tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post2676110149835803983..comments2024-03-28T06:59:34.982-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Question from a Young Writer: Dealing with Fear of Criticism & RejectionDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-50087244180097156572011-03-24T17:59:24.438-06:002011-03-24T17:59:24.438-06:00Great well said and great advice. Criticism and re...Great well said and great advice. Criticism and rejection is probably the hardest thing to overcome as a writer, but it doesn't have to be a catastrophic event. If we see it as a chance to be better at are craft then it helps to soften the blow.Cynthia Griffin (Writerific)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05515179004681790253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-60169370070657130302011-03-15T15:57:37.934-06:002011-03-15T15:57:37.934-06:00My suggestion would be to join (or create) a good ...My suggestion would be to join (or create) a good writing critique group. If you have a solid group of good writers and readers, you can regularly get criticism that truly is constructive and that is given with your best interests at heart. Not only will this help make you a better writer, it will get you accustomed to receiving criticism and help you learn how to distinguish "good advice criticism" from "meanness."Julie Nilsonhttp://julienilson.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-30525582219554670042011-03-15T13:18:08.495-06:002011-03-15T13:18:08.495-06:00Rejections came with the territory in the big publ...Rejections came with the territory in the big publishing houses, and still do. However, it's often from a prospective agent now because most houses don't accept unagented manuscripts. But there's a way around that rejection—it's called self-publishing or independent publishing for hard copy and Kindle for e-books.<br /><br />The reality is that few books are now traditionally published. Technology has changed the game, and today the writer is in complete control. Rejection is a thing of the past unless that writer chooses to go the traditionsl route.<br /><br />Criticism is another matter. Somebody always wants to be a critic. If a writer gives his/her best effort to the work and has it edited by a competent professional, that criticism is often unwarranted.<br /><br />So let go of the fear and share your work with the world. You'll never please everybody, so allow those who will treasure your words to do so and know for those that don't, it's their loss.Linda Lanehttp://www.denvereditor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-59935942744019117902011-03-14T14:39:40.690-06:002011-03-14T14:39:40.690-06:00I would say this: that everyone has a voice, a uni...I would say this: that everyone has a voice, a unique perspective that puts a particular spin on experiences that are at once individual and universal. Our words might help someone out there understand themselves better - or just feel less alone. One heartfelt fan letter can make up for a whole lot of rejection and criticism!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-37916918103793856762011-03-14T13:53:21.651-06:002011-03-14T13:53:21.651-06:00I would say that a writer who has fear of criticis...I would say that a writer who has fear of criticism and rejection needs to put a big sign next to her monitor that says: Learn to deal with criticism and rejection. <br /><br />It's part of being an author. An agent might reject your work. An editor might reject it. A reader might reject it. A reviewer might reject it. All that changes through the publishing journey is WHO rejects it, not the fact that it is rejected. <br /><br />Learn to turn your vision inward, hear your own voice. In a way, an author has to both write for the reader and write for himself. And here's the weirdest part of being a writer. You have to believe unstintingly in yourself, while being open to criticism. So, you have to be both arrogant and humble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-51069306575272092462011-03-14T12:46:49.152-06:002011-03-14T12:46:49.152-06:00Good suggestion, Darke!
And Maryann, I think you...Good suggestion, Darke!<br /><br /><br />And Maryann, I think you're so right on the luck thing. And even those books that are out with titles like How to Write a Bestseller don't promise smooth sailing to publication...because they can't. Luck often does play a role.Shonell Baconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04827197354857197637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-79274810474819365572011-03-14T10:39:04.179-06:002011-03-14T10:39:04.179-06:00Interesting post, Shon. Good tips here.
I think ...Interesting post, Shon. Good tips here. <br /><br />I think one reason those who have had an easier time getting published haven't written a book about how to accomplish that, is because 99% of the time it is luck. A good friend of mine sold her first novel on the basis of a query letter and the first page of her ms. She was lucky to hit the right editor at the right time with the right story. Her approach would not work for everyone, as evidenced by the rejections the rest of us in the writer's group experienced using the same technique.<br /><br />Sure, that luck has to be backed by good writing, but those who have bypassed hordes of rejections did it primarily by luck. In my humble opinion. LOLMaryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-62330988429073229942011-03-14T07:41:32.598-06:002011-03-14T07:41:32.598-06:00Criticism and rejection are par for the course in ...Criticism and rejection are par for the course in this business. Everyone has to deal with it, but if it's such a big worry, I would suggest they start off small. Maybe they could write a short story and try to get it published online? I found the sting of rejection wasn't as bad for my novel because I had some dealings with rejection from rejections for my short stories (which did end up getting published).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14849835587452669592noreply@blogger.com