Conceited because of my writing?

ACH! How's the air up there...on your high-horse! Just kidding...I wouldn't worry about it. Just because you attempt to create thought provoking material for people to enjoy does not necessarily make you conceited. Then again, I don't know you and you may very well be conceited for some other reason in some other context! I've been writing professionally for oh, 'bout 11 odd years now. I would encourage you to keep going; pursue your love of of the art - you can make a very comfortable living at it. Then, when your friends are sitting at a cubicle in some depressing call center listening to unhappy people scream at them because their Mop-o-matic broke the first time they dipped it in the "patented, organic detergent trough," you can smile and say you told them so.

I know that saying 'don't take offense' generally precedes something offensive, and this is no difference. This is the way I see it, and if you disagree with me that's fine. I wanted to share my opinion since it is what you requested. The writing itself does sound conceited. If you're writing from your own perspective, and that is how you feel, then I can see where she could get that it's conceited. (Not to mention the half-dressed photograph of unnecessary. A humble boy wouldn't have posted such a thing.) Let me explain my reasoning. Talking about being more intelligent than everyone around you, and having the ability to manipulate everyone around you does bring with it some ideas that you would be, indeed, an arrogant jerk. I'm not saying this is the case, but since this character you've painted for yourself in those two works (and seem to be re-creating in misanthropist) seems to be rather full of himself. So does the voice speaking in 'I Don't Want to Be a Writer.' Your works aren't perfect, but the voice speaking seems to believe they are, and because of this I can see why your friend felt as though you were being conceited. I agree with her. The arrogance exuded by your muse basically smacks your reader in the face, as a pungent odor might. 'One Reason for Every Mile' is less blatantly conceited, but definitely comes off as condescending. (Assuming that someone would cry because the speaker isn't around, calling a relationship with the speaker a fantasy held by mystery girl... It very 'I'm better than you and you don't deserve me.' I understand writing from what comes to mind, your inspiration. I've done it all my life, and that's perfectly acceptable. You as a poet and someone who respects literature, need to see that if you write in this fashion people may be turned off by your protruding ego. It will be through no fault of the reader if they view your work this way if that is the picture you paint. It's kind of like telling someone that you hate chocolate, but then get mad at them for not getting you a chocolate birthday cake. You can't tell them one thing/convey one thing and expect them to believe something else entirely. I know actions speak louder than words, but sometimes (such as on dA) words are all you get. Tread carefully. ((My broken paragraphs and erratic punctuation are intended to divide thoughts as I would when speaking, so please don't decide to gripe at me for being incorrect with them as an act of retribution. I know, it's deliberate.))

Personally, there is nothing wrong with feeling this way when it comes to your Writings. I think personally we as Writers of any sort are the Worst critics there is, but when we are Happy with our work, that is what should count as well. I too Love to Write, and one day hope to be a Published author in time. I have had some of my work published from time to time in papers, etc. but just need to get up the nerve to go further with it as well. I wish you the Best with your endeavors and may all of your Writing dreams come true.

Having read the two poems your friend originally commented on, the tidbit for your next, the response others had, and your response to them this is what I have to say. 1.With the material presented in the post, your poetry does sound conceited. After all, when you follow the links you start out with "Manipulator" which makes the reader's skin crawl and begin to put of a wall of protection within themselves. 2.You say that all of your writing isn't like this and that this writing has a purpose and a reason for sounding the way that it does. With that in mind why do you care how it makes your friend (or me or some other reader or writer) feel or think of you? 3.You also say that you are not a conceited person. If this is the case then it should be that you aren't offended or upset by the fact that someone thinks you sound conceited because of your writing. After all...if you already know it isn't true and your writing has a reason for sounding conceited then you seem to be struggling with something that shouldn't bother you. 4.Read your poetry as though you have never seen it before and that it belongs to another poet. What would you say about it? Conceited. That doesn't make it bad or good. It just is the feeling that is left behind by the poems, especially reading the two of them as a pair. This could be a faze you are going through or it could be that you come off as conceited in all your writing...that is something you will have to figure out.

Take your little poem there and put it away for at least a couple of years. Don't think about it, forget it. Spend that time getting over yourself, go back and read the poem. Reality should set in.

I would never call someone conceited based on one piece of work. Especially not just a snippet of it. Now if ALL your work spoke in the same voice or meaning, then yes, I could consider calling you conceited. Writing, especially poetry, should be words that flow from you, and they will usually be based on whatever you're feeling at that moment. Anytime someone speaks from the heart, there is a chance that the message emoted will appear to be self-centered. That is to be expected, you're speaking from YOUR heart after all. It is what YOU are feeling. However, if you are presenting things other than yourself, just simply using your voice and emotions - you are not in any way conceited or self-centered. That is simply true writing. Now if all you ever talked about was yourself or your accomplishments - that would be a different matter. This one piece should not place the mark of "conceit" upon your head. We're all entitled to some self-praise now and then.