Learning To Accept Criticism of Your Writing

It's a given that writers get discouraged from time to time. We work hard on what we write, sometimes revising and editing multiple times before submitting to a critique group or an editor or a contest. It's then that we can be shot down as easily as a paratrooper behind enemy lines.

When criticism of what we've written comes, we probably feel angry, hurt, discouraged and more. Is it normal? Of course, it is. What are you going to do about it? Sulk? Pout? Rage? That's fine at first, but then you need to step back and look at the criticism with an objective eye. Granted, that's not always easy to do. You might feel like you do when that Monopoly card that tells you to return to start and do not collect $200. Who wants to backtrack?

When a critique group sends you multiple crits on your submission, and most of them point out the same problem areas, then you can be pretty sure that you need to work on that part of the story, or whatever it is. You don't have to like it, but you sure better take it seriously and see what you can do to fix the trouble area. Some critiquers will do more than tell you a place needs work; they'll also give suggestions. I love those who do.

Remember that other people reading your work see with different eyes. They don't know what you were thinking when you wrote it. Only what they read. You know the background of what you wrote; they do not. Only what they read. They can help you find spots that need clarification.

If you're fortunate enough to receive a note from an editor saying why he/she rejected your submission, get over the anger and hurt in a hurry and pay close attention to what the editor tells you. It's key to preparing the same piece for the next submission.

Don't even consider joining a critique group unless you can do so with the attitude that the people critiquing your work are not intent on hurting you. Accept the fact that they are working to help you get your submission ready to send to an editor, publisher or contest. If you're hoping for nothing but praise, you already set yourself up for disappointment. I don't ever remember one of my submissions in my online writing group coming back saying something like This is perfect. I would not change a thing. If only! No matter how well a story is written, there are almost always changes, even little ones, that can make it better.

Isn't that what we strive for? To make our writing the best it can be, even with the help of other writers. Learning from criticism comes down to attitude. Look at criticism of your writing as a learning situation. If all you get is angry, then you've defeated the purpose of asking others to give a critical eye to your work.