This is for contributors to the Block. When you post your stuff here, are you looking for constructive criticism? Just a forum to have your stuff read?

I voted for public criticism. I post my stuff so I can get feedback, and part of writing for an audience is getting an honest response, in public.

Oh, and the poll responses refer simply to your own work, It's not meant as a policy for the Block as a whole.

Yep, I agree. There's no point putting your stuff out there if you don't expect some type of reaction to it, whether it's a reaction you like or expect, or one you didn't really want to hear. Any reaction to your writing can teach you something about yourself as a writer.

Good poll, Matt.

Since the work I have posted just far is somewhat intentionally bad there is no need for criticism.

When and if I post real stories here I would be happy to get constructive criticism, I voted PM, but really PM or public doesn't matter to me.

Jacob, I have to say this, as a fan - 'somewhat intentionally' represents some very clunky use of the English language. I'll PM you with the rest of my critiqué.

That was somewhat intentional.

Are you somewhat pulling my leg? I'll have you know, that could be somewhat cheeky of you, Jacob! Somewhat cheeky, ergo forsooth somewhat! Verily!

If I post it, I fully expect it to be criticized. I have no problem with that criticism happening in full view of the same audience who just read the damned thing.

I somewhat have to disagree with you somewhat telling me that I was being somewhat cheeky for somewhat pulling your leg.

Yes. I welcome any comments on my work. Although they haven't gotten any to speak of! And I've been assuming that others who post here would welcome constructive criticism as well.

My name is Humpty, pronounced with a Umpty.

That being the case, perhaps you could answer the question of whether the chicken came before the egg?

Personally, I think the egg came first. Birds evolved from dinosaurs and they layed eggs, so it makes sense. Since you're an egg, Umpty, perhaps you could settle this important question?

Or, if not, perhaps you could sue the King's men for negligence. Lazy bastards.

Humpty agrees with your reasoning.

Is someone pulling someone's ass cheeks around here?

I've only contributed one thing (so far), but I prefaced it with a lot of "This was early writing, and reeeeeeally sucks", so I cut off the potential criticism at it's knees.

But, yeah, slam me. I'll probably agree with you, and if I don't, I'm not going to be an ass about it.

Depends on the piece. I’m never averse to honest and constructive commentary, though I’m not always necessarily posting material for that purpose. (The conversations, for instance.) When I’m seeking out detailed comments, I usually go private and make a specific request. I feel as if a one-on-one dialogue can be quite productive when it comes to identifying flaws in your work, more so than the kind of general comments usually made in a public forum.

(Additionally, because the stuff I most want and need commentary on is the stuff I hope to sell, it doesn’t tend to get posted. Publishers are increasingly considering even message board and blog postings as “previously published,” and will reject your work on that basis alone. Why would a magazine want your story if you’ve already posted it all over the ‘Net? So that stuff goes private, not for fear of what people will say, but because I’d like to actually get the material out the door and in print.)

I try to do the same (go private) when I’m offering someone detailed constructive criticism, because I’d not want to go into too much detail in public. To me, it would feel like piling-on and/or nitpicking if done in front of everyone. I wouldn’t want to make the other person uncomfortable with in-depth public comments on their work.

But none of this is to say that public critiques and comments are unwelcome. Far from it. Comments are always a good thing. There is a short list of skills any and all aspiring writers must learn as early as possible. The ability to take criticism is one of them. You’ve got to put your work in front of people, and you’ve got to be prepared for the inevitable reality of your work not being perfect.

Because it isn’t.

Stuff like the Conversations are not “serious” works in need of critiques, they’re goofy, fun exercises I did to entertain myself and others – but if someone wants to get in there and break down the work, that’s cool. I might see something in my work I hadn’t seen before. Learning how others see your work is always good, no matter the story behind said work. If someone wants to look at the unfinished serial and critique the work, awesome. Comment on the round robin? Cool. Input it always valuable. Always.

...

Hopefully, that was an appropriately Taftlike (read: long-winded) way of saying, “Yeah, critiques are always welcome.”

Here's some for Taft-whoo, that was long

By all means, tell me how wonderful I am!

By all means, tell me how crummy I am!

I vote on saying whatever you're comfortable with, and telling me in whatever way you are comfortable doing. Public is fine, e-mail is fine too. Criticizing can be as difficult for some people as posting a story.

John, you are wonderfully crummy.

I have been humbled as a man, and elevated as a writer.