May you be encouraged to write and do as you do best…
-Ritz

Two things:

1. I am aware of my in-competencies. This is why I continue to learn and hopefully improve at the hands of others. For instance we have these publication syndicates at work where we review each others papers. I have had most of this work improved and published as a result. That’s not the issue. It’s the failure of people recognise potential and nurture it.

2. The issue as I see it is not related to competence but people who do not have the patience or ability to inform me or others on how to improve. It’s so easy to criticize, yet it’s not so easy to mentor is it? To put it in the words of my father: Any can be an asshole.

Thanks for the article, I passed it on for others to read.

Luke

“I still might have been upset by the comment from Bob (not his real name) but I doubt that I would have been provoked to write such a long reply. I am starting to think this whole blogging thing isn’t worth it. I mean seriously, comments like this make me wonder why I even bother. ”

I was really touched by this part of your comment. Please and in future, do not let people discourage you from doing anything you love…..Including Bob. Perhaps he needs to learn some manners. People like him are just plain rude and please delete his comment and continue to write (your passion). Perhaps Bob has no passion and his aim is to just look at blogs and make comments that are not constructive.

Take care and keep up the GREAT work.

Txx

Thanks for that I needed the boost.

Coming from a complete stranger who was very much inspired by this article, I am appalled at your post and how low your words are. That speaks a hell of a lot about YOU as a person and I, personally, wouldn’t want anything to do with someone like you.

It’s one thing to critique someone’s work, but it’s just plain WRONG to talk down on someone. Shame on you! Take a good look in the mirror before you choose to judge. That’s God job – not yours!

That’s good point. I am reminded of the critics of Raymond Feist. Sure, he gets hammered by critics… nevertheless his talent pays his bills.

Thanks Mary

Luke

Thanks for the comment. I don’t appreciate the “terrible writer” comment at all because you neither know the body of my work (academic papers) nor do you appreciate the relative satisfaction I get from writing. What have you read of mine that draws you to this conclusion… this blog post? I can’t afford an editor on my wage so I apologise (Australian English) to my readers for the poor grammar.

Here is a note to future comments. Please say them in a way in which they are constructive. Bob’s comment about me being a “terrible writer” is nasty and uncalled for. Here’s the right way to say what Bob said without resorting to being nasty:

“Dear Luke,

While I appreciate your ability to be able to record your thoughts you need to find someone (if you can) to help you with your grammar. It makes your blog hard to read and makes me think you are a terrible writer.

I hope this helps,

Bob”

I still might have been upset by the comment from Bob (not his real name) but I doubt that I would have been provoked to write such a long reply. I am starting to think this whole blogging thing isn’t worth it. I mean seriously, comments like this make me wonder why I even bother.

Anyway over to you Bob, I doubt you will reply… most flamers don’t have the courage to enter into meaningful debates or useful commentary anyway. Me personally I enjoy it… especially whens me grammer becomes cromulent and embiggens the heart of me readers.

Yours in love, respect, honour and mercy,

Luke Houghton

That’s a start. But if you want to be a writer and be both appreciated for that talent and paid well for it, you should start by hiring an editor and/or taking some courses in grammar and punctuation.

Hope this helps clarify things for you.

Bob