I totally agree with your final statement. I used to be in a critique group, and SUBSTACK is certainly not one of those. People don't want to hurt peoples' feelings is what it all comes down to. It's too bad really. You don't get the feedback you need, or want.
I will admit that I have 'hate read' works that I thought would be good that disappointed. I suffered through them to the end to see if the story would get better, or not. Then I promised myself not to read anymore of their stories.
If you want some constructive criticism, here’s mine… constantly posting rants and then talking about how you hate-read makes your online vibe unpleasant and probably puts people off. If that’s your goal, fine, but constant negativity isn’t good for anyone, least of all the constantly negative person.
It’s a good thing you’re giving up hate-reading. I hope you really have a wonderful time reading authors you enjoy and getting rid of a negative habit!
I am pretty honest when it comes to these rants/essays. I share my experience, both positive and negative, with a hint of humour. Some share their sex-life experience on Substack. Some share their writing tips. I just talk about what I find important, mostly concerning my writing/reading experience. Have you read the book reviews I wrote? I have a couple. I do write positive stuff. People mostly choose to see the critical stuff. That is interesting.
If I were to hate this essay and write about it, would that be hate-writing about hate-writing? Or would it be hating hating writing about writing? Hating writing about hating writing?
Wait, I forgot reading - hate writing about writing about hate reading? Wait, did you hate read any writing about writing, and did they hate what THEY read, and did you hate that? Hate writing about writing about hate reading writing about writing they hated?
Fair enough, especially on that last part, might have to be tougher on my analysis essays. I've been a little tougher on Black Knight lately with his Lord of Bones. But as I always say I could be more critical as Criticism is love.
I really am curious if maybe you'll ever hate-read Olympnomachi or Brotherhood of the Gemstone lol.
I was looking at Crown of Blood on Amazon. Might order the physical version, because I like reading physical books more than digital. I want to figure out what else to order to save the shipping cost. I want something from another author, I just can’t decide.
My understanding of Substack was that it's a place to put polished writing out there, worthy of being paid for it via subscriptions. That's certainly fair game for criticism, but not everyone is looking for the kind of workshoppy critiquing that's reserved for work that isn't quite there yet. .
Here on Substack there's a huge range of perspectives and expectations about what the platform is supposed to be. Maybe if writers want specific kinds of feedback, they can let readers know that.
I sometimes stay with a story long after I should have given up because maybe, just maybe, there will be a surprising turn. Sadly this is not usually the case. And I too hate those predictable endings.... DB do you hear me?
If you're an avid reader, it's inevitable that you're going to hate-read at some point. The simple fact of the matter is we're going to come across work we dislike. Most of the time we'll probably put it down, but every now and then a story you don't enjoy will still manage to get its hooks in you.
I don't think hate-reading is a problem in and of itself. It's the reasons behind it that can make it an issue, same with hate-watching. For myself, my hate-reading has always come down to one of two things:
A) A desire to examine the story more closely in hopes of understanding the parts of it that do and don't work for me.
B) Simple morbid curiosity.
Unfortunately, the fact is that the main reason why I don't hate-read much is quite simply because most of the stories I find myself disliking I also find boring. They're not good enough to keep hold of my attention, and not bad enough to elicit my fascination. To me, there's no greater crime in the artistic world than being boring.
A friend of mine is hate-reading a moderately popular book from a decade ago and keeping us all in stitches over it. It's vague, it's wandering, the worldbuilding makes no sense, and the heroine has the personality of a wet mop. But this book was highly praised in my writing circles when it came out. I'm not sure why. Hate-reading can be very educational!
Katherine, Katherine, Katherine... I'm glad to hear you plan to give up this bad habit! I can't think of a less profitable waste of time. I guess I don't understand. If I don't like something, I simply don't finish reading it and go on to something more enjoyable. The one exception would be if someone had requested that I read something so they could get some feedback; then I would certainly finish it and then pass along constructive criticism.
As far as the Substacker who blocked you for reading but not commenting or liking posts goes? I do think that's kind of strange...
Maybe you can start up a chapter of Hate Readers Anonymous? Hey, if you quit hate reading, just think of all the time you'll suddenly have for LOVE reading? Or, or, or... writing, even! 😎
I totally agree with your final statement. I used to be in a critique group, and SUBSTACK is certainly not one of those. People don't want to hurt peoples' feelings is what it all comes down to. It's too bad really. You don't get the feedback you need, or want.
I will admit that I have 'hate read' works that I thought would be good that disappointed. I suffered through them to the end to see if the story would get better, or not. Then I promised myself not to read anymore of their stories.
