User blog comment:Memai/When it hits the fan/@comment-2109247-20120213124926/@comment-4675595-20120213155403

My two cents: Never post when you're angry or upset, ever. It seems to me like you're quick to get defensive and totally fly off the handle, even when you aren't being attacked. If you read something that upsets you, take your hands away from the keyboard, and take a deep breath. Organize your thoughts before you say something - reread the comment/post/what have you, try to decipher if they were really attacking you, or if they're saying something reasonable. This is especially true when receiving critique - try to assume that, even if they worded something harshly, the poster is only trying to help you. Also, try to figure out what, exactly, made you angry about their post. Nine times out of ten, you'll see that it was just some trivial thing, not worth getting all riled up over.

Keep in mind that you're not seeing any of us face-to-face when you read our comments - all you see is our words, and not the inflections behind them that might make them seem hostile. It's all how you interpret them - if you go in expecting to be attacked, you will feel attacked. Try to read everything will an opened mind, and stop assuming that everyone who doesn't sugarcoat things for you is out to get you. It isn't true.

If you're really willing to be critiqued, I'll be happy to help, once you've posted something. But any more of these little episodes, and you're on your own.