Comments on: My Criticism of Literary, Artistic and Musical Criticism http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/ Thoughts and Fiction of Bobby Revell Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:27:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Revellian http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-/#comment-6258 Revellian Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:38:54 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6258 Hi Adam! I joined a website community called Urbis while back that is dedicated to the criticism of writing. The people there are often extremely rude and negative, out to prove why you should give up. After a few weeks of negativity, I quit using the site because it was killing my spirit. There is some garbage out there, but it's not my place to judge and degrade them...it makes me feel bad to do that. Hi Adam! I joined a website community called Urbis while back that is dedicated to the criticism of writing. The people there are often extremely rude and negative, out to prove why you should give up. After a few weeks of negativity, I quit using the site because it was killing my spirit. There is some garbage out there, but it’s not my place to judge and degrade them…it makes me feel bad to do that.

]]> By: Revellian http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-/#comment-6257 Revellian Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:33:36 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6257 I believe that it was my bad professors who actually helped me the most, because I naturally rebelled against what they told me. That's the reason my blog is named Revellian and not Revell. Revell is the name of a plastic model corporation. Revellian rhymes with rebellion - I like that...hahaha! We like what we like, and it is those differences that make life so wondrous and beautiful. Sometimes, a little positive support can transform an unsure writer into a great one. Self-confidence can work wonders on people. That's where a tempered ego can and must be implemented to keep us from becoming egotistical. Thanks Teeni :mrgreen: I believe that it was my bad professors who actually helped me the most, because I naturally rebelled against what they told me. That’s the reason my blog is named Revellian and not Revell. Revell is the name of a plastic model corporation. Revellian rhymes with rebellion – I like that…hahaha! We like what we like, and it is those differences that make life so wondrous and beautiful. Sometimes, a little positive support can transform an unsure writer into a great one. Self-confidence can work wonders on people. That’s where a tempered ego can and must be implemented to keep us from becoming egotistical. Thanks Teeni :mrgreen:

]]> By: Revellian http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-/#comment-6260 Revellian Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:22:47 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6260 Hello M, It is definitely an art in itself to get published without compromising the essence of your work. Then again, there are people who are just terrible writers; however, writing is different from something like singing. We see people who have terrible voices try out for a show like American Idol. Their families and friends tell them they are good, but they are not. A singing voice is something a person is born with. They can develop correct pitch, but still have bad tone. Writing is something anyone can develop and get good at. I don't believe so much in talent. I believe that talent is 10% natural ability and 90% developed skill :smile: Hello M, It is definitely an art in itself to get published without compromising the essence of your work. Then again, there are people who are just terrible writers; however, writing is different from something like singing. We see people who have terrible voices try out for a show like American Idol. Their families and friends tell them they are good, but they are not. A singing voice is something a person is born with. They can develop correct pitch, but still have bad tone. Writing is something anyone can develop and get good at. I don’t believe so much in talent. I believe that talent is 10% natural ability and 90% developed skill :smile:

]]> By: Revellian http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-/#comment-6263 Revellian Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:10:54 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6263 A very interesting comment Margo! Your dad's saying, "People make up their minds and THEN gather evidence to support their opinion, rather than taking the opposite, less biased approach," is brilliant. All of us do that. We may look at a blog and think, "This is useless drivel," or something, but we shouldn't think that at all. Maybe it is, but it is the ego saying that, not to mention that it's rude. I thought about religion too. A friend of mine recently became a hardcore, fundamentalist Christian. He had never read the bible before last month. He chose to believe something first, and then to learn what it was he chose to believe. He told me that I was going to hell after I die, unless I was saved by Jesus at his church (because other churches were blasphemous). I didn't know what to say :shock: A very interesting comment Margo! Your dad’s saying, “People make up their minds and THEN gather evidence to support their opinion, rather than taking the opposite, less biased approach,” is brilliant. All of us do that. We may look at a blog and think, “This is useless drivel,” or something, but we shouldn’t think that at all. Maybe it is, but it is the ego saying that, not to mention that it’s rude. I thought about religion too. A friend of mine recently became a hardcore, fundamentalist Christian. He had never read the bible before last month. He chose to believe something first, and then to learn what it was he chose to believe. He told me that I was going to hell after I die, unless I was saved by Jesus at his church (because other churches were blasphemous). I didn’t know what to say :shock:

]]> By: Revellian http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-/#comment-6262 Revellian Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:57:28 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6262 Hi Mike, while we can and should be influenced by others in any art, the most important idea is to create and be ourselves :smile: Hi Mike, while we can and should be influenced by others in any art, the most important idea is to create and be ourselves :smile:

]]> By: Adam_Y http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-6261 Adam_Y Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:44:18 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6261 I used to review comics for a magazine and I always put a positive spin on things. I mean there has to be some good in every artistic endeavor, right? The thing is, that one day you'll see something that makes you think, nah, that has NO merit whatsoever. It's usually something dumb and offensive, but it exists. As for taking criticism... I'd like to think that I didn't get defensive, but that's not how I am. I always like to confront my critics they often find it far easier to criticize from afar and when you get up close you can usually see it is their problem, not yours. <em>Adam_Y's last blog post..<a href='http://theflowfieldunity.com/2008/04/03/highly-recommended/' rel="nofollow">Highly Recommended</a></em> I used to review comics for a magazine and I always put a positive spin on things. I mean there has to be some good in every artistic endeavor, right?

