I created this thread, because something has been bugging me for a long time now. Here is my problem. It seems that when I analyze a story or a game and determine flaws in them, my opinion is brushed aside. Here is what I'm usually told or I've heard other people tell reviewers. "Stop nit-picking." "You are over-thinking it." "It's a story, and it's met to be enjoyed." "It doesn't have to make sense." "You just didn't get it." "It's a kid's show." "How can you not like it?" "You have not taste." "I've lost all respect because you don't like or hate it." "You have no sense of humor." I do agree that I do nit-pick, but I know it's nit-picking so it has little influence in how I like something. I do agree that I might over-think here or there, but it doesn't happen as often as some people think. It annoys people who can turn their brain off. I can sometimes turn my brain off, but if it doesn't make sense based on it's on logic, then I'm going to have a tough time accepting it. On to another subject. While I am a picky person, that's only because I don't like things I consider crap or things I consider overrated. I bring up that I'm a picky person, because sometimes it seems like I don't like anything. And it's not because I don't like anything, it's because I don't consider it good. Let me give you an example of what I think is overrated. I don't like Halo. And, no, it's not because I'm jumping on the bandwagon of hating it. The problem with it is that I don't care for anything of the characters. I understand why people like them, but I couldn't care less. The music is meh. It's not that it's bad, but it seems like it gets old quickly. I dislike backtracking as it doesn't seem fun to go back through the place I cam from. I don't care for the story. The weapons seem kind of bland to me. The only gun I really like is the Brute Shot. I like the plasma grenade, and I like the sword. On a side note, I like are the banshee and the ghost, and that's because you can shot out of them and cause they are cool looking. Overall, I don't like the Halo series because there is nothing special about it, and some of it's small functions like recharging health isn't that big of a deal.
hmm You seem very observant. Actually this is a trait not many people have you should feel lucky to have it. In fact I think you would make a good reviewer, the reason you get called "Nit-Picky" is probably because the people to talk to about the certain object of your attention is probably because they don't like to see it criticized, however what they don't see is that this criticism could do it a world of good! Don't feel bad, you have a special talent, You could do proof reading, reviewing, infact a whole lot of jobs in that line!
Pretty much sums it up. People tend to get extremely defensive about things they create, especially if its something they've worked hard on. Don't let it phase you, it's part of being an editor. And as 51m0nn said, your talent is something to be proud of, so don't let the pointless criticism get to you. The whole point of reviewing something is to find the flaws, and getting mad when someone points them out just makes the process pointless And I'd have to agree with you on the Halo thing, but I feel like that wasn't the point of the thread :derpe:
It's generally speaking pops up not when I'm helping edit something for someone, but usually when my opinion doesn't match up with someone else or everyone else. Funny thing is I like stuff that one might not consider good. For example, I like Jungle 2 Jungle, Independence Day; Mirror, Mirror, Obsession, Babe in Toyland (Or whatever it's called), and more.
I know how you feel. I always point out small flaws in fiction and i'm told that i'm nit picky and such. Especially when I complain about sci-fi or fantasy stuff. I get told "it's make believe it's not suppose to be realistic". Then they don't even listen to me when I try to explain what the problem is. To them I am just over analizing it and pointing out flaws that don't matter because the movie is set in space or whatever. I don't even care how unrealistic the movie, game, whatever is. they should at least follow their own rules. Like no one has space suits the entire movie yet the bad guy is killed when they shoot him out of an airlock and he suffocates. I can't just turn off my brain either. Those small flaws matter so much to the overall story. That's why I have so much respect for video games that can get you to turn your brain off and have some mindless fun! it's a hard thing to do to just get someone to sit back not care and just giggle while shooting someone and watching their head explode. We are opposite on that regard I am not picky at all I can still find enjoyment in things that are over-rated. Even some things that just suck but had potential I can find the enjoyment of what could of been, and so if I can enjoy even a small part of something I consider it good to me.
It'll be more than likely how you are presenting your critique. I can get very defensive of my own work and I believe rightfully so, if you've tried your best and the first things people notice/point out are the negatives it makes you feel like absolute trash. Like you've wasted your time. Try and butter people up first and then slip in critcism in a suggestive or gently opinionated format. A good example from a friend of mine on a short piece I wrote: He made an excellent point but he earned the right/respect to express it through his praise and evident analysis. That's my theory anyhow
That all makes perfect sense. Sure, I'm not fussed on Halo either but it's hard to argue with those that are fanatical about certain things seeing as they'll ignore all proven flaws with an IP that they love so much. Personally, I can only think of Halo as fun between a few mates while playing Zombie mode. I enjoy being chased on a Quad-bike by an armoured Speedy Gonzales with an energy sword. Otherwise, I'm a TF2 guy. So, Genesis; I'd try and work around that sort of fan. They don't seem to want to back down, even though it's your opinion. It's not nit-picking, it's honesty.
Like everyone else has said, just ignore them. Being able to analyse or "nit-pick" is a gift. You have a keen eye. Fanboys hate it because it goes against what they think. If you were nit-picking to prove their side, they would care at all. Your entitled to your own opinion so you more than welcome to keep it.
I think Grey Knightmare made an excellent point. Make sure you present your critique of whatever it is you're seeing in a positive way, even if what you're saying isn't positive by itself. Allow me to use MLP:FiM as an example. Good: "It's interesting how Twilight used that spell to give Rarity wings and then gave the rest of them all the ability to walk on clouds with a different spell. I wonder if it's because she just recently learned the spells, or maybe it's because she is still studying magic, so she isn't used to diagonsing the usefulness of each spell. Maybe we'll get to see her mature in that way later in the series. Wouldn't an episode about learning a secret spell be cool?" Not-So-Good: "Does anyone else notice that Twilight only gave Rarity wings? Come on, that's such an obvious plot-hole. Why didn't she just give them all the ability to walk on clouds in the first place?" What I mean is that you can give what might normally seem like an unnecessary critique a positive spin, many people you speak to will be more likely to respond by reaffirming your interest in the given subject. Also, I don't think you're going to get more positive responses out of people by claiming they "turn off their brains." Effectively telling people that they're ignoring evidence rather than accepting that there are things they can't explain at that moment is not the best way to phrase your complaint. Some of these people, who might initially be willing to hear you out, will be turned off by your phraseology and simply say "It's not supposed to make sense" or "Just enjoy the show" because they don't want an arguement, they want a conversation. The difference, to them at least, is that you're telling them what you thinkwhen you should be asking them what they think. The worst you can get out of a person when you ask them that question will probably just be "I don't think much of it." If that's the case, then just go to someone else for conversation. Of course, there are some people who really do just want oversimplified garbage thrown into their eyes and ears. If you know them well, you probably can predict how they'll respond when you try to make conversation about subtle plot twists and possible implications. Naturally, you should not simply dismiss these people as simple, but understand that they filter less of the content they consume, or that they filter it in different ways. What we may see as "garbage" they may call entertainment. Ultimately, there's no accounting for taste.
I wished there was more critique from my own fanbase. I love having people find the flaws so I can improve. Luckily no one has really attacked my writing openly. It does suck to receive criticism, but its presentation, as well as the author's understanding and acceptance, are crucial to its potential as a learning tool. I reveled in nicely worded critique back in the day. I can't wait to get more critique for when I repost my story with my current style and knowledge.
I made this same rant about art. When I ask people to destroy a drawing, pick it apart till it's nothing. All I get is, the eye is off center. WHAT?! That's all you came up with. I'd rather people be overly nit picky. -- Sent from my Palm Pre using Forums
I'm not saying, be like "that is the worst thing I ever read, change this and blah blah blah". If some picks it apart in a way like so "I think that such and such would act in a more blah blah blah." It's still be picked apart, it's helping the maker. I'd rather my art be torn apart then praised.
Yep. My style too. Plenty of evidence for it around here. Especially in the fact that I do feel really guilty being mean to a Fan Fiction when I still post on the same forum as the Author. It could get awkward.... And that really does suit that avatar of yours! It's uncanny.
I don't feel guilty or awkward, but a lot of times people thank me for critique. I try to stay as impartial as possible and give the best advice (worded carefully) as I can. For example, getting story submissions out of my preferences or understanding is a bit difficult to deal with. Human in Equestria, for example, I never read. I know some of the expectations involved and how/why they tend to be scorned or disliked. I try to avoid critiquing people beyond general expectations. Getting specific like "Mary Sues" and perfect characterization doesn't really help most authors unless they've already established a style and grasp of writing. My goal is Equestria Daily for my flagship story, and their standards are incredibly high these days. More so, I write Grimdark which is less liked in general and suffers from Fallout: Equestria setting the bar extremely high. As a result, I try to avoid using my knowledge of what people on EqD expect and my own stories (also to prevent bias and sounding arrogant in self-promotion) in my advice. I try to be as lenient to let authors try to bloom, as I have. I carry all of my original story pieces as a reminder of how far I've come.
