[Borges]

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, become critics."

Against that here's Henry James' idea that 'Critical Perceptiveness is a rarer gift then writing fiction.' Criticism is an Artform as well.

[RepoGirl]

Well, I'm not going to argue with a master like Henry James. I was one of the few who defended him back 'in the day'.

The thing is--Henry James is a phenomenal writer as well, so any criticism from him has merit. Your average New York Times hack, or academic 'shining star' is a failed literary writer (and yes, I'm aware of the glaringly broad statement that is, but them's my story, and I'm a-stickin' to it.)

And I always maintain, it's easier to critique and deconstruct than it is to create. Look at Roger Ebert.