Notes from an interview - 2
6.) What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The negative comments often come from people who just want to cut me down or make me feel bad, and very rarely does it actually have weight. Recently someone told me (in a surprisingly erudite manner) that I was foolish to leave Riot because he had seen my writing and it was nothing that any critic would enjoy. Fanboys would read it and nobody else.
I found this baseless for two reasons… One, because he was commenting on an episode of the Summoner Showcase which was a show I have owned, written and created for two years and he appeared to be a fan, and two because worrying about what critics think is fucking bullshit. People seem to dig it, and sometimes they reach out and tell me, and that’s worth it. That’s art, people. Make it because you want to, share it because you can, and if a handful of other people enjoy it then your work is successful. I’m lucky enough to have people reblog and read my stuff sometimes, and I’m lucky enough to have people ask me my opinions for their university classes, and I don’t care if I can’t pay my rent on this. I’ll do it anyway. That’s what passion is.
Give me a desert island, a good amount of food and perhaps some sunblock, and I’ll carve story ideas into every palm tree I pass.
As for the most complimentary thing, it’s usually small. My friend, a long time ago, the only person who seemed interested in reading my stuff, told me “Keep writing so I can keep reading it.”
I cried.
