Competition in society is brutal, and I'm divided as to how I feel about it. I think it's most likely a natural thing with a species as dominant and numerous as we are, which doesn't make it any easier of course. And there's a lot of qualifications and conditions to add to this statement, but I do feel an outsider perspective can be really useful for my writing. And I think that a thoughtful, balanced, mindful, *helpful* edit (in and out of fandom) is almost an art.
However, having said that, I will also say that I had a few very bad experiences myself in fandom that involved edits and the like. Hopefully I learned a few things from the situations, including when to reject or disagree with criticism. I also think I had a couple of times where I offended others with my edits, which I deeply regret, but learned how to be more mindful of others.
However, as to being proud of work I've done? I think you're right, and I'm not sure how much of being unable to experience an uncomplicated, out-and-out pride in my work has to do with others, versus with myself being too self-critical (and/or how much those two things have influenced the other). Something to ponder!
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Date: 2014-06-26 04:05 pm (UTC)However, having said that, I will also say that I had a few very bad experiences myself in fandom that involved edits and the like. Hopefully I learned a few things from the situations, including when to reject or disagree with criticism. I also think I had a couple of times where I offended others with my edits, which I deeply regret, but learned how to be more mindful of others.
However, as to being proud of work I've done? I think you're right, and I'm not sure how much of being unable to experience an uncomplicated, out-and-out pride in my work has to do with others, versus with myself being too self-critical (and/or how much those two things have influenced the other). Something to ponder!