Honest criticism or constant reassurance? Which one do you prefer?

1. 76

   Hauntyposted 14 years ago

   I find that most of the comments on hp are either thanking or reassuring the writer. I think hubbers believe it's worth more petting the writer on the back than telling him or her if something feels wrong. This way we might miss great opportunities to give our fellow hubber a chance to 1. see things for what they are, 2. improve his or her writing/mentality.
   
   Let's imagine hp vanishes from the face of the earth and you have to start a blog of your own without the support of this community. What would you take away from hp that you think might help you make a stand? How would you gain traffic?
   
   And please, don't tell me all the stuff about keywords and seo, because we all know that without quality of content that's worth nothing.

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   1. 68

      anjalichughposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I prefer a blend of both (criticism & appreciation). One without the other can play havoc with the writer's confidence by either shattering it or unnecessarily boosting it.

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         Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you. I was asking because I think the balance tips on the side of appreciation with the comments I get.

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   2. 0

      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well if it wasn't for hubpages I would have become a spammer!

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         Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Lucky you found hp. Most great bloggers were 'spammers' once. You gotta start somewhere.

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   3. 60

      Kebennett1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Personally, honest criticism is great for enhancing my writing skills. But, I would like a little reassurance thrown in on occasion so I am re-energized!

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         Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Spend more time in the social space to attract more readers. You have only 2 posts.

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2. 61

   Bredaviesposted 14 years ago

   Honest criticism is very important. I want my hubs to be good so I can start getting paid for it.

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3. 50

   badcompany99posted 14 years ago

   Doesn't bother me one way or the other as I will still write my way.

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4. 76

   Hauntyposted 14 years ago

   Bredavies - that what I think too
   
   BC - I know your style is superior, so there's no point in being flexible

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      badcompany99posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry what I meant to say is I appreciate a persons honest opinion on my writing but I ignore it, I will however let a critical comment stay !

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      1. 61

         Bredaviesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         
         Well a lot of the time you do have to go with your gut and how you feel about your work. If you let to many comments effect your writing..after awhile it wouldn't be your writing.

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            badcompany99posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Smart girl

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         2. 76

            Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Of course, being criticized doesn't mean you have to lose common sense. It's a good idea to have some inherent respect for other people's opinions, but there may be times when you simply know better.

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5. 63

   Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

   What I prefer in comments are comments related to the message/information in the Hub.  I don't mind if someone feels like being bothered pointing out a typo, but (arrogant as this will sound) I'm not interested in feedback on my writing style/ability.  It is what is.  Some of my stuff is better than other stuff.  I'm confident that I have solid writing skills, but if anyone writes enough they're going to have writing that isn't Earth-shatteringly great art.
   
   I appreciate a genuine compliment (rather than just a cursory, "nice Hub").  Once in a while someone's words make it clear they really mean what they say.  I think every writer appreciates that.
   
   I appreciate comments that offer additional information to what I've said and comments that offer a differing (but civil) opinion.  If someone is disappointed that they didn't get a certain piece of information they had hoped to I appreciate that kind of criticism.  I don't want criticism like this (which I got recently), "Well written, but you should have added charts for kids' chores."  First, such a critic can write his own version of the same article.  Second, I don't happen to believe in charts for kids' chores.  In a case like that, I write my article the way I see fit.  People can like it or lump it, or they can try to write their version of a better one - but I'm not interested in their ideas about how mine should have been written.  I know exactly what my weaknesses are when it comes to writing.  One is I don't tend to write for the Internet.  I write what I want to write.
   
   Writing my own blog, rather than on HubPages, would require putting in additional, non-writing, efforts; but for me the support of the community isn't a factor at all.  I enjoy the community and the shared interest in writing, but I separate the community from my own writing.  When it comes to my writing it's pretty much all between me and my writing.   

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6. 81

   SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

   Everyone has a completely different idea of what makes a good hub.  Some people say you must have at least five pictures for you hubs to do well, but some of my best performing hubs do not even have pictures.  Some people like certain topics more than others, so the definition what is a really high quality hub can vary from person to person.

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7. 76

   Hauntyposted 14 years ago

   Lisa - Thanks for your opinion. I'm really not used to bookmarking hubs, but sometimes I bookmark some of them because I have no time to read at that moment, but I don't want to miss them. I'm quite slow to return to the bookmarks though. So the other day I did, and I found that a significant portion of the hubs I bookmarked were yours. I found those hubs pretty good.
   
   SweetiePie - Well, yes. You are right, everyone is different. I like people's reflections because they show me another perspective. I realize how aspects of the topic I actually didn't think of. I like complete honesty. Of course they don't need to point out every spelling mistake, but if my hub is totally unoriginal / lacks focus / makes an interesting subject look awful or anything, I'll like the one person who tells me this the best.

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8. 81

   SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

   Once again Haunty someeone telling you a hub lacks focus could all be their opinion too.  Once I had written a personal essay about a problematic neighbor, and during our writer's workshop a fellow student recommended I change the focus.  I did what he suggested, and my professor ended up saying I should have stayed with the original.  After that I learned to follow my own intuition and to only take what others say with a grain of salt.  These are only hubs after all, and some will be more focused than others.  Some of the silly hubs that seem unfocused can do well with the search engines, so it all depends on the topic.

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   1. 76

      Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ok, I got that hammered into me now.

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      1. 81

         SweetiePieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Do what you like though.  As I said it is a personal choice.

