How to Use Criticism to Your Advantage in the Writing Process
All writers are artists with individual processes. No two writers could write the same book, just as no two painters can paint the same picture. Art always comes down to personal taste; no piece of art will be universally beloved. For books, in particular, there is a greater time commitment in reading over other art forms.
Writing a book takes time—from writing to editing to publishing and beyond. At the end of this long process, it is natural to want everybody to love your writing. That is not always the case. Even beloved classics have haters. No matter how perfect you think your book is, there will always be someone who it does not work for.
Never let criticism you receive deter you from your passion for writing. Instead, use negative feedback to its utmost potential and let it strengthen your writing now and in the future.
Feedback from Friends and Family
As with all areas of your life, feedback from your friends and family should be some of the most valued. They should be the people who will tell you the truth. When they read your writing, they will naturally have opinions, including negative ones. Do not let any negative feedback get to your head. Instead, use their comments to strengthen your writing or finesse the themes in your work.
Learn how to balance your artistic integrity and criticism. That is a part of growing as an artist. If you cannot trust the opinions of those closest to you, you will be stifled. You are never going to be forced to change your writing style or content, but consider others’ opinions. Often, negative feedback is not intended to discourage you. It is designed to be constructive to your creative process.
Like all parts of the writing process, learning how to accept criticism is a skill. You can train this skill to become an integral part of your process. Do not underestimate the value of critical feedback, especially from those closest to you.
Unlocking New Perspectives
Another aspect of criticism is that it unlocks new perspectives on your writing. You may think that you know everything about your work. However, creative works often contain multitudes that go deeper than what is on the page.
For fiction stories, the plot of your book is only the beginning. You almost certainly know the plot beats of your story. However, there may be thematic components that you have not initially intended. Feedback on your work can guide your future writing to naturally lean into these elements. For nonfiction stories, reader feedback can shape what is missing. Your intention may not be clearly conveyed, so it is valuable to hear from an outsider. Art does not exist in a vacuum. Hearing others’ opinions on your work unlocks your full potential.
Criticism to Improve Writing
The publishing process is a time-consuming endeavor. You start with writing, go through rounds of editing, and design your book before it’s out in the world. If you plan on recording an audiobook, the process is even more involved. When you get feedback of any kind, that helps this process along. Your opinion gets the final say at all times, but hearing from others is a boost. Your finished product will be stronger when you have more perspectives on it.
Even receiving feedback on your published work can help your writing. Even though you likely will not change your published book, you can take those lessons forward. Using your criticism to hone your writing for future works will make your catalog stronger. If you are a writer with recurring themes or ideas in your writing, this is especially helpful. It allows you to adjust between books to make your themes clearer for the audience.
Gaining Insight Into the Entire Process
Any published author knows that the path to getting their book to the market was not easy. It often requires rounds and rounds of edits that scrutinizes every part of a text. That is tough for some people to stomach. When you get feedback, it gives you a wider picture of the entire publishing industry. Instead of only focusing on your writing, you can see what connects with diverse audiences.
Negative feedback does not make you a bad or worthless writer. On the contrary, it means you have potential to grow and become even more resonant for your readers. When you start writing, it can be easy to get lost in the weeds. Understanding the entire process from first draft to marketing can guide your writing in any genre.
