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Advicenators discussion: The trend of asking our opinion on songs/poems Razhie wrote Thursday July 10 2008, 2:28 am: I’ve noticed more of these questions lately, and I’m sort of compelled to answer them.
I’ve been critiquing the writing of friends for years. A good number of those friends are professional writers who keep coming back to me, so I flatter myself that I have good insight and decent dramaturgical skills.
However, I haven’t responded to anything posted here yet. Everything I’ve seen here is what I would call ‘Journal Poetry’. It’s a statement about the writers state of mind and emotions, it tends to be ‘all tell and no show’, stating emotions instead of evoking them. Journal Poetry certainly has its place as a means of self expression, but that is where it ends. It’s not good, communicative art.
On one hand, I’d like to gently let a person know this. Yes, their piece of writing probably gave them a lot personally, but it is not particularly meaningful to others or as a piece of art, and explain to them why. However, I really don’t think these people are looking for a quick summary of what makes for effective word art. I think they are just looking for praise and approval for their journaling’s. I doubt they really want the fair criticism of their pieces as pieces of art.
So, I’m really stuck. Is this a case where I can share the knowledge and advice I have, or one where I am genuinely better off to stay silent and just let it be what it is? Cux wrote Sunday July 13 2008, 7:02 pm: Honestly, give your knowledge about it- they ask, and you are probably doing a favor by giving them a wake up call.
You don't have a tendency to be rude, so it shouldn't be hard for you to be insightful without being rude, you know?
In the long run, your honesty will probably help them more than a "I'm trying to be nice" comment.
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