Monday, December 12, 2011

On Handling Rejection and Criticism...

Keep this in mind: you're not going to please everyone all the time.

When I was in high school, I was part of a program that frequently made us write what they called "interdisciplinary essays".  These were essays that, as the name suggests, crossed disciplines.  We were expected to take the theme given to us, use the knowledge attained (on said theme) from around 3 different classes, and write just one essay that incorporated everything into it. We couldn't use "what I learned in X class was..." or anything similar - these had to be college level.

We had various deadlines for various parts of our essay.  First, we turned our outline in to the teachers -- each would make comments.  Then, we turned in the rough drafts -- more comments.  Finally, we would turn in the final draft, for our grade.

No matter what you did, you never received the same grade from all 3 teachers.  Each one would find something they liked and another one hated, and vice versa.

What this experience taught me is that writing just to please your audience isn't a way to maintain your sanity, but receiving multiple opinions on your writing (however frustrating that may be at times) can dramatically improve what you've done (even when you don't employ every single suggestion you receive).

BUT, those opinions have to be honest.  Being told that you're filled with awesomesauce feels great as it boosts your ego, but ultimately doesn't help you improve what you've written, so it can be the best possible work you can do.  You need the criticism of your weaknesses, as much as the pointing out of your strengths.

Having an agent reject your novel, or a critique partner criticize your hard work can be frustrating, upsetting, even depressing.  But, take a minute to breathe and realize that every opinion can help you.  Every review, beta-reader report, critique, editorial comment, etc. can guide you to becoming a better writer -- can push you to create your best possible work.

Even if you become a highly successful, traditionally (or independently) published author - the next Stephen King - you won't please everyone all the time.  You'll still have to deal with poor reviews and criticism from time to time.  In fact, the more successful you become, the more criticism you may find yourself having to deal with.

It doesn't mean you're a bad writer.  It doesn't mean you should give up your dreams.  It doesn't mean you can't tell a good story.  It just means you can always improve, and not everyone is always going to be thrilled by what you do.

Hey, not everyone likes Picasso or Mozart or J. K. Rowling either, but they've done alright in the history books, eh?  ;)

No comments:

Post a Comment