Managing negative feedback when you are a writer
As writers, we are told to develop a thick skin, that negative feedback is part of the writing life, that writing is subjective, yada, yada, yada.
Negative feedback sucks. That's the harsh truth. I have been writing for over twenty years, and being trashed for my writing still hurts.
You would think I would have gotten over it by now but I haven't. I just try to use some techniques to manage the anxiety caused by the hurtful comments. Sometimes I succeed; other times I don't.
Here are some of what I try to do when I'm about to start a pity party over negative feedback or a 1-star review:
Delete Goodreads from your phone: This might be hard to do as an author since you will always be tempted to read the reviews of your book every minute of the day, but trust me, you need your sanity too. Just check the reviews a few times a week on your computer.
Walk away and take a walk. When you succumb to temptation and scroll through the reviews, and you feel a knot in your chest over a nasty comment, just leave everything, go outside and take a walk.
Meditate. Clear your mind and reboot your system. You need it. We all need it.
Create a positive feedback swipe file that you can go back to when you're feeling down. Save it all, the comments, the Emails, the reviews, and the DMS that made you smile.
Remember that even Hemmingway gets trashed online for his writing
Take care of yourself. Exercise, drink water, and eat healthily. If your body is strong, your mind is strong and you will be able to handle the storm.
All writers get bad reviews. Yes, it sucks, but you will get through it. Keep writing.
Photo by Kat Stokes on Unsplash