Do you get your heart broken every time?
Every time someone criticizes your work, that is.
Does it hurt every single time?
We get it. It can be hard dealing with criticism, and there will always be lots of them.
We’ve been there, and we are here to help.
You ready? Let’s start rolling with the punches.
1. Do not take it personally
Yes, we understand. Your work is your baby. Saying something bad about your baby may offend you. This is where you take a step back and realize that they are not attacking you.
They may have found something they need to question and are doing so. Take it with a grain of salt. This is not them judging you for not working hard enough on your manuscript.
This is them reacting to your writing. Their reaction is not something you can control, but yours you can definitely manage.
2. Listen
No, drowning out the criticism is not the way to go. Hear them out.
You have been looking at your manuscript since day one. Here comes a fresh set of eyes. They may be seeing something you overlooked. Listen to what they have to say. It could help improve your work.
3. Decide
It’s time to determine which criticisms to accept and which ones to reject.
Your critics are not always right, except in the case of experienced editors and proofreaders correcting grammar mistakes based on style guides. Maybe one reader thinks the character is annoyingly girly and recommends you tone it down a bit. You get to decide if you will consider her suggestion or not. There may also be another reader who thinks the main character is so weak and allows herself to be used and abused by other people up to the end of the manuscript.
In that particular case, you can figure out ways to address her concern. Maybe you can compromise. The character can start out weak but gradually stand up for herself and evolve into a strong woman.
4. Learn from your mistakes
Your manuscript has numerous corrections grammar wise. Does this mean you’re hopeless?
No it does not. It means you are learning. It means there is room for improvement.
Learn from your errors. If you have a problem with tenses, review on it. If word choice is your weakness, then go ahead and befriend merriam-webster.com. It has a dictionary and thesaurus at your disposal. You can search the word’s meaning and even come up with apt synonyms.
5. Move on
Stop replaying every single criticism over and over again in your head. No, do not go plotting your revenge. It’s done.
You’ve heard them out, dealt with them, and learned from your mistakes. It’s time to move on gracefully and start writing your next book.
You have emerged from the battlefield of criticisms wounded, yet alive. Breathe in the fresh air.
Start over. You’ve got this.