There’s a difference between thoughtful criticism and idle shit talk, and this post here explains it very well. (Little Red pointed me to this)
Please read this from Iceburg Ink.
No one ever clicks on links, ever, so to quote this guy:
One instance I recall was last year when a co-worker talked about how much she loved the TWILIGHT books, and I told her how poorly written they were and how awful the stories were and how they portray the characters in a really bad light.
Her answer to me was “But it’s the only book series I’ve ever read with such a passion.”
I stepped back. Out of myself. And I had a good long look at what I was doing. I was telling this girl that her “joy” was no good. I was telling her that her judgment must be flawed in what she chose to entertain herself with.
Yes! That! Thanks for your article, Mr Iceburg Ink Guy.
When I meet someone with a different opinion on a book or whatever, I try to view it as an opportunity for mutual encouragement. “That’s great that you liked that book. What other books do you like? Do you know about this book that I like?” Probably the first book on both our lists weren’t great choices for the other of us, but we work around and find those satellite book suggestions that are winners.
It’s easy to shit talk stuff and make others feel bad (this is called “bullying”, by the way) in order to make ourselves feel righteous or smart or whatever. It’s way easy. And lazy.
Reading the Iceburg Ink post, I want to re-affirm that I don’t roll that way here on Darkcargo, which is probably why we don’t get a lot of hits.
My hugest peeve in the whole wide world is this silly pre-conceived assumption that women who read romances are dumb women. That is patently untrue and I hate seeing that idea out there in the ‘Webs.
I want to know why you like to read what you like to read.
What are you reading now?
