The negative

To date I have received 5 stellar reviews on Amazon. Most from people I know, and that want to promote my work. I have enjoyed a moment of unadulterated joy from each of these. It only lasts a short time, praise, flattery, compliments, all seem to fade quickly. A quick taste of delight before the doubts start to creep back in. Almost like caffeine, a momentary upper, a temporary high. And then I crave another.

The positive, no matter how much or how often, is less permanent than the negative. And I am a glass half full sort of fellow! But when the critics critique I bow to their pressure. I crumble under their touch like a sand castle before the wave. No matter the hours dedicated to my creation, one small touch from the cold sea and I am a disintegrating mess.

Do I have “thin skin?”

Yes. I think I do.

I have been told to get used to it. To prepare for the detractors, from the naysayers, the vagabonds and knaves who will have fun watching me squirm.

If I knew it was coming, I might better prepare. But each and every person who reads my work is another opportunity for praise. And the lack of praise is damning enough. Those who go out of their way to tell you just how badly you did are the ones who really do the most damage.

And to be honest I haven’t had too many of those just yet. Probably because I am not widely read… Yet…

It’s a two edged sword. I want the readers, I want the truth. But I want the readers to love my work and all to tell me that truth. I don’t want the honest answer that there might be those who are not interested.

But I take the good with the bad. The dark with the light. It is a part of this path that I am on. Even if it curves in ways I never saw coming.

So keep the truth coming. Even if it hurts. I want to deliver a tale that many will love. Many is better than none, even if it’s not all…

C