Criticism - Guidelines

Hello all!! I know I have been away for a long time, but school took over my life. I am now finished, and come January will be teaching instead of taking classes (whew). Criticism, to me, is a very important part of the writing process: whether is is poetry, short essay/story, or a part of something larger...we all need to know if we are presenting our words in a way in which the reader comprehends our meaning. Granted, different readers will get different 'feelings' from the words, the deeper truth should shine through, and it is with criticism/workshopping that we are able to see if our goal has been/is being met.

Yes, my words are very personal to me, but if I am not presenting in a fashion that is clear enough for the majority of my peers to see the same final picture, then it is me and not the reader who needs to change (my own personal take on things here). As I start to post and read again, just remember that my skin in tough....I need to know what you see/feel when you read my words so I know if I am doing it the way I want it done....it doesn't mean it's wrong, only that I need to present it a little different...