The thing is, that one day you’ll see something that makes you think, nah, that has NO merit whatsoever. It’s usually something dumb and offensive, but it exists.

As for taking criticism… I’d like to think that I didn’t get defensive, but that’s not how I am. I always like to confront my critics they often find it far easier to criticize from afar and when you get up close you can usually see it is their problem, not yours.

Adam_Y’s last blog post..Highly Recommended

]]> By: teeni http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-6256 teeni Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:54:36 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6256 What wise and encouraging words. I too think that different types of art are all worthwhile and valuable. Still, I probably am only going to actually enjoy certain ones. Each of us is narrow minded in what we like. Also, I've worried a lot over the type of influence professors and teachers have over young artistic minds. I don't know if they realize how powerful they can be and it scares me sometimes that young people may just believe everything they are "taught," from a particular professor's political views to their own self-worth. You seemed to put it a lot better than I did. Oh, and I hope your book of horror will be available soon because I would love to get a copy. :) <em>teeni's last blog post..<a href='http://vtroom.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/the-entertainment-meme/' rel="nofollow">The Entertainment Meme</a></em> What wise and encouraging words. I too think that different types of art are all worthwhile and valuable. Still, I probably am only going to actually enjoy certain ones. Each of us is narrow minded in what we like. Also, I’ve worried a lot over the type of influence professors and teachers have over young artistic minds. I don’t know if they realize how powerful they can be and it scares me sometimes that young people may just believe everything they are “taught,” from a particular professor’s political views to their own self-worth. You seemed to put it a lot better than I did.

Oh, and I hope your book of horror will be available soon because I would love to get a copy. :)

teeni’s last blog post..The Entertainment Meme

]]> By: M. the writer http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-6252 M. the writer Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:34:11 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6252 I was just talking with a friend about how sometimes it's ok to be selfish with your writing - it doesn't have to get published. The joy is that it's YOUR expression. Anyway, thank you for a beautiful post, Revellian. I avoid criticism unless it's from a writer I really respect. But the peanut gallery critics are shallow at best, projecting at worst. What did it for me was when a professor who'd never been published kept trying to get me to change my voice and style, because I was "breaking rules". I just couldn't respect her opinion because she didn't have the intelligence or experience to get anything different from what she herself was limited by. The challenge - and joy - of being a writer is that you trust your own voice. I was just talking with a friend about how sometimes it’s ok to be selfish with your writing – it doesn’t have to get published. The joy is that it’s YOUR expression.

Anyway, thank you for a beautiful post, Revellian. I avoid criticism unless it’s from a writer I really respect. But the peanut gallery critics are shallow at best, projecting at worst. What did it for me was when a professor who’d never been published kept trying to get me to change my voice and style, because I was “breaking rules”. I just couldn’t respect her opinion because she didn’t have the intelligence or experience to get anything different from what she herself was limited by. The challenge – and joy – of being a writer is that you trust your own voice.

]]> By: margolawson http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-6254 margolawson Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:45:43 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6254 I am an opinionated cuss, and I could learn a lot from this more open approach to all art forms. Thanks for the food for thought! :smile: One more thing your post reminded me of, and I'd like to share it. My dad always says that people make up their minds and THEN gather evidence to support their opinion, rather than taking the opposite, less biased approach. The older I get, the more I see that this, sadly, is true. I am an opinionated cuss, and I could learn a lot from this more open approach to all art forms. Thanks for the food for thought! :smile:

One more thing your post reminded me of, and I’d like to share it. My dad always says that people make up their minds and THEN gather evidence to support their opinion, rather than taking the opposite, less biased approach. The older I get, the more I see that this, sadly, is true.

]]> By: John http://revellian.com/2008/04/03/my-criticism-of-literary-artistic-and-musical-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-6253 John Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:25:35 +0000 http://revellian.com/?p=661#comment-6253 I agree that criticize has run rampant. Most of the time the criticizer does it to make themselves seem more knowledgeable. Your comparison about someone learning how to play a song to a replica painting was clever. I agree that no credit should be lost by the songwriter just because someone can successfully imitate it. I agree that criticize has run rampant. Most of the time the criticizer does it to make themselves seem more knowledgeable. Your comparison about someone learning how to play a song to a replica painting was clever. I agree that no credit should be lost by the songwriter just because someone can successfully imitate it.

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