On a different note of amusement.
An acquaintance is super excited that I'm posting BookTubes again, because he feels this is an area where he can provide unsolicited feedback re: how I stage myself, mostly based on his love for a range of YT pundits.
I'm long past getting insulted by unsolicited advice, but it is amusing to hear his suggestions that I focus on performance gimmicks and his hints at makeup (absolutely not), when I'm plainly working on developing consistently thoughtful content.
Critics often go after the superficial, because their depth of thought is as shallow as their criticism.
Good helpful criticism takes effort and care. A thing in short supply.
Well said, Corlin.
In creative workshops, this happens often. A circle of untrained readers, asked to comment, will often point to anything that "sticks out" in a story, & pathologize its presence without reflecting on why it might stick out. Is it supposed to? To what end? Is there feedback that might better harmonize the writing around that end, instead of away from it?
"Workshop writing" describes fiction that's had all its distinction smoothed out.
Creators do this to their own!
I posted a fiction piece today, that I thought had some faults. Then as I reread it, found they were deliberate, and a part of the absurd premise of the story. Often a careful re-read is more important than finding that nail that your hammer is always looking for.
@corlin
I had put that piece aside for a later read, because I find that Justin Smith-Ruiu's fiction always requires a slightly more attentive eye. (Not something to be skimmed!) Glad to know that my gut instinct was right on the money for this one; I look forward to reading it with the care it deserves soon.