fiction fans as the worst-written story ever put to paper. If you are interested, the story is called The Eye of Argon and it is a cult-classic. In fact, for years people have made a game of trying to see who can read the most out-loud without cracking up. I highly suggest you check it out in its entirety; it will entertain you. Anyway, sorry for fooling you, and I promise I will only write my own words from here on out; but I thank you all for your charity and I hope that whatever everyone is working on, that they will post it to anonymous sites where you can get unbiased opinions. I really do believe that your stories and music are quite good, but I am as biased towards you as you are towards me. :)
17 comments:
Yes, I held back... as was prudent because like you, I have thrown my well intended honest opinions out before, only to hurt someone. That being said, Tyson, what I want most when I throw my writing "out there..." is an honest opinion. Please be honest. I do truly welcome it. It won't damage me, my thoughts of you... and I promise no matter what you say, I will still allow B to play with you. ;) If you like, I will offer my honest opinion of your work...
I have submitted the works currently on my blog to unbiased, authoritative, and/or anonymous entities before. Well okay... what you see is the revised work after I received feedback from the unbiased, authoritative, and/or anonymous entities.
I have had only one friend who could really take me to task on my writing. I miss it.
PS. Naturally, if you do not wish to dedicate the time... I fully understand.
On Garageband .com they cut me to pieces and I stuck it out. Though at times I wanted to give in to the voice in my head that said "what were you thinking. Your no good" They didn't know who I was or the name of my song. There was nothing I could do to retaliate if I wanted to. I just had to take it.
They admore me on iComp. We all adore each other actually. I suspect its because we can retaliate. It is the only differance between the 2 sites.
I didn't leave a comment on your story because I can't tell a good story from bad one. Anyway, how much credence would you give to my opinion your writing. I only know what I like. . . . and I don't like much. Its the same with music.
I know goddamn well my music isn't going to sound good to everyone. Thats not the point. This isn't a contest to me and I'm not trying to break the top 40. I am trying to express myself. We all are. And we all listen. I can't write stories. I can barely put together a proper sentence, but I can write music.
Not only do I not expect you to like my music, I also don't expect you to say so - if you say anyhting at all. It's all good.
When I first started this, I presented my music to every possible web site I could find. I wondered If the rest of the community liked my stuff. Well, the simple answer is some do and some don't. And that will aways be the case.
I will occassionally fish for compliments. But I do that less and less now that I have settled into a more comfortable place with my music. It's not black and white anymore.
I just want people to listen. Don't you?
"Now, in reality, the story I posted is not my own." That reads like the bad reveal monologue of a supervillian at the end of a thriller novel. Seriously, you are such a goober. If you want someone to be brutally honest about something, I'm up for it! ;)
Did anyone read "Eye of Argon" yet?
Have I read Eye of Argon yet? Tyson... there has been an hour and 14 minutes between my post about your little deception and your latest response. Dude... I have a fucking life. Though noticeabley not much of one since I am back here posting again. Besides... I didn't like it the first time. I don't want to read more. The sci-fi-romance novel thing... not me. My shit may suck, but Goddamn that was bad. I am just glad it wasn't "...in reality yours." I was worried I had grossly underestimated you. Then I got all freaked out that you didn't get the feedback you wanted and had hurt feelings. Not to mention I was a little annoyed over having to read about another friggin' furry critter, two in a row, on your blog. And, now I'm rambling.
errr, uh... "over"-estimated that would be.
For the record...
one creature was furry, and the other one, feathered.
And I also want to say explicitly here that my "Eye of Argon" post was just for fun, and in no way reflects how I think of any of you or your stuff. Unlike Brannon, I like nearly everything, and especially stuff from people I already like...which was kind of my point.
Oh, and Erin...
Are you making fun of me?!
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs are furry... if I count the little birdy, that makes 3 animal posts. I had forgotten about the bird. Then Tammy with horses... Erin with her animal rhymes. It's like Dr. Doolittle lately.
Your post did not offend in any way. I certainly did not take anything personally. I have been so desperate for an honest review, I have even lied to people about my work being someone else's. So, I also have played a deception or two.
I am not so desperate for honesty anymore, as I am for quality. I have gotten honest criticism from idiots. 'Twasn't helpful one bit.
So anyway... my offer still stands for anyone up for it. Honest opinions exchanged freely, but curtiously.
The writter should not get his/her feelings hurt, but neither should the critic if the suggestions are not taken. I have been in that boat too... and actually found it far more uncomfortable that I had hurt someone because I didn't agree with the suggestion. Oh well... what 'cha gonna do, huh?
If I said that I had figured out your little scheme when I posted my second set of comments, would you believe me?
And should I be mortally terrified that the man I married thought that the worst piece of fantasy fiction ever written was an exciting bloodfest of glee?
These are important questions to me. But not as important as the question of whether or not we REALLY want our friends to be BRUTALLY honest about what we contribute on our blogs. Honest, yes -- but brutally so? Maybe we should make a pact with eachother to be both honest AND not get all butt-hurt when one of us criticizes (constructively, of course) our work.
Erin's right. You ARE a goober, Tyson. A real dork. And that's my HONEST opinion.
And I refuse to read Eye of Argon as I am afraid that the toxic badness of it will burn my retinas and render me forever blind.
AND because your little experiment left me, like an alien abductee, feeling anal-probed.
My, my, Tyson, but you have stirred the pot, haven't you? B and I last night had about an hour long talk over just this subject.
Well, brutal honesty I could probably live without... thoughtful, conscientious feedback is different. If anything else, I at least want my "friends" to let me know they think I am about to make an ass out of myself. Granted, I may completely ignore their warnings and plunder head long into assdom... but at least they cared enough to say something.
Here's an honest opinion of something, Tyson. Your line on Erin's blog...
"Damn," thought Lazlo, "It looks as though I ought not count my baby cocks forward of that instant upon which said cocks burst forth into living."
...is just God damn brilliant.
Speaking of brilliance, I think Elaine may have afuture in the bumper-sticker business...
"I have gotten honest criticism from idiots. 'Twasn't helpful one bit."
is plainly awesome.
I went to your profile... found a second blog titled "Echoes," nice looking page by the way. But... um... nothing there. Are you planning to write something or just dazzle us with your amazing graphics?
I, too, have noticed the aforementioned "Echoes", and am awaiting anxiously your posts.
If you're taking requests for your new blog, I would appreciate some of your poetry, please. I HAVE been a fan of your poetry since I was 16 years old after all. :-)
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