On Writing: Lumps

Writing is a form of masochism. Students complain of tough instructors. New authors complain of tough editors. Established authors complain about bad reviews.

It doesn’t get easier with publication or paychecks or awards. Good editors continue to bust your chops. As far as reviews go, novelist Joe Abercrombie sums it up nicely: “If everyone loves your stuff, it’s not being read widely enough.”