DIGITAL MEDIA GHOST
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About
Search

Constructive vs. Destructive Criticism

9/6/2016

0 Comments

 
 by Will Viharo

​This coming January I will be in Costa Rica – yes, the one in Latin America – conducting creative writing workshops at a remote writer’s retreat.
 
Though I’ve presented a few symposiums on various topics, this will be my first interactive teaching experience. I am looking forward to it. It’s a great privilege and rare opportunity, even though I generally hate leaving my house, much less the country.
 
I already know I will be the most empathetic instructor in the world. Here’s why…


Whenever your work is critiqued, keep an open mind, but protect your heart. ⤺ Tweet This!

​I was invited to be a guest of honor at this premiereWriter’s Retreat of San Buenas by  Ezekiel Tyrus, author of one of my favorite novels of recent years, Eli, Ely, and the forthcoming follow-up My Dirty Books, which I’ve read and likewise vouch for.
 
While I’m quite flattered, I also feel ready to take on the challenge. The only part about it that bothers me is the actual traveling. The rest of it will be relatively simple, and fun. 
 
The reason for this is I am a writer myself, and have been for most of my life. While I consider myself a professional, I have no formal education. I’m essentially self-taught. The curriculum won't be of an academic nature. And it’s not meant to be.
 
Zeke and I discussed the overall objective of the workshops, and agreed they should be focused on inspiration, not promotion. That comes much later. Right now, it's all about getting in touch with one’s unique sense of self, and finding a way to express that to the world in ways that are relatable, possibly commercial, but always honest.
 
This isn’t as easy as it seems. Take it from me. Though truthfully, I’m one of those people that have a hard time shutting up about themselves, even the private stuff. My life is the main source of material for my books, filtered through my various pop culture obsessions. It is literally an open book.
 
But that’s just me. My goal in Costa Rica (other than not to sweat to death) is to help these aspiring authors reach within and discover their own angels and demons, and then mate them with whatever muse best suits their sensibilities.
 
For many, the tropical flora and fauna of Costa Rica, along with its villages and beaches, will provide inspiration in and of themselves. A writer’s physical environment is always essential to the artistic process, I believe.
 
But things like emotional authenticity and conveying universal experiences via a personalized prism require a lot of hard work, both as a writer, and as a person.

Respect Yourself
 
Providing a positive atmosphere is crucial to maintaining a positive attitude. People respond more productively to kindness than hostility. It's human nature. The key is to encourage experimentation, and not allow disappointment to turn into discouragement.

A workshop should be an informal, casual laboratory, not a torture dungeon. Assignments are more appreciated, and ultimately more effective, when they are treated as exercises, not necessarily “tests.” One's limitations should be challenged, but not one's determination.

From my perspective, the student should be made to feel proud of his or her achievements, however modest, not to wallow in their perceived failures. If I had given into my own insecurities or heeded naysaying voices, I’d have quit a long time ago. And then I wouldn’t be going to Costa Rica. (Though I will miss Seattle, but only for a week).
 
While informed critiques can be very useful and are often necessary in the development of talent, they should never be condescending. It doesn’t matter whether the comments are coming from a professor, a reviewer, an agent, an editor, a publisher. If their words aren’t meant to help, they’re only going to hurt.
 
There’s no need for that, ever.
 
Cruel To Be Kind?

When absorbing criticism of your work, consider the source, and if you trust it, take it to heart, but if down deep you disagree with it, or have doubts about the sincerity of the critic, simply disregard it. Follow your own instincts first and foremost, but never let your own pride or ego bog down your progress.
 
If you’re wrong, or if you just plain suck, you’ll find out soon enough. Your audience will let you know. After a while, your own creative conscience will keep you in line too, if you let it. It all depends on your agenda.
 
Of course, you can circumvent the risk of alienating readers with amateurish work by following the advice of others, if it is coming from someone that is not only more experienced than you are, but has your best interests in mind.
 
