Take it from someone who’s been there: avoid writer’s forums.

Unless you know exactly who you are as a writer. In that case, you still need to exercise due diligence when taking critiques from people. Most people, and again I speak from experience, have no idea what the hell they’re talking about. They either fill you up with cliched writing “rules” or they change your style to fit theirs, neither of which is going to help you.

There’s a third type too. The oh-so-clever type. From http://www.vampwriter.com/critique.htm:

Look over my website or look me up on Wiki. I have the chops.

Great big choppity-chops.

Twenty-five years of chops, editing New York Times bestselling writers.

Those are big damn chops.

Note how vague that is: New York Times bestselling writers. That could mean just about anything, from top to the bottom of the list. A good way to mislead new writers into thinking you’re an expert, in lieu of saying anything with substance.

Now, I didn’t use her service myself, and in her defense, the people who have used it swear by it. But…I have to say, the way you present yourself on this page — lines in lieu of paragraphs, pseudo-snark, your overall condescending attitude — makes me not want to take your advice “Vamp Writer”, even if it were offered freely.

But what does it matter? There are plenty of writers out there desperate enough to not only accept your horribly condescending attitude but warp their voices to fit what’s deemed acceptable by you and a group of relative strangers on an internet forum.

My advice? Trust in your own voice, and if you do take critiques, please keep the salt handy.