Every profession has them. Only when you are a writer, those reviews are out there for EVERYONE to see. It is such a strange thing to deal with.
When I worked in the criminal justice field (and I did everything from working with victims of domestic violence to collections to being a legal secretary) there was negative feedback. However, that feedback was usually when I had to transcribe all day long as a legal secretary. His accent and my accent didn't quite mesh so I had a hard time hearing his recorded words as they were supposed to be. But it was between me and him.
As a teacher, any negative feedback is in your file or between you and the administrator. Usually. OR there might be negative feedback from parents because let's face it, it is hard for parents to know exactly what is going on at school just as it is hard for us to know just what is going on at home.
HOWEVER, as a published writer, you take joy in positive reviews. You eat it up. You share it on facebook or instagram or twitter. You smile and think "YES! Someone else likes it!!"
... and then you read a bad review.
As a teacher, any negative feedback is in your file or between you and the administrator. Usually. OR there might be negative feedback from parents because let's face it, it is hard for parents to know exactly what is going on at school just as it is hard for us to know just what is going on at home.
HOWEVER, as a published writer, you take joy in positive reviews. You eat it up. You share it on facebook or instagram or twitter. You smile and think "YES! Someone else likes it!!"
... and then you read a bad review.
That smile quickly loses it's shape.
Eyes start sagging.
Ears are practically not even existing any longer.
The negativity has clouded over and you start thinking "Crap. I suck. AND they have just told the entire world how much I suck."
...and then something begins to happen...
Eyes start sagging.
Ears are practically not even existing any longer.
The negativity has clouded over and you start thinking "Crap. I suck. AND they have just told the entire world how much I suck."
...and then something begins to happen...
You start feeling defiant.
Maybe a little angry, but not sure at who or really what.
You want to defend yourself against the review...but you don't. You mustn't. That would be beneath you.
Instead, you start to realize that it is ok if not everyone likes something that you created. You don't like every book or person out there so why must everyone like you. They don't.
Just keep doing what you love, take pride in your work, and keep working hard. But always remember that not everyone will like you or your work.
And that is ok.
Maybe a little angry, but not sure at who or really what.
You want to defend yourself against the review...but you don't. You mustn't. That would be beneath you.
Instead, you start to realize that it is ok if not everyone likes something that you created. You don't like every book or person out there so why must everyone like you. They don't.
Just keep doing what you love, take pride in your work, and keep working hard. But always remember that not everyone will like you or your work.
And that is ok.