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9. 60

   Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

   I like honest criticism.  I'm an honest person and I live in a bubble hoping others are as honest as me
   
   Reassurance is nice, but I don't go out looking for it.

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10. 63

    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    Haunty, thanks.  It's nice to know someone bookmarked Hubs, and nice of you to mention it. 
    
    You have quite a few good Hubs, yourself.   

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11. 63

    Lady_Eposted 14 years ago

    Half and Half, Haunty.

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12. 76

    Hauntyposted 14 years ago

    Jane - Same with me, as far as living in a bubble goes.
    
    Lisa - Thanks. Now you know why I am your fan.
    
    Lady_E - Half and Half? Of course. No why-question pops to mind right now. But I noticed this: when I go to your profile, I can select a random hub to read regardless of the title and it will turn out to be a very decent one. Every time. Why are you doing this? I don't think you'll get any criticism this way.

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13. 76

    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    I would rather have honest criticism of my writing than insincere reassurance

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    1. 76

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       well, I guess someone has to be at least as good as you to criticise you which leaves very little space for you for high expectations in this regard...

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14. 68

    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    Tell me Straight... Honest Critique is the best reassurance one can gain.  Critisise me.. You are only showing YOUR worthiness.

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    1. 76

       Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I agree

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    2. 60

       Jane@CMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Agree!  Good point.

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    3. 76

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       You are in a cool state right now. Or are you always like that?

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       1. 68

          Pearldiverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Oh thanks for that Haunty.... I think we all waste a lot of our lives filtering BS. In my way; I try not to add to the pile!
          
          My motto is: "I'll always tell you honestly and objectively. If I hurt your feelings; I'm sorry: But were you looking for someone to lie to you?"  In the same respect; I appreciate a reciprocol assessment.  But Hey; I'm a Kiwi.. I might be pulling your leg.

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          1. 76

             Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             lol thanks, now I don't know

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15. 76

    Hauntyposted 14 years ago

    I'll be straight. When I percieve that someone made his or her best effort, I'll appreciate that and won't tell him or her that it's crap (even if it is). I simply can't do it. I'd rather just leave without commenting.

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16. 79

    TamCorposted 14 years ago

    Honest criticism doesn't bother me in the least, but neither would constant reassurance, lol.  I don't mind if someone points out anything to me at all, if it's done in a tactful way.
    
    I'd like to know what some of you do in this situation:
    
    If you read a hub with numerous spelling errors, is it better to ignore them, or nicely point them out to the writer? If I said anything, it would only be to help, not to embarrass them, but would it seem that way to the writer? 
    
    I've wondered about this many times, but so far have done nothing about it, because I don't want to offend. Is there a private way of contacting them--or should I just mind my own business?

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    1. 76

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I would want to hear about my errors.

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       1. 83

          earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I send them a private email pointing out the typo if I know they are the sort of people who appreciate having it right.

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17. 83

    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    I will always be happy to receive constructive criticism. I do not enjoy people posting things like "Your writing sucks! on my hubs though. Not informative enough, just tell me what sucks and I am pretty happy to look at it.
    
    I would prefer those I consider good writers like Pam Grundy, Teresa McGurk, Maddie Ruud, Mark Knowles, Eric Gaudin, Jerilee Wei, Uninvited Writer, Misha, agvulpes, Ron Montgomery, Tom Rubenoff, Paraglider, Zutzy Bee, Lisa HW, Lita Sorenson, Mightymom, countrywoman, BlondePoet Chris A, Christoph, EagleKiwi, bgpappa, Irohner, Bard of Ely, frogdroppings, Ryan Hupfer, LondonGirl, Dame Scribe, lady E, Kathryn Vercillo to criticize, as they are all better writers than me.I have missed a lot of others who I consider to be very good writers, but don't want to make myself look too bad!
    Constructive criticism always hurts a bit... a good indication that change is needed! If it hurts a bit, I can bet my subconscious already knows that particular hub sucks!

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    1. 76

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'd be humbled if any of the above ever read my hubs. Well, actually there are some that do. And so I'm humbled.

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18. 83

    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    You are going great guns Haunty! You have made many good hubs in just four months, and your hubscore indicates a bright future here.

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    1. 76

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you.

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19. 67

    emievilposted 14 years ago

    Getting constant reassurance is great for my ego but I would really love to get honest criticism that are nicely-worded. Just this week, I had a reader from outside hubpages who pointed out to me some errors in my hubs. At first I was like thinking he just used his comments to promote their site / business but then I saw that, promoting his business aside, his comments made sense. So I edited my hub. If I could contact him again, I'll thank him for his comment.

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    1. 76

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       This is good. And don't look unfavourably on those promoting their sites. They have to do that. As long as it's not spam, it's ok, I think.

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20. 60

    karpouzianposted 14 years ago

    Honest/constructive criticism helps me to be a better writer, helps me to hone my skills, and helps me make more money by writing!
    
    Reassurance helps keep me going.
    
    Needless to say, I need the first, I want the second.

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21. 58

    cherrymeekinsposted 14 years ago

    Why not both? Honest criticism is a must have to succeed in anything. Someone lies to you it can throw you off because you will be thinking you are doing something right when you arent.  You may not ever know what mistakes you make, therefore hindering your success.
    But constant reassurance can be motivation if someone is telling you that you are doing good and can make it, and being honest. Thats motivation. To me you cant have one without the other. Both creates a positive balance in my opinion

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    1. 76

       Hauntyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       And on that note I leave the site and go to bed. My question is answered for good. Thank you.

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