Communication

---

I love the Faithwriter's site. I am so glad I was directed here. I feel mostly safe and secure here, and I have gotten some excellent advice from all over the site.

I would, however, like to point out that this is supposed to be a fair, caring community.

When a writer posts a piece to be critiqued, they are seeking helpful suggestions, fair criticism, and specific advice on where to make the piece better.

I received one critique that did just this. I knew what I wanted the piece to convey. My critiquer didn't get the message. So, I went back and took a long look at the piece and decided he was absolutely right. I need to do a revision. Just because I know what I meant isn't enough. If I want you to know it, I have to make sure I get my point across. I have to make sure you 'take home' the message. I failed to do this, and so my critiquer was absolutely right. I have work to do, and, if you are reading this, my critiquer, you know who you are, and thank you. You helped.

This is the stuff I need to hear. This is helpful. This is edifying.

I have received critiques, however, that just came across as mean,that left me feeling I will never be as good as they are, letting me know I am bad. My style is bad. I need to take some courses I'm so bad. I DO need to take courses, I think we all need to. I can't, and won't change my style. Right now, I don't want to be told I'm just not good enough. I want to be told how to get better, in a kind manner. I, and hopefully all of you, desire improvement, and I will continue to work on getting better at this craft.
Apparently, in this piece, I did get the point across, and thank you for letting me know that.

I have read so much beautiful writing here. The spelling was bad, the sentences weren't perfect, the writing was all over the place. Yet, I got the message, therefore, I saw the beauty in it. And a lot of it is just so good all the way around that I am awestruck!

There are some, including myself, who are new here, and just stepping out for the first time to show their work. This is hard for us in a lot of ways.

Help us. Don't scare us away with your harsh judgements of our writing style. Help us make it better. We're not here to get paid, we're here because we love God, and want to write for Him. That is our ultimate goal. We shouldn't desire to be clones of one another. That is what makes this site so unique. All the different ways of presenting the issues that are presented here. All the styles. All the voices.

Remember the CARING part of this site. Let's be sure that we are criticizing in the way we're supposed to be criticizing. In fairness. To help each other clarify, and sharpen, our words.

To get our messages across in a way that others can relate to. You can't make a writer write in a style you like. Everybody has their own style--that is what makes us writers. That is what makes us individuals.

Usually, I go back and read the writings of my reviewers and am overjoyed at the beauty I find there. All kinds of beauty, all written in different styles. I am also finding that you are saying the things I am trying to say, however successfully or unsuccessfully I may be saying it. I read all this, and this alone points out where I am failing. But my voice is just that-my voice. I have to say it my way, just as you must say it yours. If we all said it the same way, what would be the point? Some of you Faithwriters writers are what I aspire to be-you inspire me, you make me want to keep moving forward. And some of you are, like me, a bit raw but your messages are so important, that I just want to stand behind you and cheer you on. I can see what you can be. I don't want you to stop because you are intimidated.

Please don't attack me. Just point out what you think I can do to sharpen my message. Fairly. I am listening. I want to hear what you have to tell me. Just remember, I can never write like you. I must write like me. When the heading of my articles say 'Author requests critique', I mean it. I need it. I want all the pieces I post to be critiqued. Without being made to feel like I am a failure before I've barely gotten out of the gate yet.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE