Brandon
asked
Michael Dalton:
Hello! I'm 17 and just published my first book. I've been receiving a lot of praise but sometimes there are some negative comments. How do you harden yourself to not take offense to anything? Perhaps it's because I'm younger and am pretty soft. I was wondering if you had any advice? Or if there was any way to contact you for more tips? Thank you
Michael Dalton
There are few things tougher than putting your work as an artist out there for the world to pick over. After all, you're pouring your soul into what you create, and it's hard not to take comments of all sorts personally. But one thing you absolutely must develop as a writer is a thick skin. Rejection and negative feedback are simply part of the landscape, and you will get nowhere if you let them tie you in knots.
Stephen King, of all people, was the epitome of a failed writer. He wrote ten novels and dozens of short stories before selling anything. He was living in abject poverty, papering his walls with rejection letters, when he finally sold Carrie. He's a success today because he never gave up.
People are different in what they like, and not everyone is polite in how they express this. You have to remind yourself that comments are just opinions, and you're not required to pay attention to every opinion in the world, no matter the subject.
But negative comments are also a source of growth as a writer. Rather than take offense, try to look at the comment objectively and ask yourself if there is anything constructive you can use to improve your writing—very often there is. I've gained much more from negative feedback in my career than from the positive.
Of course, some people are just jerks and thrive on negativity, and enjoy hurling abuse at writers and artists because of the sense of power it gives them. You have to do your best to ignore small people like that.
Finally, be careful about positive comments too. Praise can become a drug that you start chasing, and that can lead to stagnation as a writer. When your fans are constantly telling you how wonderful you are, you can start to think your growth as an artist is complete. Don't ever lose the self-doubt and insecurity that drives you keep improving your writing.
As for other tips, I post regularly about writing to my blog, and I'm happy to discuss my posts there as well.
Stephen King, of all people, was the epitome of a failed writer. He wrote ten novels and dozens of short stories before selling anything. He was living in abject poverty, papering his walls with rejection letters, when he finally sold Carrie. He's a success today because he never gave up.
People are different in what they like, and not everyone is polite in how they express this. You have to remind yourself that comments are just opinions, and you're not required to pay attention to every opinion in the world, no matter the subject.
But negative comments are also a source of growth as a writer. Rather than take offense, try to look at the comment objectively and ask yourself if there is anything constructive you can use to improve your writing—very often there is. I've gained much more from negative feedback in my career than from the positive.
Of course, some people are just jerks and thrive on negativity, and enjoy hurling abuse at writers and artists because of the sense of power it gives them. You have to do your best to ignore small people like that.
Finally, be careful about positive comments too. Praise can become a drug that you start chasing, and that can lead to stagnation as a writer. When your fans are constantly telling you how wonderful you are, you can start to think your growth as an artist is complete. Don't ever lose the self-doubt and insecurity that drives you keep improving your writing.
As for other tips, I post regularly about writing to my blog, and I'm happy to discuss my posts there as well.
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
Dec 22, 2014 09:34AM · flag
Dec 29, 2014 07:29PM · flag