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of the premise itself.

An honest critique by a reputable critic is an analysis fairly written without predilection to the author as an individual person, negative comment upon the personal validity of the authorship, or expressions of prejudice on the subject matter.

Discovering a critical analysis subsequently aimed at a cherished written work may be a nuisance , painful, or even be deemed offensive and a personal attack by some writers, but is it? Upon occasion where a critic strikes a sensitive nerve or hot button issue , any inherent insecurity of the author may be pinpointed and magnified, perhaps negatively. That unfortunate occurrence may incorrectly, but easily modify the writer's perception of what has actually been said by the critic.

Being criticized personally is rightfully a sensitive issue. It should not, however, be confused with the quintessential process of being read and critiqued. A critique may appear to be a personal attack, a vindictive statement, a misunderstanding of the written word, or a misguided, inappropriate and incorrect summary of a writer's personal thoughts, but those deductions may also be a slight of the sensitive imagination.

In evaluating a critic, two questions the writer may properly raise are:

a) "Do the critic's written critiques generally address the fundamental premise, style, slant, grammar, spelling, word usage or other detail included in the work ?"

b) "Is the critic's review slanted personally toward the article itself, or does the critique specifically target the individual that also happens to be the composer of an article?"
There is a substantial difference between a personal comment and a critique.
A genuine critique is not a personal attack, and in reality, the two must be differentiated and separated.

In a critique, the perception of an ongoing invasion of privacy of the darkest , perhaps most secret or unstable corners of a writer's mind may occur. Pride in authorship, pride in accomplishment, vulnerability and vanity may all be involved. How does an author avoid being incensed by a critique?

It may be useful to remember a critique may be a completely impersonal observation, never intended to be personal criticism or a personal attack of any kind. To over-react to a critique can be emotionally damaging. Why is the critic bothering to comment on your work at all? Is there a valid reason?
Although difficult, it then becomes essential to disengage both one's self and personalities in the art of fielding the critique.

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