Using Negative Feedback as Fuel in Your Writing Journey

It is a tough reality to accept: As much as we would like to escape negative feedback about our writing, it is an inevitable part of the publishing process. Between querying potential agents and publishers and engaging both loyal and skeptical readers, writers are acutely aware that their work is wide open to criticism. Even self-publishing authors must endure this dreaded, universal experience. Sure, the criticism is intended to be constructive in most cases, and it’s not personal. But when you invest so much time, passion, and love in your writing, it can be a little personal. 

Realistically, we understand that not everyone will enjoy our writing or understand our visions, but negative feedback can be defeating, often leading to self-doubt and a loss of direction. Giving up, though, is too easy. Being brave enough to put yourself and your work out there is hard, but you can turn negative feedback or criticism into the fuel that propels you to success far beyond your imagination. 

Shifting your mindset is never a seamless, instantaneous practice, but with small, manageable changes, negative feedback can mean positive influences for your writing. Consider the following perspectives:

1. Negative feedback gives us the opportunity to pause and cast reflection on our own work. A negative comment will make us reevaluate our writing quicker than any positive feedback, especially the earlier we are in our writing journeys when we tend to be overly critical of ourselves. Positive or feel-good reviews certainly help boost our confidence which is crucial and what we strive for as writers–affirmation that people enjoy the stories we have to tell. But there is some comfort level with positive feedback that prohibits the same growth that negative feedback encourages. Use criticism as leverage to reach your potential, even if your motivation is based largely on the intent to “prove the naysayers wrong.” 

2. Variety is the spice of life. Your writing is unique because you are unique. And while it would be incredible to appeal to everyone, it just is not possible. If all of your reviews and feedback were only positive, how would readers interpret that? There is a chance that they could see it as inauthentic, questioning the validity of the reviews and in turn your credibility as an author. Even the most celebrated and successful authors encounter negative feedback and criticism, so why should you view it as a roadblock to your potential? 

3. Not all criticism is negative. Our initial reaction to any criticism is that it comes from a place of total dissatisfaction or displeasure. This may be true in some cases, however it is important to remember that criticism can be inspiring. Whether it comes from a well-meaning, trusted source or someone coming in contact with your work for the first time, criticism draws on what is and builds on what is possible. We should take criticism into consideration, thinking about how it will help rather than hurt us in our writing. What can I learn from this? How will this criticism enable me to grow in my journey? If used reflectively, criticism can open the door wider for your success. 

It is not a matter of if you will receive negative feedback or criticism, it’s when. Not an easy pill to swallow in any profession, but as a writer, whose stories live so tenderly in our hearts, negative feedback can be soul-crushing. And the fact that we want to impulsively and fiercely defend our work is natural, commendable even. But the ultimate response to negative feedback is how we allow it to transform our outlook and use it to move us forward, striving for more. For ourselves and the many people out there who are waiting to hear our stories.

DG