Comment from DonandVicki

Excellent

Amen, I have always thought if you do not have constructive criticism or do not like someone's work then do not review. I have had to bloc several people because they were so obnoxious.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you for your kind words.

Comment from William Ross

Excellent

Yeah, very good, great entry on the prompt. good thought, sometimes both i guess, good luck on this and have a wonderful day.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you

Comment from TPAC

Excellent

Very crafty write. Writer wit is exposed in this work, I found its appeal tinkling in manners: a delightful descriptive read.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you for your kind words.

Comment from Eric1

Excellent

Hi Mystery author, this is a really good entry for this particular competition. these are words that every writer on here knows about, I find them inspirational! I wish you the very best of luck in the contest my friend.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you

Comment from prettybluebirds

Exceptional

Exceptional. Great job, Angie. I love your flower picture you put with the poem. I wish you luck in the contest. It's good to see you writing again. I saw some of the photos you put on facebook. Looks like you had a good time on your trip.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you Auntie. I wrote this one in response to a very rude review on "Beautiful Blend of Languages" The person pretty much told me to quit writing and leave the site. As you can see, I'm giving him the raspberry.

We had a great time. I'd do it again tomorrow if we could afford it. No cooking, cleaning, laundry for a week. LOVED it.

reply by prettybluebirds on 27-Feb-2016

Next time maybe you can smuggle me along. I have had some really nasty remarks from reviewers too. I make them feel like an ass by giving them a reviewing vote and a very sarcastic thank you.

Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Read through this 5-7-5. They layout was solid, did a great job flashing a specific image/ theme/ concept into mind. I loved the line: Withstanding author... as the answer to the question, if a review is helpful or hurtful. It does kind of depend on the author.
The first line is in the eye of the beholder, who defines critical review in their perception... which is textbook defined in a benign way as summarizing and evaluating a given text, an added extension of that comes in good and bad. in effect, analyzing qualities and devices for effectiveness including when something isn't working. But some might define a critical review as anything that mentions negative feedback, which isn't really a critical review, so much as a negative review.

I try to give critical reviews, as defined as analyzing what is working and what devices might be missing or in need of work, but never with the intent to wound or dash, so much as to stimulate towards growth, or offer insight from a different perspective. Yet, no matter how it is given, ... Author withstanding, I might find someone surprisingly floored.

There lies the mismatch of expectations. Critical reviews are encouraged by the site guidelines, but does the community have the withstanding for getting critical reviews at this site? I don't know, really. That would be my only worry, with this piece... the continued confusion between critical reviews, or negative ones. And if any critical review is prone to dash a writer, then how to proceed.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you for your honesty and insightful review, TurtleStage5. I wrote this in response to a brutal criticism I received to another piece of work. That person pretty much told me I shouldn't write at all and leave it to the professionals. Not what I thought this site was about. Resolutely, I keep on writing in hopes of improving each time.

reply by --Turtle. on 27-Feb-2016

See, that's where I think the term critical review gets a bad name, when the review isn't critical but something else entirely; that kind of reviewing isn't constructive or critical, it's just interjection of ... I don't know (people running with scissors?). A true critical review should dissect text without assessing future inspirations. What worked, what didn't; the brutality of insult... I don't think that's what this site is about. If anything, this site leans to the other extreme, empty praise. I have no qualms against praise and encouragement, we all need it and positive guidance can go a long way, every review should have a measure of praise too, but many times, I see reviews on works that could use a helping hand and all there is, is many empty, good job writing words...pats on heads; which won't give a writer any insight on what they even did right, let alone where they might focus some energy to strengthen and build on what they have.

My most treasured reviews have involved some solid critique, painful in some ways, but growing pains feel good when you see that someone saw something in your work worth the energy to sit you down and say, look, this is what I see, this is what is I thought was great, and this here... this ain't so great to me because ...

Those reviews just cutting a writer down, : ( Bla. I would deem it suspect that a reviewer like that here can even string sentences together themselves. Because those who seem to have a good grasp on writing, I haven't run across those typically being the ones running with scissors.

Comment from Dorothy Farrell

Excellent

Well written 5/7/5 on a subject relevant to Fanstory members. Hurtful or helpful? A good piece and well worded. Love the picture. Good luck in the contest - warm regards Dorothy

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you Dorothy.

Comment from foxangie123

Excellent

Well you have quite the subject here. Is someone nice or honest. Is it not honesty that is nice even if there is room for improvement? Nice topic and picture. Everybody's answer will be the key. Great stuff here.

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you Angie. The person of question was just plain brutal and pretty much told me to go elsewhere.

Comment from Chris Walker

Excellent

Clever! Great use molding your point in the structured form of Haiku. Critique does not mean negative criticism, rather the purpose is for positive construction. Good luck in the contest this is well written!

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you Chris.

Comment from giraffmang

Excellent

hi there,

Well this fits the competition constraints with no bother at all. All syllables present and accounted for. I guess it depends on whether the review was critical or an actually critique - quite different. perspective is a strange thing! lol

Nicely written entry, good luck.
GMG

 Comment Written 27-Feb-2016

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reply by the author on 27-Feb-2016

Thank you GMG. It was harshly critical. This was my response in hopes that person reads it.