Negative Criticism [Prose]

Magaly asks us for a short article, 369 or fewer words, on this subject for her Moonlight Musings: the Interactive Edition, #1 at Poets United. Here is mine (369 words without title):

Negative Criticism

(a) It has its place.  
(b) It comes in various kinds.

Professional

If someone says to me, ‘This line of your poem isn’t working,’ is that negative criticism? No, not to me. (It's useful feedback.) If I‘m told my writing is banal, mediocre, boring, yes that is – but might also be true. In which case I could choose to benefit from it and lift my game … oh all right, AFTER the first flash of indignation. [No-one ever has said that to my face; but now you know my worst fears for my work.]

Personal

Then there’s the kind which is meant to hurt or even destroy.

Some is ’heat of the moment’: outrageous insults soon regretted. These usually come from our nearest and dearest! They’re hard to overlook, but if we value the relationships we must try.

Then there’s gossip and slander, said behind your back. Usually it reaches your ears somehow. 

Responses

1. Dignified

As well as a poet, I’m a Reiki Master. You’d think a system of Divine Healing, channelled through highly trained individuals required to demonstrate the greatest integrity, would be free of back-stabbing and nastiness, but that’s not always so. People can persuade themselves of their own righteousness. 

I once got caught up in some local ‘Reiki wars’ even though I took no direct part in them. I was the subject of malicious rumours. (My Reiki wasn’t as good as X’s, my training was inferior, my ability questionable, my character suspect.)  

My professional history is on public record, but few people investigated it. Defending myself by counter-claims and accusations might keep matters in the forefront of people’s minds. What could I do? 

This – withdraw from the fray, say nothing no matter how provoked, and stay in my own integrity. (Over time, people can see who you are.)

That furore was long ago now, and those other Reiki Masters didn’t last in this area. There was no need for me to do anything but wait it out.

2. Annihilating

When I feel remarks are necessary, I like to keep them oblique, naming no names – yet wickedly pointed. In writing, of course.

I relish my favourite bumper sticker:

~ WRITERS have the last word ~