Criticism - however valid or intellectually engaging - tends to get in the way of a writer who has anything personal to say. A tightrope walker may require practice, but if he starts a theory of equilibrium he will lose grace (and probably fall off).

J.r.r. Tolkien
About This Quote

The definition of criticism is the act of thoroughly examining something, especially to find mistakes or problems. When you find your writing needs improvement, it’s important not to get distracted by other people’s criticisms. When a writer undertakes a task, it’s crucial to focus on his own work and not be sucked into the larger conversation that surrounds his writing.

Source: The Letters Of J.r.r. Tolkien

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