A tough gig

[Robert Stephenson]

When I have to offer criticism I find myself drawn between writer, agent and editor. My agent hat might tell me yes the book, or film met a need and was well delivered, me editor hat would tell me that areas of the work needed improving or further exploring, while the writer hat sees failures in style. For me it is trying to get some kind of balance between the three - not an easy task. I do have to say though, criticism means little if the work is successful. I had issues with Music of Razors and did get hounded when I verbally expressed my views, so I never wrote about it and won't comment. Sorry Cameron, those thoughts will remain my own. Regardless of what I though this book was successful, so I might say I would be wrong. Is it an art? Not really, but it is a tough gig.

[Talie Helene]

Hi Robert, Oscar Wilde argued that criticism is indeed an art (in 'The Critic As Artist' the essay that sparked the name I gave this section of the forum).

Freeform discussion like this is of course welcome -- although I'm hoping that we'll eventually accrue a nice discourse about contemporary reviews here -- with input from reviewers and reviewees -- with links to various reviews published online.

[Robert Stephenson]

Perhaps new techniques will be formed, and lively discussion on how a good critique needs to be structured - I could learn a thing or two from others, that's for sure. I have a bit of a policy I tend to use these days, simply because I can do without the backlash, if I don't like the book I don't review it. I have also found I am not the only one who does this - a bit sad really, don't you think?