When we open ourselves to sharing our creative work, we risk rejection, of course. A great technique to manage the shame of it (worked for me this week)
I'm sorry someone posted something inappropriate in a review. Anyone with common sense would know better than to get personal, or at least one would think so. I've read that some authors never look at reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and so on. I am tempted to do the same when my book comes out. It seems cowardly to avoid reading what might feel hurtful, but as a writer, I am already insecure. Why feed the monster within? Do you have advice about the question of whether to read reviews or not?
Nancy, thank you. I totally appreciate avoiding any food for the monster so it’s a good idea to ask why read them. Is it to learn what worked in the book? That’s something I can usually hear after a time away from it. But I also avoid reviews if it might affect my regular writing rhythm and make me start subconsciously writing for what people want to hear. That’s not good either. So my usual is to read reviews during the first boost of promotion for a new book then step away.
Thanks so much for being vulnerable and sharing. This exercise reminds me of the empty chair exercise where you tell the chair everything you would tell the person if they were sitting in it.
I'm sorry someone posted something inappropriate in a review. Anyone with common sense would know better than to get personal, or at least one would think so. I've read that some authors never look at reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and so on. I am tempted to do the same when my book comes out. It seems cowardly to avoid reading what might feel hurtful, but as a writer, I am already insecure. Why feed the monster within? Do you have advice about the question of whether to read reviews or not?
Nancy, thank you. I totally appreciate avoiding any food for the monster so it’s a good idea to ask why read them. Is it to learn what worked in the book? That’s something I can usually hear after a time away from it. But I also avoid reviews if it might affect my regular writing rhythm and make me start subconsciously writing for what people want to hear. That’s not good either. So my usual is to read reviews during the first boost of promotion for a new book then step away.
Thank you, BEE!!
Thanks so much for being vulnerable and sharing. This exercise reminds me of the empty chair exercise where you tell the chair everything you would tell the person if they were sitting in it.