Shake It Off
Becoming a writer is a perilous journey, fraught with the slings and arrows of rejection slips and the cannon fire of critics who tear holes in our carefully crafted plots. Just when you think you might be entertaining someone with your words, you find a ready critic who is able to pinpoint precisely why you’re not the next JK Rowling or George RR Martin. Fortunately, a popular song on the radio reminds us writers how to deal with people who don’t see eye to eye with us on our creative endeavors. The haters gonna hate. What can we do about it? As Taylor Swift reminds us, we’re just gonna shake it off.
How do you shake off the public criticism of your work? It’s not easy. You can’t hide from your critics. The whole world can see your one-star reviews on Amazon. Everyone knows how many Goodreads reviewers liked your book. Becoming a writer is already fraught with so much rejection and editorial feedback that cuts to the bone it’s a wonder that writers ever find the courage to release their work. Publishing a book is kind of like setting off a firecracker: you light the fuse then run fifty feet away and cover your ears, and wait for the explosion. Writers launch their books then duck and cover, waiting for the cutting words of the critics to land their mark. In today’s online world, there is a never ending line of critics who are able to share their views about your work with anyone who cares to read.
The haters gonna hate Miss Swift tell us, so what can a writer do about it? Not much. Grow a thick skin. Most importantly, work on craft so that your published product is the best it can be. That includes making sure your book is professionally edited. Identify your target audience. Who did you write this book for? How do they feel about your book? In my Legends of Orkney series, I write for middle graders. So when an adult doesn’t like the story, I’m less concerned then if my middle graders found it boring. If the kids love it, what do I care what the adults think? Sure, it’s nice when everyone loves you, but you can’t please everyone as a writer, you can’t write a book that satisfies the palate of every reader, so focus your efforts toward the audience you care about most. Get them to be your loyal fans, and then maybe, they’ll bring your critics around.
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