Succesful Writers Share the Overly Critical Things Their Moms Say About Their Works
Successful Writers Share The Overly Critical Things Their Moms Say About Their Work
By Mustafa GatollariUpdated Nov. 18 2019, 2:25 p.m. ET
Having parents who put pressure on you can be a double-edged sword. For one, it's great because if they're pressuring you to do great things and achieve something awesome in life so you can be happy with yourself, well, that's some awesome child-rearing skills right there.
But then there are times you just want your parents to be proud of you and your accomplishments, and having an overly critical mom can detract from that whole "supportive parent" thing we all desire, whether we know it or not.
Balancing between constructive criticism and being overly tough is a delicate task, something that writer and comedian Jon Savitt pointed out when he shared a text from his mother after he sent her something he had written.
most moms: this is great, good job!
my mom: pic.twitter.com/TnHrnXzKda
And as it turns out, a bunch of people could relate to Savitt's screencapped text.
Most moms: what a cool interview with that senator!
My mom: you had a single hair out of place on the back of your head.
I asked for feedback/testimonials for a resource I've written for transplant patients - low on replies I've posted my Mom's feedback. (She didn't tell me where they were.) pic.twitter.com/tBlcemQVD3
— Beth Campbell Duke 🇨🇦 (@BCampbellDuke) April 24, 2018MY MOM, TOO.
— Alexis Benveniste (@apbenven) April 23, 2018Some told Savitt he should treasure his mother's helpful suggestions, as she's only helping out his career in comedy.
A good mom cheers you on, a better mom provides you with material.
— Banjo Pope ✘ (@BanjoPope) April 23, 2018While other writers pointed out that it's not just moms who get overly critical.
I wish my editors were as good as spotting typos in my work as my sister is once it's been published.
— Jacqueline DeMarco (@FromJacqueline) April 24, 2018Oh that’s the truth. Mine will call and say “Oh that was so great! One thing in the second paragraph....”
— Leslie Streeter (@LeslieStreeter) April 24, 2018Savitt shouldn't feel too bad, however. Novelist Celeste Ng's mother is equally not as outwardly expressive when it comes to supporting her daughter's writing career.
No one like a mom to keep your ego in check. pic.twitter.com/AhIcsOoclD
— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) January 18, 2018She chalked it up to "being an Asian mom thing."
Asian moms gonna Asian mom
— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) January 18, 2018As did other people.
this is the most asian parent thing i have ever seen
— Rumaan Alam (@Rumaan) January 18, 2018Apparently, Ng's mom, along with others, send one star reviews of their books for their kids to read.
There was also the time she translated some of my Chinese one-star reviews for me (unsolicited)
— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) January 18, 2018A constant reminder to their children that there are people out there who are saying critical things about their writing, as if their criticisms aren't enough.
my mom has sent me one star reviews and been like “these people didnt like your book”
— jomny sun (@jonnysun) January 20, 2018"people are saying this about you on twitter"
— jomny sun (@jonnysun) January 20, 2018Some moms go out of their way to critique the writing of kids they don't even know.
My mom, Mother’s Day last year. If her kids won’t give her material, she will get it from someone else’s. pic.twitter.com/G3Iq6H28xu
— Shilo? (@LikeANightlight) April 24, 2018In Savitt's defense, however, he did have a legitimate distraction that may have caused the little typo.
was too distracted by my writing partner (I was home this weekend) pic.twitter.com/bitSgb8gOY
— Jon Savitt (@savittj) April 24, 2018And in case you're wondering, his mom did ultimately find out he put her on blast online.
update: she was not happy with this.
— Jon Savitt (@savittj) April 24, 2018Maybe she'll temper any typo-finds with a compliment or two?
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