Just be aware of WHY you're doing it... you need to be able to bring something new to the table with your creative work.
I can agree with that, so I think it is safe for me to declare the argument officially over. As far as I am concerned anyway.
I also think that what you add to the table can be different too. I am big on psychology so while my plots/races may not be overly original, I think that my takes on it will be original enough for me to find an audience someday (in my dreams), though probably a younger audience than this one. Most of you seem to be big on original story and content which is good stuff too and another reason why I think having tons of authors and styles is a good thing. We are all bound to bring something different to the table and I have found things to enjoy about many of them. Its just the ones I feel took no thought to
any of this stuff that I tend to get irritated with. Those that are just coping for coping sake, like others have said.
I agree with what Necro is saying too, which is unfortunate side effect of critiquing I think. I try to be objective, but in the end, my style and my own research is all I really have to fall back on. We are all supposed to be learning together though, right? And all your stuff is awesome so don't let anyone tell you different.
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Hopefully at least some of that was on topic... but I may have to call 'can of worms' on my self if I keep going so I'll leave it at that.