Using Criticism Wisely

Taking criticism of your work is one of the toughest things you will have to deal with. When you put everything you have into a piece of writing and send it out into the world for feedback, it's like giving birth. Negative feedback is akin to being told your child is ugly or just doesn't measure up. Criticism can hurt, and if you let it, can block your creativity. There is another angle on criticism to consider, however. What someone else thinks of your work, whether it's an editor, friend or fellow writer, should be viewed as just food for thought rather than a condemnation of your efforts. It's one more perspective on your work that deserves to at least be considered. It's another lens focusing in a different way on the same image. When looked at in this way, it becomes less discouraging and more challenging. The feedback is an opportunity for you to take another look at your work, perhaps consider an angle you hadn't thought of before. You can decide to either utilize the feedback or, if it's not particularly helpful, discard it. The key is you don't have to internalize it. See it for what it is - just another opinion - and keep it in its proper place without becoming emotionally invested in it. Simply use it as one of many tools in your writing practice. Learning to view criticism in this way will help you develop a clearer perspective on your writing and will help you stay motivated to keep working on your skills and believing in your talent.