Authors with more experience doesn’t mean they’re more talented, just like being older doesn't automatically make one wiser. It just means they’ve polished and honed their own skills, and are simply passing that knowledge on to you, ideally free of charge. This is a good thing. You should take advantage of it if you want to improve your own chances of success by fully realizing your own potential.
 
If you’re taking a formal course and are concerned with your grade, as you should be, you will probably want to acquiesce to the learned wisdom of your teacher, at least for the sake of your academic career. But if your teacher berates you, either publicly or privately, my advice frankly would be to walk out of the classroom, and not look back. No price is worth the sacrifice of your dignity as a human being.

The same goes for online trolls trying to boost their own self-esteem by destroying yours. Your best defense is not to engage them at all, but to totally ignore them. Unless you live in an oppressive regime, the only power people have over you is the power you give them. Deny them that satisfaction, and they will quickly run out of fuel for their unfriendly fire. 
 
Self-respect is something that has to be earned, just like any type of respect. But once you have it, you'll realize its worth going forward. It's one of the most potent pieces of an author’s armor, especially in the indie industry.

Respect Yourself

Confidence and arrogance are not the same things, either. Your writing career, like life itself, is a continuous learning experience. Keep an open mind, but protect your heart.
 
Criticism from others is an important part of this education. Cruelty is not.
 
There is never any excuse for anyone boasting professional credentials to belittle anyone else, especially if it's a veteran author tutoring an ambitious protégé.
 
History is filled with examples of classic literature (and movies, art, music, etc.) that was initially dissed or altogether dismissed by critics and self-proclaimed “experts” at the time of its release, only to be vindicated by the ultimate authority on the subject: time itself.
 
So if you get a one star review on Amazon, or an agent responds to your query suggesting you don’t have what it takes to make it, or your creative writing instructor gives your latest paper a failing grade, take it in stride, chalk it up to experience, and move on.
 
But even if it momentarily trips you up, which is a perfectly natural reaction, don’t let it cripple your spirit. I know. I’ve had my spirits crushed more times than I can count, in a wide variety of ways, and I'm still picking up the pieces, some of which I'll never recover. And I’m okay with that. But the point is, I'm still standing. Well, sitting at the moment, but typing these words. And getting paid for them.
 
The wisest among us will always listen and learn, but that doesn’t always mean every piece of advice should be heeded, especially if it comes with an insult. That type of negativity says a lot more about the critic than it does about you.

PHOTO: RAMONA FORCELLA

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Become a Ghostwriter!
    Picture
    Contribute to DMG
    Picture
    BECOME A GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
    Picture
    PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS BY GUEST POSTING
    Picture
    ARE YOU A GHOSTWRITER? WE WANT TO KNOW!
    Picture
    DO YOU HAVE A GHOSTWRITING BUSINESS?

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Agency Spotlight
    Business
    Digital Marketing
    Ghost In A Flash
    Ghostwriting
    Media Relations
    Privacy Concerns
    Social Sabotage
    Technology
    Writer Spotlight
    Writing

    Advertising Disclaimer

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

Find your domain and create your site at Weebly.com!
Digital Media Strategy
Content Marketing
Law Firm Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Social Media Marketing
eBooks
Writing
Becoming a Ghostwriter
Blogging
Content Marketing
Ghostwriting Services
Guest Post Guidelines
Media Relations
Online Crisis Management
Personal Brand
Public Relations
Reputation Management
About
Our Team
Our Results
Testimonials
Contact Us
Locations:
New Orleans, LA
Nashville, TN

DMG University
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Cookie Policy
Digital Media Ghost  @2020
  • Publication
  • #GhostsWriteIt Spotlight
    • Writer Spotlight Submission
  • Services
    • Digital Strategy
      • Content Marketing
      • Law Firm Marketing
      • Social Media Management
    • Ghostwriting
    • Public Relations
      • Social Sabotage & Online Privacy
        • Social Media Policy Template
  • About