How to Deal With
Critique in a Constructive Way
One
of the main issues the main character in the Self-Help 101 series deals with is her writing insecurities. In the latest installment, Self-Help 101 or: How to Select a Costume to
Help You Deal With People, Dani has started a blog. While some of the feedback she gets from her
readers is good, she also gets her share of negative critiques. It’s a reality all writers must be prepared
to encounter.
First
of all, it’s crucial to understand not all critique is equal. There are some people who take joy in hurling
vile insults at anyone they can reach.
When you put your writing out there for the world to enjoy, you’re also
exposing yourself to people like this.
It can be frustrating to read abusive comments about your work that
offer no constructive criticism, but it’s important not to let things like this
stop you from writing. If a comment
offers nothing valuable, it’s not worth your time.
I’ve
also seen authors deal with one-star reviews that make you wonder why the
person chose the book in the first place.
An example of this would be someone saying they hate reading books with
teenage protagonists while reviewing a book that was clearly marketed as
featuring a teenage protagonist. Reviews
like this can also be quite frustrating, but these can also be safely brushed
to the side. They are not an indictment
of your work. This person was never a
part of the book’s target audience anyway, and you’re never going to be able to
write something that everyone loves.
The
critiques that a writer should take to heart are the ones that make thoughtful
observations about the material. If
enough readers say that a particular part of your story doesn’t work for them,
then you should consider what they have to say.
Learning to analyze and make use of good constructive criticism is a
vital skill for any writer to have.
Ultimately it’s up to you to decide which suggestions you’re going to
take into account in the future. Just
remember that this kind of feedback is valuable, because it’s how you learn and
grow as a storyteller.
Excerpt:
Seth was silent for several moments as he read
the despicable comment. “I wish I could
punch whoever wrote that,” he finally said.
He was seething. The prospect of
Seth rushing off to defend my honor was both laughable, because the guy may be
many things but a fighter is not one of them, and sweet, albeit in a somewhat
barbaric way. Not that I’m any better. I know I’m not. If anyone gave Seth too much of a hard time,
I’d be right there plotting revenge.
“You shouldn’t bother yourself too much over
this comment,” I said lightly. “This
person’s suggestions, while intriguing, would involve violating several known
laws of physics.”
I could have deleted the comment. I’d been tempted to go that route on multiple
occasions, but I kept deciding against it.
If the nasty comments were going to keep coming anyway, I’d rather wear
them as a badge of honor. The fact that
someone took the time to write such vile drivel meant that I had a growing
audience with which I’d struck a chord.
That couldn’t be all bad.
Title: Self-Help 101 or: How to
Select a Costume to Help You Deal With People
Author: L.G. Keltner
Genre: holiday/humor
Length: 29,000 words
Cover Art: L.G. Keltner and Jamon Walker
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Blurb:
Book
3 in the Self-Help 101 series.
Dani
Finklemeier is adjusting to life in college and the realities of living away
from home for the first time. She’s also
learning to deal with the criticism that stems from sharing her writing with
the world. Some of the online criticism
is even spelled correctly, which somehow makes it worse.
Fortunately,
she has a Halloween party, a group of friends, and a supportive boyfriend to
distract her from the things that are bothering her. Of course, a holiday celebration wouldn’t be
complete without something going wrong.
Between an unpleasant confrontation with an infuriating classmate, some
shocking costume choices, and a bizarre fraternity stunt, the evening will be
anything but dull.
Dani’s
detractors may not like it, but she’ll definitely have enough material for
another book.
Bio:
L.G. Keltner spends most of her time trying to
write while also cleaning up after her crazy but wonderful kids and hanging out
with her husband. Her favorite genre of
all time is science fiction, and she’s been trying to write novels since the
age of six. Needless to say, those
earliest attempts weren’t all that good.
Her non-writing hobbies include astronomy and
playing Trivial Pursuit.
Purchase Links:
E-book:
Print:
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How do you handle writing and/or receiving critiques?
