Angela Auten asked Patty Blount:

I understand your point of view when it comes to writers block. I get it so often. I also read when I feel I lost my spark. I enjoyed Grace's character in Some Boys. I really can't wait to read Send, TMI, and Nothing Left to Burn. How did you deal with negative critiques at first? At first I would normally get angry, but I calmed down and listened.

Patty Blount Hi, Angie,

To be honest, I had to stop reading negative reviews, which is why it took me 18 days to answer this question -- I have to stay off Goodreads to preserve my sanity and confidence. Now, critiques and negative reviews aren't the same thing... I do seek out critiques from people I trust like beta readers, author friends from my writers' group. They will tell me where I can improve, why certain scenes don't work and do it a way that doesn't make me feel like I should never touch the keyboard ever again. Sadly, some reviews get way too personal and insulting so I had to simply stop reading them.

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