Need some advice

[serafina20]

So, last night at critique group, one of the women told me that my characters didn't have enough inner life and she'd like to see xyz and a bunch of other stuff. All fair criticisms.

But then, when giving feedback to another writer (who happens to be a published author with an editor working on her third book), the woman said, "That's what I was trying to get across to Sera, and you do it so, so well. Your characters always have just so much life to them."

And I felt that was... kind of uncalled for and hurtful. Especially since I'm not the only writer in the group struggling with this, and I don't think I should have been called out like this.

I was thinking of sending an e-mail to her that said:

I was felt really called out last night when you used my writing weaknesses to spotlight E's strength. It felt really uncalled for and hurtful. I'd appreciate it if, in the future, you just focus on the other's strengths without highlighting what I'm trying to work on.

So... is that okay, or should I just let it be?

Comments

[solo]

I think that's totally okay. Being told what the problems might be in your writing, cool. Being used as the 'bad' example to highlight someone else's brillians, not so much.

Sorry you had to go through that.

[serafina20]

Thanks for your support. I sent the email and she apologized. I feel a lot better. :)

[goss]

I think that's a very level-headed way to express your feelings on this matter. And might actually be very good advice for her to keep in mind for future interactions, if she is aiming for helping and improving others.

After all, there's a reason why good teachers try their best not to target or single out one student's mistakes as an example for others in the classroom. :b