I’m mostly into fanfiction now but I got into critiquing back when while doing workshops with other writers who were either professionally published or trying to be. It doesn’t do any good to tell someone that something’s just wonderful if an editor is likely to spit on it and send them a fifth-generation xerox rejection slip. I’m a brutally thorough critiquer and I’ve offended a few people over the years who thought they’d be getting a pat on the head and chocolate. [shrug] Writing’s too important to me to feed people BS about it, and I agree with you that saying something’s great when it’s not isn’t the act of a good friend, or even a decent person.

Angie