If you want some constructive criticism, here’s mine… constantly posting rants and then talking about how you hate-read makes your online vibe unpleasant and probably puts people off. If that’s your goal, fine, but constant negativity isn’t good for anyone, least of all the constantly negative person.
It’s a good thing you’re giving up hate-reading. I hope you really have a wonderful time reading authors you enjoy and getting rid of a negative habit!
I am pretty honest when it comes to these rants/essays. I share my experience, both positive and negative, with a hint of humour. Some share their sex-life experience on Substack. Some share their writing tips. I just talk about what I find important, mostly concerning my writing/reading experience. Have you read the book reviews I wrote? I have a couple. I do write positive stuff. People mostly choose to see the critical stuff. That is interesting.
If I were to hate this essay and write about it, would that be hate-writing about hate-writing? Or would it be hating hating writing about writing? Hating writing about hating writing?
Wait, I forgot reading - hate writing about writing about hate reading? Wait, did you hate read any writing about writing, and did they hate what THEY read, and did you hate that? Hate writing about writing about hate reading writing about writing they hated?
😂 I like you, Derek!🤣
I once heard a physical science teacher assert that repulsion was a surer test of magnetism than attraction.
Interesting
Fair enough, especially on that last part, might have to be tougher on my analysis essays. I've been a little tougher on Black Knight lately with his Lord of Bones. But as I always say I could be more critical as Criticism is love.
I really am curious if maybe you'll ever hate-read Olympnomachi or Brotherhood of the Gemstone lol.
I was looking at Crown of Blood on Amazon. Might order the physical version, because I like reading physical books more than digital. I want to figure out what else to order to save the shipping cost. I want something from another author, I just can’t decide.
Hmmm, maybe @Joshua T Calkins-Treworgy’s Hunter and Prey I think it is? I’ve been itching to get that one myself. You could consider that one.
I’ll take a look. Thanks.☺️
Hey np, least I can do. I’ll also be sure to be balanced with your book. I won’t be picking it up until after Monday, after my book-club.
My understanding of Substack was that it's a place to put polished writing out there, worthy of being paid for it via subscriptions. That's certainly fair game for criticism, but not everyone is looking for the kind of workshoppy critiquing that's reserved for work that isn't quite there yet. .
Here on Substack there's a huge range of perspectives and expectations about what the platform is supposed to be. Maybe if writers want specific kinds of feedback, they can let readers know that.
I sometimes stay with a story long after I should have given up because maybe, just maybe, there will be a surprising turn. Sadly this is not usually the case. And I too hate those predictable endings.... DB do you hear me?
This was so much fun to read and totally relatable. Thanks for putting it out there.
I’m glad you had fun reading it. I had fun writing it.😅 Thank you!🩶
If you're an avid reader, it's inevitable that you're going to hate-read at some point. The simple fact of the matter is we're going to come across work we dislike. Most of the time we'll probably put it down, but every now and then a story you don't enjoy will still manage to get its hooks in you.
I don't think hate-reading is a problem in and of itself. It's the reasons behind it that can make it an issue, same with hate-watching. For myself, my hate-reading has always come down to one of two things:
A) A desire to examine the story more closely in hopes of understanding the parts of it that do and don't work for me.
B) Simple morbid curiosity.
Unfortunately, the fact is that the main reason why I don't hate-read much is quite simply because most of the stories I find myself disliking I also find boring. They're not good enough to keep hold of my attention, and not bad enough to elicit my fascination. To me, there's no greater crime in the artistic world than being boring.
A friend of mine is hate-reading a moderately popular book from a decade ago and keeping us all in stitches over it. It's vague, it's wandering, the worldbuilding makes no sense, and the heroine has the personality of a wet mop. But this book was highly praised in my writing circles when it came out. I'm not sure why. Hate-reading can be very educational!
Katherine, Katherine, Katherine... I'm glad to hear you plan to give up this bad habit! I can't think of a less profitable waste of time. I guess I don't understand. If I don't like something, I simply don't finish reading it and go on to something more enjoyable. The one exception would be if someone had requested that I read something so they could get some feedback; then I would certainly finish it and then pass along constructive criticism.
As far as the Substacker who blocked you for reading but not commenting or liking posts goes? I do think that's kind of strange...
Maybe you can start up a chapter of Hate Readers Anonymous? Hey, if you quit hate reading, just think of all the time you'll suddenly have for LOVE reading? Or, or, or... writing, even! 😎
"be careful! You never know when somebody might write you into a story!' -precisely:)
I often just don't write because of that. What if I'll harm them somehow, you know. It's completely illogical at times.