You can certainly criticize another novel in a constructive way--I see no issue with that. That's what philosophers do. They don't "bash" each other or tear each other down negatively. They debate. I think what Dennard was really trying to say is: think twice before saying something.
Except Dennard is very clearly saying that even the most polite and constructive criticism should be considered verboten to any aspiring author because some other author might get her feelings hurt and then you will be forever excluded from sitting at the Big Kids Table. I've got no respect for that sort of suck-up I'll-do-anything-to-get-published attitude.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-02-05 06:27 pm (UTC)Except Dennard is very clearly saying that even the most polite and constructive criticism should be considered verboten to any aspiring author because some other author might get her feelings hurt and then you will be forever excluded from sitting at the Big Kids Table. I've got no respect for that sort of suck-up I'll-do-anything-to-get-published attitude.