07-27-2013, 05:18 AM
You're right bunx, bad crit is bad crit. Just because someone doesn't like something in your poem, they're not necessarily right. They might just be trolling, or having a bad day, or not reading it very well, or terminally stupid. Critics should at least try to be balanced... although sometimes it's very hard to find something positive to say about some poems 
. On the other hand, sometimes it's almost impossible to find something negative to say about some poems, though that's very much more unusual. In either case, evidence is the key.
Always look at the "credentials" of your critics. How much do they really know about poetry? What's their usual habit? Are they ever supportive, or are they just nasty bastards who love to tell people what to do (or not do)? Just like you wouldn't take fitness tips from John Goodman, don't take poetry tips from someone who writes badly enough to make your eyes bleed.
. On the other hand, sometimes it's almost impossible to find something negative to say about some poems, though that's very much more unusual. In either case, evidence is the key. Always look at the "credentials" of your critics. How much do they really know about poetry? What's their usual habit? Are they ever supportive, or are they just nasty bastards who love to tell people what to do (or not do)? Just like you wouldn't take fitness tips from John Goodman, don't take poetry tips from someone who writes badly enough to make your eyes bleed.
It could be worse