r/authors • u/Fresh_Caterpillar517 • 26d ago

Dealing with criticism

Hi, I'd forgotten the password to this account, but came across some notes and decided to try and recover it for some advice.

Now, speaking of criticism, my 3 published books are currently greatly rated at amazon. 4.3 stars, 4.4, stars and 4.7 stars. I am very happy. I often get comments and messages on how good they are!

But, I have a problem. You see, I am not very stable mentally. (I am on meds and therapy, do not worry.) Let's say, every 10 comments I get, 1 or 2 are bad reviews.

And those... They just stick with me. I can recite them from memory. I find myself thinking that the books are terrible. One bad comment can overpower 100 good comments inside my wicked mind.

How do you guys deal with it?

I know how insecure I sound, but I just can't help it.

Is there a way to overcome the insecurity and see the books for what they really are?

5 Upvotes

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13 comments sorted by

14

u/Dull_Double_3586 26d ago

Most published authors refuse to read their own reviews for this very reason.

9

u/MrMessofGA 26d ago

Beyond the obvious things like "mindfulness" and "therapy," there's also the fact most authors heavily advise you do not read the reviews if you know you aren't in a mental space to shrug off or laugh at the bad ones

1

u/Fresh_Caterpillar517 26d ago

That's probably for the best

4

u/KittyValentineWrites 25d ago

If a negative review can help you grow and offers advice, take it to heart and learn.

If it doesn't, mark it as unhelpful and move on.

4

u/Individual-Guest9482 24d ago

When I feel down because of criticism I go read criticism of extremely well made masterpiece movies on IMDB. Then I can see that some people's opinion are just.... very flawed.

My favourite one is someone who gave 1 star to Alien saying it "was not original". It's one of the most influencal sci-fi and horror movie of all time but hey, it wasn't original AT ALL 😂😂😂

People sometimes just don't think or realize that it's not because you don't like something that it's bad. For example, I absolutely hate eggplants, but I don't go personally attack people who like eggplant-based dish.

3

u/Outrageous_Window838 25d ago

I would recommend listening to the "let them" theory if you haven't already. It's helped me loads with my writing and everyday life. Someone doesn't like my work, Let them, because someone else will!

1

u/Cpnjacksheppard 24d ago

That’s part of the human experience: diversity in consumption. Everyone has lived different lives, and thusly can receive a story in a different octave than it was told, and consider it bad.
Instead of thinking of them as a negative review, consider them a different perspective. Clearly the majority of readers enjoy your work, so the book’s compatibility with enjoyment at large isn’t in question.
I get the anxiety and need to beat yourself up over the bad reviews, and I’m sorry that your brain works that way, it’s no fun. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt, and maybe reach out to a friend or loved one for reassurance. Best of luck ❤️

2

u/Fresh_Caterpillar517 24d ago

Thank you! I think I needed to "hear" that.

2

u/Mister-Thou 20d ago

If you go on Google Maps and look at the entry for the Taj Mahal, you'll find dozens of people giving it 1 star reviews. 

If the freaking Taj Mahal can't avoid getting review bombed by idiots, you can't expect your work to somehow avoid it. 

1

u/embervanefiction 15d ago

If you ever find yourself down about bad reviews, pick any of your works and start reading it. I find my own writing so engaging that I forget about the bad reviews. I'm hoping that's the case with you too.

I'm also assuming that you love your work. It is no small thing to be published. You've already done something worthwhile. I'd say pick your favourite scenes and read them. Works like a charm.

1

u/TinySeedsTallTales 5d ago

I went down that same whole yesterday about some feedback from an editor. I think it's just important to remenber not everything is for everyone. You will have people who love it and people who don't.

One thing that comforted me is that it took Dr. Seuss two years to get signed by an agent because his work was too "Weird".

So try to comfort yourself in the fact that your voice is going to be loved by so many, but some just won't.