I bet you decided to read this post because you have trouble handling criticism of your writing and you thought that I could help you. Well, sorry to disappoint you. The truth is, I really don’t know how to handle such criticism myself.
Like most writers, I am a very sensitive soul. As such, I tend to feel that any criticism of me--in my writing or in any other aspect on my life--is a direct attack on my worth as a person. I really don’t understand the concept of how criticism isn’t personal. If you’re talking to me or about me, it’s personal.
Especially if you are discussing any of my fiction.
Since I was a little girl, I have wanted to write short stories and novels. But fiction writing doesn’t come as easily to me as does my nonfiction writing projects. I struggle with the setting, dialogue, character development--just about every aspect of every piece of fiction that I write. Perhaps because of this struggle, I particularly do not handle criticism of my fictional creations very well.
Case in point…
Creative Writing Class
When I was in college, I took a creative writing class. During the semester, we had to write two short stories. After writing them, we had to email our stories to our classmates for their critiques. As if that wasn’t hard enough on my fragile writer’s ego, we had round table discussions where our stories were read out loud and each student--one by one--would verbally critique our work.
I had panic attacks every week. It was awful. Up to that point, I had never read anything about the right way to handle criticism of your writing--nor did I care to learn. I’m ashamed to admit this, but though I had a few more opportunities to take creative writing classes from that professor, I refused to sign up. I regret my cowardice now, because I missed an opportunity to really develop my fiction writing skills.
…or maybe not.
After making several changes to my short story--changes suggested by the group critique and by the professor--I entered it in the Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition…and won nothing. But a couple of years earlier, long before I took this or any other fiction writing class, I entered one of my short stories into this same contest and won an Honorable Mention.
Go figure.
Any Suggestions for me?
Since I have no words of wisdom on the right way to handle criticism of your writing, I was hoping that you might like to contribute some of your own tips to this post. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.
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