--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I suspect that most authors don't really…" description: "\"I suspect that most authors don't really want criticism, not even constructive criticism. They want straight-out, unabashed, unashamed, fulsome, inform..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/neil-gaiman-29_arriving_i-suspect-that-most-authors-don-t-really_341969.jpg" --- # I suspect that most authors don't really want criticism… ![“I suspect that most authors don't really want criticism, not even constructive criticism. They want straight-out, unabashed, unashamed, fulsome, informed, naked praise, arriving by the shipload every fifteen minutes or so.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/neil-gaiman-29_arriving_i-suspect-that-most-authors-don-t-really_341969.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/neil-gaiman-29_arriving_i-suspect-that-most-authors-don-t-really_341969.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf8/neil-gaiman-29_arriving_i-suspect-that-most-authors-don-t-really_341969.jpg) > “I suspect that most authors don't really want criticism, not even constructive criticism. They want straight-out, unabashed, unashamed, fulsome, informed, naked praise, arriving by the shipload every fifteen minutes or so.” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authors often crave praise over critique, preferring constant positive feedback rather than constructive criticism. **In simple terms:** Authors want praise more than criticism. Key Takeaway Seek balanced feedback. Themes creativity ego feedback validation writing Mood reflective critical Type advice observational When to use this quote - publishing - peer review - social media - writing workshops Key Concepts selfesteem public perception artist mindset Questions to Reflect On - How does praise affect your creative risk‑taking? - What would you change if you received honest critique? A Different Perspective Constant praise can hinder growth and blind spots. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Constructive criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constructive-criticism/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) ## Related quotes > [Nobody wants constructive criticism. It's all we can do to put up with constructive praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-de-vaux/nobody-wants-constructive-criticism-it-s-all-we-can-do-to-put-up-with/) Roland de Vaux > [Sometimes we have criticism that is very constructive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-martin/sometimes-we-have-criticism-that-is-very-constructive/) [Chris Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-martin/) > [Criticism can only become 'constructive' for those willing to examine it for potential opportunities to improve themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tj-taylor/criticism-can-only-become-constructive-for-those-willing-to-examine/) TJ Taylor > [You can learn a lot from criticism if you can take what's constructive out of it. If you read a review that starts with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-lively/you-can-learn-a-lot-from-criticism-if-you-can-take-what-s/) [Blake Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-lively/) > [I welcome comments. I think criticism can be very constructive and can help further. I mean, there's no perfect perfection anywhere. There's no perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-payette/i-welcome-comments-i-think-criticism-can-be-very-constructive-and-can/) [Julie Payette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-payette/) > [Unfortunately, I was like a lot of my own students, who don't really want criticism, just encouragement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigrid-nunez/unfortunately-i-was-like-a-lot-of-my-own-students-who-don-t-really/) [Sigrid Nunez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigrid-nunez/) > [In the Army, because the stakes are so high - right? - you can't just be a yes-man and say, 'Great idea, boss!' if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-r-mcmaster/in-the-army-because-the-stakes-are-so-high-right-you-can-t-just-be-a/) [H. R. McMaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-r-mcmaster/) > [I want no criticism of America at my table. The Americans criticize themselves more than enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-want-no-criticism-of-america-at-my-table-the-americans-criticize/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There is no such thing as constructive criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/there-is-no-such-thing-as-constructive-criticism/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [I'm willing to sit down with anybody and have constructive criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barkley/i-m-willing-to-sit-down-with-anybody-and-have-constructive-criticism/) [Charles Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-barkley/) > [I love constructive criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-mendes/i-love-constructive-criticism/) [Eva Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-mendes/) > [Any government that has a sincere desire for reform and progress should understand the benefit of objective and constructive criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamad-bin-isa-al-khalifa/any-government-that-has-a-sincere-desire-for-reform-and-progress/) [Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamad-bin-isa-al-khalifa/) > [A mood of constructive criticism being upon me, I propose forthwith that the method of choosing legislators now prevailing in the United States be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/a-mood-of-constructive-criticism-being-upon-me-i-propose-forthwith/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Why are you a cheerleader if you can't take constructive criticism?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-are-you-a-cheerleader-if-you-can-t-take-constructive-criticism/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To improve your skills, you need to be receptive to constructive criticism and open to feeling uncomfortable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-s-kaplan/to-improve-your-skills-you-need-to-be-receptive-to-constructive/) [Robert S. Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-s-kaplan/) ## More by Neil Gaiman > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Like all sentient beings, Fat Charlie had a weirdness quotient. For some days the needle had been over in the red, occasionally banging jerkily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/like-all-sentient-beings-fat-charlie-had-a-weirdness-quotient-for/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Shadow crawled across the floor to the yellow foam-rubber pad and climbed onto it, pulling the thin blanket over himself, and closed his eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/shadow-crawled-across-the-floor-to-the-yellow-foam-rubber-pad-and/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [ “\[T\]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every-time-another-little-human/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [So many things to see, people to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/so-many-things-to-see-people-to-do/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.’ – Ben Franklin,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/three-may-keep-a-secret-if-two-of-them-are-dead-ben-franklin/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You can tell the date of an old science fiction novel by every word on the page. Nothing dates harder and faster and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-can-tell-the-date-of-an-old-science-fiction-novel-by-every-word/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“The quickest way is sometimes the longest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/the-quickest-way-is-sometimes-the-longest/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“They were spells, spelled with words to make worlds, waiting for me, in the pages of books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/they-were-spells-spelled-with-words-to-make-worlds-waiting-for-me-in/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Finish what you're writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/finish-what-you-re-writing-whatever-you-have-to-do-to-finish-it/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [What do stars do? They shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-do-stars-do-they-shine/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“What," asked Mr Croup, "do you want?" "What," asked the Marquis de Carabas, a little more rhetorically, "does anyone want?" "Dead things," suggested Mr…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-asked-mr-croup-do-you-want-what-asked-the-marquis-de-carabas-a/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try and be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-get-on-with-your-own-life-lettie-gave-it-to-you-you-just-have-to/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Eyes will not see you. Minds will not hold you. Where you are is nothing and nobody”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/eyes-will-not-see-you-minds-will-not-hold-you-where-you-are-is/) [neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) [Explore all 2,526 Neil Gaiman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## More Arriving quotes > [Don´t be unnecessarily burdened by the past. Go on closing the chapters that you have read; there is no need to go back again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/don-t-be-unnecessarily-burdened-by-the-past-go-on-closing-the/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [With all due respect to UPS - it's a fine company - nobody cares about logistics. They care about that package arriving at their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-luntz/with-all-due-respect-to-ups-it-s-a-fine-company-nobody-cares-about/) [Frank Luntz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-luntz/) > [Please... tell me who you are and what you want. And if you think those are simple questions, keep in mind that most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/please-tell-me-who-you-are-and-what-you-want-and-if-you-think-those/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [We see men who have accumulated great fortunes, but we often recognize only their triumph, overlooking the temporary defeats which they had to surmount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/we-see-men-who-have-accumulated-great-fortunes-but-we-often-recognize/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror and each will smile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-walcott/the-time-will-come-when-with-elation-you-will-greet-yourself-arriving/) [Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-walcott/) > [He must have driven this way countless times, and yet he had no memory of the scenery. He must have been so caught up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-joyce/he-must-have-driven-this-way-countless-times-and-yet-he-had-no-memory/) [Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-joyce/) > [When people know the desired destination, they’re free to improvise, as needed, in arriving there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-heath/when-people-know-the-desired-destination-they-re-free-to-improvise-as/) [Chip Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-heath/) > [It's not a question of arriving and putting in a whole new administration, but instead, arriving and "compacting" things as much as possible, reducing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-slim/it-s-not-a-question-of-arriving-and-putting-in-a-whole-new/) [Carlos Slim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-slim/) > [Upon arriving, meeting their teachers and signing up for classes, these students began to realize that their attendance at Delaware State University was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-n-castle/upon-arriving-meeting-their-teachers-and-signing-up-for-classes-these/) [Michael N. Castle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-n-castle/) > [If you travel as much as I do - 165,000 miles last year - you exist nowhere. You're always between heaven and earth, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-houston/if-you-travel-as-much-as-i-do-165-000-miles-last-year-you-exist/) [Jean Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-houston/) > [It is the immigrant hordes who keep this country alive, the waves of them arriving year after year… Who believes in America more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-doctorow/it-is-the-immigrant-hordes-who-keep-this-country-alive-the-waves-of/) [E. L. Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-doctorow/) > [“I was so sure that I knew what they needed and what I wanted to sell them that I never stopped long enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murray/i-was-so-sure-that-i-knew-what-they-needed-and-what-i-wanted-to-sell/) [Chris Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murray/) > [You can be creative only when there is abandonment-which means, really, there is no sense of compulsion, no fear of not being, of not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/you-can-be-creative-only-when-there-is-abandonment-which-means-really/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There are days when I don't want to go to the gym or find myself not super motivated upon arriving. I would visualize myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-smith/there-are-days-when-i-don-t-want-to-go-to-the-gym-or-find-myself-not/) [Kim Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-smith/) > [I left Montana in Spring of 1866, for Utah, arriving at Salt Lake city during the summer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calamity-jane/i-left-montana-in-spring-of-1866-for-utah-arriving-at-salt-lake-city/) [Calamity Jane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calamity-jane/) Browse all 262 Arriving quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I suspect that most authors don't really want criticism, not even constructive criticism. 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