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Writing is a job (or hobby) that is always open to criticism but that doesn't have to be a negative trait.

Open any newspaper and you'll find comments on the success stories such as JK Rowling, and many of the comments won't be positive. Despite that, there is no doubt that her writing has gone down well with its audience.

As a writer it is important to be open to criticism and see the merits in feedback, to be strong enough to weather the bad responses and confident enough to accept that with help you can improve your writing.

When your writing is criticised it can feel like an attack, but remember that most reviewers will understand this, and that if you ask for feedback from a friend or from people you value then they will try to pull their punches and offer positive feedback as well as negative. Sometimes, this may go to the opposite extreme and you might find that in an effort to be encouraging somebody will tell you there's nothing wrong with your work.

Find a balance. There's almost always some room for improvement and everybody's opinion is different. When somebody takes the time to review your writing, thank them for it regardless of what they have written, then take a deep breath and dive in to the comments they've made. Bear in mind that you spent longer with your work then they did, and you're more familiar with it. This might have made you blind to some errors, or may have given you a poor impression of how strongly you've made your points - just because you spent an hour finding the right phrase you can't expect the reader to notice that particular paragraph above all others. Also remember the point about opinions - writing is very personal, as is reading. If you disagree with a point somebody makes be very careful to weigh it up as objectively as you can, and then, if you still feel it is wrong, discard it and do nothing.

As the writer, you are in charge of what you create. Guidance can help massively, but it can never be an instruction list, only a guide. If there was a perfect recipe for an article or a book then everyone would follow it and there would be a severe lack of variety. However, if you're finding a number of reviewers are all "wrong" then perhaps it's time to reconsider the odds. If none of your readers understand your intentions then something does need addressing.

Bear in mind the fact that your writing is your product, it is not you. If somebody attacks your words it doesn't mean they think little of you. You can manipulate your writing repeatedly and the more criticism you take on board, the more you can improve your next work. Try not to see insults, try to see building blocks for future work. By asking for feedback you are laying down the foundations for becoming a better writer. Ask a range of people for a well rounded range of opinions.

If your criticism comes from somewhere you were trying to make a sale it can be particularly important to consider whether it is something you can work with to improve your piece. Sometimes it might be that your target was not the right market for it, but often you might find that fixing perceived errors, if not on that particular work but in your future submissions, might be the key to success.

Never forget, if someone is telling you what they think of your work, it means they've paid it enough attention to know. Even if they have a list of things they think you ought to mend, be grateful. They read your work and paid it attention, and as a writer that is the greatest gift you can receive. Stand strong in the face of criticism, work hard to improve, and try not to fear reviews. In the end it's only knowing how well you're doing and in what areas you need to improve that will help you grow and become the best you can be.

Learn more about this author, Max Lehmann.
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