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male playwrights teaching zoom classes to new female writers should not be allowed to use a section of the female writers work and say ‘this is wrong’ or ‘this is how NOT to do it’. A) you don’t make the rules. B) there are no rules C) fuck you.
You are in a position of power as a teacher or workshop leader. Your words matter. How you give feedback matters. It can do years of damage. Believe me I know this from bitter experience. And who are you to decree right and wrong when it comes to new voices, art, creativity
That young playwright believed you. I just told her not to. That YOU were wrong. That her voice is important and evolving and there is no wrong when it comes to telling our stories. Only different and new and unique and exciting and more more more please
This is how you silence. I won’t have it. @We_BurnBright
Hi. It’s ok. I know not all men are crappy teachers. I happen to know a lot of awesome encouraging brilliant ones. They know I’m not talking about them. I also know there must be crappy women teachers out there too. I wasn’t talking about them either.
I was talking about a very *specific* thing that happens to young women being taught by older more ‘experienced’ men. The *specific* language used and the belittling and dismissive techniques that are very damaging
I know it doesn’t feel massive but if what you’ve said and done stops her from writing ever again then it *IS* massive. This shit was happening to me and friends when I was starting out. When I heard it had happened to a new writer this week it made me rage. Hence my tweets.
You may feel it is your duty to defend the entire male population from my hurtful words but I think you’ll find most of them understood what I was trying to say. It’s not about you. Unless you use damaging feedback in your writing workshops then you can relax. All is well.
