Accepting Criticism

Let's face it: you spend time, blood, sweat, and tears on a story, leaving you feel so proud and on top of the world; the last thing you want to hear is criticism. I know this for a fact, as I have personally felt it myself.

However, if you really love your story, then you must be willing to accept what people say about it and contemplate it. If someone says "your writing is horrible, your characters are unsympathetic, yada yada yada", your first reaction is to get defensive or to ignore the comment, only focusing on the good people say. Any author's response should be to listen to what people say, especially if you plan to publish, because heeding criticism makes you into a better writer. It reminds me of a few years ago when I was working on a fantasy novel and wanted feedback; I had gotten positive from a peer and from an adult, but my father tore apart the first chapter. I felt discouraged at first and later gave up the novel, but, looking back over it, the critique was actually good and the story was a piece of trash. And it was this that has helped me to grow in my writing, but I still have quite a way to go.

Accepting harsh words about your writing is not easy, but it is necessary. Do not ignore them, as they are vital to growing in your abilities and they will make your story better. This advice is not only to aspiring authors but also to those who have already been published; being published does not automatically let you off the hook for criticism, despite what many authors may think.