As an author, are you more or less critical of others

[Rob_Royale]

I'm more critical, privately, to myself. The more I write the more I read other stories critically. But I'm also sensitive as a writer to not wanting to insult or hurt other authors, so if I give comments I try to do so in a way that's constructive.

Yep. What he said. It's kind of weird how often your responses are exactly what I'd write, Simon.

One thing I do though is always check just how long the writer has been posting here. I wouldn't want to be overly critical to a new writer with two posted stories. And it's easier to gloss over newbie issues while reading, knowing that.

 

[Cagivagurl]

I ask this because the more, I write, the more I am critical of stories I read. I hate half-baked, inconsistent stories. Even with mainstream books. I tend to travel and the wife and I listen to audio books. I'll point out where the author screwed the pooch. "He never answered why that character did that!" I'll tell where the author abruptly ended without even a decent finish. ai'm not talking just crap authors, but like the recent 'collaborations I ' of James Patterson and his 'extra' authors. They develop his plot ideas Patterson gives them.
Here I look at how the story is told. I look at plot holes. Grammar and eloquent prose is way on the back burner. I look for readability of a story that is well told.

I don't believe I'm more critical, but when reading. Even stories that I adore, I think... I would have said that differently, or I rearrange some of what's written.As a musician I do the same thing when listening to songs. In my head I'm rearranging, adding instruments...
It's not criticism, but perhaps a critique, which I see as two different things...
Just my thoughts

Cagivagurl

 

[AlwaysDancing]

I think I’m less critical but I do have a pet peeve. When the author drops a blurb explaining the story, or making excuses for it.

Have confidence. Let your writing speak for itself. You got this.

 

[Cyberweasel89]

I'm moe opinionated of others. I can love stories and dislike stories written by others, but I always make sure the author knows I respect their freedom to write what they want, consider myself just along for the ride, and don't feel entitled to the author course-correcting due to my critique.

That said, if I have a question about something I didn't understand in the story, I find a lack of answer suspicious when it's clearly a question that can't be interpreted as rhetorical.

But me being a writer doesn't affect whether I'm more critical or less critical of other stories. Rather, it makes me share my opinion on the story more often due to my involvement with writing allowing me to share my thoughts on the story better and wanting to for the author because it's what I would want.

 

[Codoc24]

I'm probably less critical unless there is just a ton of typos or mistakes. I know it's hard to catch everything, and the longer the story, the harder it is. So I'm ok with a typo or mistake here and there, but if it looks like they didn't even proof it after writing it, then I'm pretty critical. I'm more lenient on sites like this. I know it can be hard to find a volunteer editor. The ones I talked to say they really get slammed with a lot of requests. Probably not many people will pay for an editor for a story that is posted on a free site.

 

[Trionyx]

As time goes on and I have less of it to look forward to, I find myself wanting to waste as little as possible. If a movie doesn’t grab me quickly, I quit it and move on to the next. Same thing with stories and books.

 

[davion2308]

I walk that line of both being more forgiving of writing, especially if there's an idea that the author put effort into it ... but I'm also more critical. I'm not a snob and I'm encouraging and I cheer writers on. This can be scary stuff, sharing our internal thoughts and work and effort. But, at the same time, I think, "Okay, here's where this can improve."

So ... yes, and no? Maybe?