I stopped by to tell you how I love your Deerskin icon. Robin McKinley has always been one of my favorites.
On topic: I sure wish I'd had this essay in hand a few months back. I almost lost one of my first LJ friends when she asked me to beta and I didn't follow your rule #1. Although I loved the premise, the story she gave me had so many technical problems that my concrit became practically a rewrite. This led to hurt feelings and an abandoned story.
Perhaps it is easier for some people to separate their personal identities and self-esteem from commentary on the stories they write. Perhaps it is easier for some people to restrain the desire to comment on every aspect of the story, and instead pick several main themes for concrit. I think success lies somewhere in between.
no subject
On topic: I sure wish I'd had this essay in hand a few months back. I almost lost one of my first LJ friends when she asked me to beta and I didn't follow your rule #1. Although I loved the premise, the story she gave me had so many technical problems that my concrit became practically a rewrite. This led to hurt feelings and an abandoned story.
Perhaps it is easier for some people to separate their personal identities and self-esteem from commentary on the stories they write. Perhaps it is easier for some people to restrain the desire to comment on every aspect of the story, and instead pick several main themes for concrit. I think success lies somewhere in between.