Dealing with Criticism as a Writer
As a writer, you cannot escape criticism. Writing is an intimate yet open process. Sharing your work with others makes you susceptible to their assessments, and sometimes these assessments might be unfavourable or even harsh. If you're not well prepared to handle such responses, it could hurt your confidence as a writer and your writing as a whole.
Criticism could come as notes from your editor, comments from fellow writers in a critique group, reviews shared by your readers, and so on. When it does, it is better to view it as an important part of the writing process rather than an attack on your creativity. It won't always be delivered in the best way, but don't let the tone overshadow the message. Note any patterns you find. If multiple people are making the same observation, then that’s something you want to check out.
Be discerning of what is useful and what isn’t – not all suggestions will align with your artistic vision, and that's okay. Look at the source of the criticism. Is it coming from an experienced editor, a fellow writer with a good track record, or a thoughtful reader? These credible sources are the ones most likely to provide valuable guidance. You should simply weigh the merits of the feedback you are getting against the goals you have set for your work. Ultimately, the decisions you make about your writing should be yours and yours alone.
Upon receiving criticism, you might begin to get a feeling of self-doubt or get defensive. In situations like this, you want to give yourself time to absorb and evaluate the feedback before reacting. Engage in other activities to take your mind off it, then come back to it after some time. Taking a step back helps you avoid impulsive responses that you might regret later. Remember, feedback is directed at your writing and not your identity as a writer or as a person. A person's opinion is not a verdict on your worth as a writer.
Learn to differentiate between useful criticism and pure negativity. Constructive criticism will come with specific suggestions for improvement, but negative comments usually lack depth and provide little to no value. Address the useful critics and ignore the negative comments.
If you find a critique unclear, seek clarification. Politely reaching out to the reviewer to ask for specific examples or more context helps you better understand the reviewer's perspective as well as interpret the feedback accurately. That way, you can make the necessary changes and improve your writing.