Have you ever received a negative review of your writing? You know, the kind that makes you want to crawl under a rock and never write another word?
I have, and it hurts. It didn’t matter that I also received several good reviews, nope, it didn’t matter at all. I focused on the negative words and allowed them to affect my mood and actions – I beat myself up for days or weeks. The key is to mine the gold from a negative review, and then move on.
That’s where the problem comes in: it’s hard to “move on”, much easier to wallow in the condemnation pit. Yes, it’s a choice, and it all comes back to what I believe to be true about God (He called me to write), myself (I am gifted but not perfect), and others (people have different opinions). Here’s what I learned from my experiences…and I’m still learning how to walk this way.
- Negative words aimed at us are going to hurt. Let them hurt. It’s OK. It’s human. Have a good cry, punch a wall, talk to a trusted friend. Then when the emotions have subsided…
- Look for nuggets of truth in what was said – take the words to God and ask what He has for you. None of are beyond needing correction, or improving our work. Also remember that what the enemy intends for harm, God intends for good. Once you’ve mined for truth…
- Thank God for their review. Maybe God will lead you to thank them, too. Either way, going through the experience is a gift God can use to make you stronger in Him and better at what He’s called you to write. Don’t forget to…
- Bless the one who spoke / wrote the negative words, out loud. The spoken word is powerful. Believe the best about them, bless them, and ask the Lord how you can pray for them. Keep on praying until you feel released to stop, which is usually when the emotions of the event are gone. Finally…
- Expect negative reviews – not everyone will like your writing. Plus you have a message of hope to get out and an enemy who wants to discourage you at every turn. What better way than to try and shift your focus away from God and what He’s called you to do.
Like a miner, sometimes you have to blast through a whole lot of rock to get to the diamonds and gold. Ask God for help, and choose to do things His way: forgive, bless, be thankful.
[bctt tweet=”Take the time to mine the gold from a negative review. Then move on. #almostanauthor #amwriting “]
3 replies on “Mine the Gold from a Negative Review”
As a reveiwer, who had upon occasion written critical reviews, I try to do my utmost not to make personal remarks about the author, and instead direct critcism at the characters/story/writing style.
I know that some would say ‘If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all’, but I don’t feel I can adopt this when it comes to reviews. I try not to be hurtful- and I try to balance crticism with praise where I can, but I do believe in being honest, and I also believe that readers deserve to be able to hear all the facts to make an informed choice.
On the other side of the coin, I have been attacked, bullied and insulted for my critical reviews and opinions, by fans and even by authors. Yet I have also been thanked by readers of reviews.
Well said.
We need honest reviews. Unfortunately, that means some of them will be critical, or even just less glowing than we might like.
But rarely is a negative or critical review about the author. It’s usually about the book, and you are not your book. It might be about the writing, which means it is a nugget you can mine to improve.
It might be about a reviewer’s reaction to a specific character or plot point, in which case it’s too late to change it, so ignore it (and praying for the reviewer is a great idea – the review may well reflect a deep hurt in their life, so your prayer for healing in that area is important beyond words).
It might be about God, as you’ve said. In that case, let God deal with it.
Again, well said.
Great article. I do this when I get a negative comment about my speaking. It hurts. Especially when we put so much time and effort into it. There usually is a nugget of truth in what the person says. I pray for the person who has made the negative comment. That person could be having a bad day or a bad life.
Thanks for taking the time to write this.