Stop apologizing for being a writer
Nietzsche said, ���The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.���
Who���s gratitude was he referring to?
I write quite a few book reviews and it���s not uncommon for the author to comment on what I���ve said. Invariably they say thank you if the review is positive, and they apologize if I don���t like their book.
Is that the appropriate response?
Even if your book is poorly written but you���ve been honest and done your best isn���t that a remarkable feat?
What you���ve done is taken nothing and from your own wit and imagination created something. No one gave you a recipe, a blueprint or any type of plan beyond perhaps some suggestions, most of which you probably ignored.
How many other achievements in your life rank up there with writing a book? It���s not an accident of biology, the manifestation of greed, or the manipulation of public opinion. No one promised you unconditional love, wealth or fame and power.
And yet you���ve considered this project for years and labored for hundreds of hours on it.
You���re proud of your accomplishment and so you should be.
Why then do you thank someone when they offer a few crumbs of praise? Worse yet, why do you apologize when they���re critical of your accomplishment?
A more appropriate response from the reader or critic might be:
���Thank you for writing this book. I appreciate your commitment and the time you put into this worthy endeavor. Unfortunately, I didn���t enjoy it (or the opposite) and here���s why.”
Your response should be, ���You���re welcome,��� or none at all.
Does it matter if people read your book? Does it matter if they liked it or didn���t like it? Does their opinion diminish the act of creativity?
I think it���s time to stop apologizing, time to stop being embarrassed for being a creator.
It���s time to look them in the eye and say, ���I���m a writer and no my books don���t sell. Do you have a problem with that?���
Well, maybe it���s not time for that just yet.
Stay calm, be brave, watch for the signs
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My new novels, FOREST ��� Love, Loss, Legend and The BIG PICTURE ��� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic are available as e-books or paperbacks on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003DS6LEU and as e-books at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/raglin
Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014
Visit my publisher���s website for excerpts from, and buy links to my Eco-Fi series ECO-WARRIORS, that includes Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More ��� Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92
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