I have received criticism, which I guess I would categorize as flames. A flame (also known as bashing) is hostile and insulting interaction between Internet users toward the author. I guess some people enjoy barbecuing.
One reviewer actually told me I should go back and watch the Scarecrow and Mrs. King episodes, because I obviously did not have a grasp on the characters. Yikes! That review stung. Come on really, is there a bigger SMK fan out there other than me? (Okay, maybe a few, but really)?
I am someone who believes we should never stop learning and growing, and I enjoy taking writing workshops and classes. I recently took an online writing class and my instructor told me I needed to work on showing not telling, which at the very beginning of the class I told her my goal was to learn how to be better at showing not telling. Geez!
This same instructor told me I needed to work on the ‘male voice’ because my characters did not ‘sound’ male. What does that mean? I live in a household full of males, the walls practically drip testosterone. Male voice, oh please. Yes, when reading a story I might say, no, I don’t see a certain character saying that or doing this, but I never would write a review saying you don’t have the ‘male voice’ down, unless I thought a character lost his masculinity.
I personally prefer SMK stories that are rich in characterization, have believable dialogue, beautifully written description, action tags, good drama, but not forgetting humor, and tells an interesting story. I hope I achieve those goals in my own writing.