A lot of authors ask for it, myself included, but are they really ready for the truth, which may be harsh?

When you read a story that is not very well written, would you actually sit down and write a detailed piece of Con Crit that explained the mistakes the author made or would you be frantically pressing the back button?

Is it sometimes easier to do just leave the story and forget about it?

Also, if you're reading a story that you really like but you notice a few errors in it, would you point them out?

Is constructive criticism just about grammr, language etc or does it also include your personal opinion and reaction to the piece of fiction as a reader?

Do you have your own definition of constructive criticism?

So many questions, and I am very, very tired... so let me know what you think!

Yes, actually. The job of of good, loyal reader is to always be able to point out the writer's mistakes without sounding too harsh or negitive. Be suppportive but also prove your point.

Is constructive criticism just about grammar, language, etc., or does it also include your personal opinion and reaction to the piece of fiction as a reader?

It's more than just grammar. Letting the author know what he needs to fix is just part of it. If it IS a bad story, you need to point out the errors in not only typing, but also be "scholarly" and show them what needs fixing in terms of plot, Characters, and the overall feel of the story. Like you said, it includes your opinion and reaction.

if i like a story i more often than not wont point out spelling mistakes. i myself re read my own work sometimes even months after i've submitted it so i catch mistakes like that. plus i'm sure the authour will catch their own mistakes.

i think constructive critism is about grammar and plot etc etc. because yes, grammar is important but plot holes are a major thing and should be brought to the authour's attention. a good place to get constructive crits is writersdigest.com's forum. they tore one of my pieces apart ^^' so i have yet to go back and put myself through that experience again. but i think con crit is a good way to improve yourself :D

I don’t point out mistakes unless they’re big. I don’t want to be one of those vicious people who make a big deal out of a few errors. What if the author is a non-English person, a bad typer, an insomniac, or something? A lot of stupid little things can go wrong for a good author. So I only point out the frequent flaws in the author’s writing.

I would not read a story that is not very well written, unless what they were trying to convey is really good. Then, perhaps I'll tell them how to improve on it.

I do make detailed reviews. We're human. How can we not put in personal opinions and reactions? If not if could get an educated robot and do objective filtering for those.

*feels stalkerish*

Anyhow; I usually leave reviews when I read something. Not poems though, because I just don't understand those.

And I give them how I want them; harsh but true, and pointing out the flaws that needs to bettered while telling the author what the good points were. I often give suggestions so they understand what on earth I am rambling about.

Sometimes I can't really think up what is bad, so I just make a short ramble on how well done I thought it was...

I 99 percent (just in case symbol doesn't work) make a review after I read all of it. If not, it means I gave up on it, and you know why. I'm a sort-a perfectionist. Can always see what's bad. It's harder to see what's good, because that's rare. I might not tell you it's bad - 1. hard to explain 2. hard to accept 3. *Boo Concerto needs a rest* 4. Someone said I didn't point too many things out, so 5. I started reviewing more and more detail-ly now even though it might be bad 6. I usually don't want to make points on poems but I shall now

And oh yes Fractured, it sounds just more like I beat you to it.

But I, when I see a place where the story goes boring, feel more inclined to read onwards then, just so I can leave a review for the author and tell him/her this. I myself suck at writing, so naturally I emphasize with others who struggle as well.

And yes! Go review them poems! I have hardly seen any good poem-reviews out there :/

I've already done a couple. Maybe not good (my standards are high), but better than nothing. If you force me to do one, I'll do it properly.

I have too many ideas to write. I also have other things to do. My degree ain't on writing unfortunately. I want to be full-time. That's a dream. Still remembers teacher didn't let me do writing course before because I couldn't think of a story idea during the exam and nearly failed for creative writing. Teacher said ooh, other people all do a lot better than you so you shouldn't do it. Felt like slapping them.

Yes please! :P Please give me link to the poem you reviewed. I just really want to se some in-depth poem reviewing.

For being a full time writer, I think you need to be a bit of a sell out, following the public's demands (unless you are fortunate enough to fill in hte gap of a neglected public demand that was not discovered before...) Seems like a tough career choice. I personally just write for fun. I am no where near getting published.

And teachers saying you should quit because you can't come up with something good within a time limit is ridiculous...!

Well I don't exactly want to be a full time writer. What I really wanted to do was just for everyone to experience what I have installed and to feel what I've felt. It's big too. It doesn't mean I have to be famous, rich, or anything else. That's maybe why I'm here.

It all started because of someone and something, and that was silly, but it's not anymore. Yes, I do look far, if it's because it'll be difficult that I shouldn't do, then no one will do anything. Can't say I'll stop just because it's hard.

I do write for fun of course, career or not. Like I said, it's not my degree. My current career, what I study and all is *totally unrelated* quoting a friend.

Though, it didn't matter about the course, because I don't think creativity should and can be marked anyway. 1 mark for this technique and all. You just can't. It's all subjective anyway. Even me saying I'm not biased won't be absolute.

Taking writing courses seems interesting though. I have never done it. Do you learn a lot from it?

I just see/read/everything too much. I don't just watch/read either. I learnt from it and remember it. Full of experiences for this young age.

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