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How To Not Take Negative Feedback and Criticism Personally as a Writer

Writer's picture: Matt GorrellMatt Gorrell

Hello everyone, I would like to share a quick update before this blog post. I just completed the first draft of my two novel series, Wounds for the Innocent. I’m proud of this accomplishment and I attribute all the work I did this weekend to completing that. However, my first reactions to feedback were not all positive, and they never are. People have different tastes or your novel may need some work. The point is to not let that control where you go from the novel from there. If your story is honest about your motives or causes you support through your themes and characters, that is all that matters.


However, while writing this in the back of my mind I was contemplating how to fix the plot holes in my novel. Then I sent it out for feedback from a relative and he said my plot solution would fill a lot of plot-holes. So think about it like a collaborative production at this point. They advise you what needs work, you work on it and seek feedback for your revision. Most people who give you feedback will not be like this. But keep in mind, some will.

Overall, the first round of feedback was positive and I am happy for that and makes me feel what I wrote was worth awhile. However, it revealed to me areas of plot I need to work on and characters I need to develop more as well. If you are a INFJ like me or just any highly sensitive person you may feel inclined to exhibit negative emotions when it comes to feedback like this. But you must fight these emotions and recognize they are only sharing this to help you better your story. Which leads me to my next point, separating yourself from your story.

To be clear I do not mean stop being passionate about your work. I am simply saying learn to separate yourself from it and recognize they are not doing it to discourage or attack you personally, they are only trying to help or help you make the reader better understand your story. I myself felt personal attachment to my characters, but at the end of the day it is fiction. That’s the best part, novels are an escape… not reality.


Till next time.


- Matt Gorrell (creator of mattgorrell.com)


 




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