What makes it harder is that there are three categories: beginner, intermediate, and why the heck wasn't I that good in high school? You can't judge them by the same standards; it would be like failing a fourth grader because he couldn't do advanced trigonometry, which is maybe a bad example because I never could do advanced trigonometry. I don't even know what it is. I'm still trying to figure out what x equals.
My problem is that I tend to go too easy, out of empathy for how I might have reacted to a harsh comment at that age. (Hint: I had very low self esteem.) But in trying to balance that, I worry about being too hard on the writers. They need to know if they have weak areas to be worked on, but they don't need me turning into that jerk chef on those cooking shows. So I try to be--I don't know--gentle, but guiding. All this stressing myself out is also why I struggle to do book reviews.
In any case, I've never seen a single 4H entry that didn't show potential for great works to come. That's exactly the kind of thing the world needs: imagination, industry, interest, and literacy. Which comes awfully close to the 4H motto of head, hands, heart, and health.
Well, it's an organization that among other things builds character, so you're less likely to see awful kids.
ReplyDeleteTrue enough. Too bad I was never in 4H -- maybe I'd have developed some character, instead of being one.
DeletePlus, most of them will have farming in their background. That is a profession that too many think only the simple or less educated would do. Hah! Farmers are different, but that doesn't mean they let their minds go fallow. I hope you gave them all high marks. It would have been wonderful to have something like that when I was in 4-H!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to be a farmer. All that work -- their per hour pay is horrible, and they still get no respect for anyone. A backbreaking job physically, and to make matters worse these days they have to know all sorts of advanced skills, from computers to chemistry and advanced mechanics.
DeleteAnyway, I try to be encouraging with all writers!
One has to be hard. It's easy for me to say that because I wasn't there. I'd probably have made them all the winner.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's a big temptation! I can give out all blue ribbons if I want, but in the end there can only be one champion in their system.
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