I *do* sometimes get offended by this kind of FB, though I certainly don't always. It all comes down to what you said:
what point is the feedbacker really trying to make? Do they mean their remarks to be in any way insulting or belittling of my tastes or my abilities as a writer?
If somebody says simply, "I don't usually read subgenre x, but I read this and I loved it," then I am well-content and happy. If, OTOH, somebody sends a feedback letter that spends three paragraphs talking about why subgenre x/your central character/your pairing of choice/etc. sucks and is ridiculous, then tosses in a line about the story, you have to wonder why this person sent the e-mail.
I have, in the past, received feedback that said, "Couple X makes me want to vomit, but I could get through this." That's verbatim, except for the actual names of the couple. Feedback like that I can live without, and I don't know what person on earth would think this is a good comment to send to anybody.
It's all a matter of tone and of the writer's intent. I'm sure that it is possible to be too sensitive to this stuff -- I know that at times I have been -- but I have definitely been on the receiving end of "feedback" that was just character or show-bashing in thin disguise. IMHO, the difference is usually clear.
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Date: 2004-10-28 07:32 am (UTC)what point is the feedbacker really trying to make? Do they mean their remarks to be in any way insulting or belittling of my tastes or my abilities as a writer?
If somebody says simply, "I don't usually read subgenre x, but I read this and I loved it," then I am well-content and happy. If, OTOH, somebody sends a feedback letter that spends three paragraphs talking about why subgenre x/your central character/your pairing of choice/etc. sucks and is ridiculous, then tosses in a line about the story, you have to wonder why this person sent the e-mail.
I have, in the past, received feedback that said, "Couple X makes me want to vomit, but I could get through this." That's verbatim, except for the actual names of the couple. Feedback like that I can live without, and I don't know what person on earth would think this is a good comment to send to anybody.
It's all a matter of tone and of the writer's intent. I'm sure that it is possible to be too sensitive to this stuff -- I know that at times I have been -- but I have definitely been on the receiving end of "feedback" that was just character or show-bashing in thin disguise. IMHO, the difference is usually clear.