Praise = Constructive Criticism. What do you think?

• Do you ever hold back praise in fear of not constructively criticising someone's work? 
• Do you ever hold back praise because you think the author/writer is brilliant and knows it? (Believe me, we may think we're brilliant in small bursts of temperamental self-confidence, but it never lasts. More often than not we think we're terrible.)
• Do you ever hold back praise because you think the work has so many problems that need to be dealt with before offering any?
• Do you ever hold back praise out of jealously?
• Do you ever hold back praise due to thinking the writer might believe you're not very well-educated in literature and therefore can't find anything to criticize?

Well, I say stop it. You know why? Because praise can act as constructive criticism too. Sometimes praise motivates us to do better because we want to continue to impress the person who has offered it. We want to continue to write well (or whatever the project may be) in fear of disappointing the praiser the next time.

• Praise is a push in the right direction.
• Praise inspires.
• Praise goes a lot further than you think.
• It's not just flattery - it's validation.
• Praise makes writers want to write more - artists want to keep creating.

So go ahead! Praise someone. You might even make yourself feel good too. :o)