Rising

Wounded

I am wounded.

Pierced by words

That impale, sharp as glass.

Fractured

My confidence is factured.

Struck by phrases

That strike, hard as a hammer

Rise.

I will rise.

A Phoenix

Still smoldering and covered

In my own ashes of defeat

I will

Rise.

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Writing Tip: Responding to Criticism

Have you ever experienced that soul-crushing moment when you pour your heart out into prose and some one, usually an ambiguous someone, turns around and criticizes everything you’ve done? Often with more insult than advice?

Well then, congratulations, you’re a writer!

And if you hope to continue along in your journey as a writer, you are bound to have this experience again and again.

And again.

I know, that is not exactly reassuring, but don’t worry, there is good news coming! We have to first ask, why is criticism so common? Are we really that bad at writing? (Well, a writing group might not hurt . . .) But really, the reason behind most criticism is the fact that writing is subjective. 

Yes, there are general rules that all writers must observe. And yes, writers should present their best version of themselves in their writing. However, on a whole, writing is subjective. That is the only way to explain why some people absolutely HATE Harry Potter while the rest of the world loves it. It also helps explain why one of my readers loved my book while the other did not care for it at all.

Writing is Subjective.

Everyone has different tastes. For instance, I will never like horror novels, never, they are not my thing. So while I might hate that type of book, it does not make it a bad book to everyone.

Before you decide to submit your work, you need to prepare yourself for feedback both positive and negative. THERE WILL BE BOTH.

Here are a few ways that you can and should respond to criticism:

• First, you need to anticipate a mixed review. Maybe the book is perfect in your eyes, but your readers will be seeing it differently, so allow yourself to acknowledge mixed reviews.
• Next, you need to read through a shield. What does that mean? If someone is being overly-critical, read through their comments, ignore the rude insults, and cherry-pick out whatever can actually be constructive. Usually there is at least one suggestive that you can work on.
• Finally, after picking out what you can work on, forget the rest! Don’t spend days wallowing over the negative feedback and don’t allow it to corrode your writing!

 

Have you faced rejection or negative feedback?

How did you respond to it?

Happy Writing Everyone!

©KaylaAnnAuthor

© KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to KaylaAnn and KaylaAnnAuthor.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Publisher Response to The Agency Games

Hey Guys,

So last Wednesday I received the long-awaited email back from the editors. In May, they sent out my manuscript to two scholarly peer reviewers who then read and returned my manuscript with their feedback. The editors in turn reviewed their comments and reached out to me with their feedback (lots of feedback.) And, the results were mixed, leaving me a lot like this . . .

One of the peer reviews absolutely LOVED my book and while they offered me some critiques on how to improve it, overall, they were quite happy with the manuscript.

The other peer reviewer did not like my book, at all, and offered more criticism than critique.

So, where does that leave me and my book, The Agency Games?

Back at the keyboard!

Yup, criticism hurts, (A LOT) but ultimately, I am going to use it to improve both this book and my overall writing abilities. The editors have offered me a chance to revise and rewrite according to some of the critiques before they send it out to a third peer reviewer who will be a “tie-breaker” of sorts. I believe that this will (unfortunately) push back the publishing date, but I am determined to push forward. Hopefully this delay will ultimately be worth the improvement.

While this certainly did cause my confidence to take a pretty nasty blow, I am lucky to be surrounded by family and friends who encourage me that even J.K. Rowling was rejected numerous times.

Not everyone will love your work, but that does not mean that you stop writing. 

Did you know that even after J.K. Rowling was made a billionaire due to her Harry Potter series and considered one of the most accomplished authors in the world, she was rejected by a publishing house in 2013. Publishing under a pen name, J.K. Rowling was rejected and told that “a writers’ group or writing course may help” Galbraith (penname) to get constructive criticism of his debut crime novel.” (You can read the whole article here!)

I am grateful for the positive critique that I received, and while I did not necessary expect some of the criticism, I am going to use every comment to improve my work and reach my goal!

Happy Writing Everyone!

Have you been rejected? What was your response?

Would you like FREE criticism on your POETRY?

Hello Everyone!

The poetry contest was an absolute success and I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you to everyone who participated, your wonderful poems were read with extreme pleasure.

As a professor of English, a book-enthusiast, and a closet-poet, I could not help but wish to offer constructive criticism on the poems as a thank you to many of the poetry contest participants!

However, it is up to YOU if you would like to hear it.

Therefore, if you so desire (unlike Dan up there), I am offering a FREE critique/response to your single poem that you submitted to the contest if you so desire. At this time, I am only offering feedback on poems that were previously submitted to contest. There are only a few rules.

1. Please be aware that even if I LOVED your poem, I am offering constructive criticism which may include suggesting that you change your poem
2. If you are desiring such a critique, please comment below with the link to the poem you chose so that I can easily access it. Also, please provide an email for me to contact you with the critique.
3. After I have given you my critique, please RE-POST your poem, how you improved it, why you made the changes (or did not make the changes) I suggested and link back to my blog.
4. Now of course, I cannot force you to do this as I will have already given you my input so I’m kind of going off an honor system here and hope that if you find the free critique helpful in any way that you will return the favor by reposting and linking back to my blog.
5. Also, due to time constraints I am only guaranteeing to critique the first 20 poems posted in the comments below, but I will note if I am able to do more at a later date.

 

If you are interested please comment below with your poem.

Also, because of the expected high demand, please be aware that I will be going in order of who comment first and am only guaranteeing to critique the first 20 poems posted in the comments below. It may take me several days to return your poem with comments.

I will note if I am able to do more at a later date.

If you have any questions, please ask!

 

Happy Writing Everyone!