I never really thought much about liking a person as a criteria for effective crit, but you're right -- here in the rarified microcosm of fandom, it really is essential.

I'm happy with the way of things. I'm happy that I like and am proud of what I write. I'm happy there's fic I think's worse than mine, because it makes me feel better about myself. I'm happy that the really bad fic provides hours of endless entertainment and kind of morbidly fascinates me, in a way.

I applaud your fearlessness in saying in public exactly what I have said in private to kindred souls.

That said, I'm a little bothered by the way you're framing yourself here.

You're funny and self-deprecating, which is wonderful, but I don't think you need to be -- or necessarily should be. There's no arrogance in anything you're saying. Time, effort, work, and our opinions are intrinsically valuable. There's no arrogance in expecting that to be mutually understood. That's just reasoned, adult behavior. And as for being too lazy and self-absorbed to waste your time reading purile shit? That's industrious self-awareness.

I guess I'm still hung up on that age-old 'smart women with opinions = arrogant bitches' dynamic. It's alive and well on LJ, but I don't have to like it.

So there. I'm con critting the way you crit yourself. Now... will you marry me?