How to wreck your writing career with critical feedback
Ever wonder why your writing stalls out? It’s not talent. It’s not time. It’s fear.
Consider some of the most common mistakes we make trying to avoid criticism and a few short prompts on how to break free.
The idea stage
Look to what's popular or marketable. Write that, instead of the weird thing you'd rather write. Mimic someone else's style and voice.
Lament how much time your big project will take. Decide you lack the talent or discipline. Choose the (supposedly) easier, shorter project to ensure success.
Imagine—already—someone trashing your creation in vivid detail. Then do some laundry, clean your desk, or tidy up your research.
Note: Thus far, all your feedback is imaginary.
The drafting stage
Torment yourself with unrealistic deadlines based on the writing schedule of bestselling authors. Continually fall short, but refuse to adjust. Or, keep experimenting to maintain a consistent level of chaos.
Show your work to friends and family who "don't get it" and don't like your genre. Replay their confusion, ambivalence and doubt until you're sure you're a hack who's wasting your time.
Get some feedback from industry professionals. Live off their words for years as proof of your potential. Keep polishing just one piece of work. Continue waiting for that agent who expressed mild interest two years ago to get back to you.
Note: The feedback you may have gotten isn't a good match or there's not enough of it to really count. Keep going!
The publishing stage
Skew glowing and rotten reviews. Minimize the praise. Discount the missing middle (they liked it well enough, then moved on). Mentally play the negative comments back on an endless loop.
Lie awake at night, crafting witty zingers to critics or earnest, insightful explanations for the choices you made. Stop writing completely.
Hide in the shadows. Become one of those elusive writers who "doesn't get online, or do social media," hoping your mystique deepens the perceived value of your work.
Note: When you feel good about what you've written, you can calmly consider or reject criticism and stay anchored within yourself.
As a writer, you’ll never be able to please everyone.
But you can please yourself by staying true to what you REALLY want to write.
