Often writers can be divided into two different kinds – those who react positively to criticism, and those that don’t.

Some years ago, I belonged to a Writers Club. Members would read their work out loud, and be given feedback.

I noticed that most  people took criticism personally, to the extent that they defended their work and argued back. What they didn’t do was to think about what was being said and decide if any of it was useful or valid.  

The first time I read one of my short stories to the group, it was pulled to pieces. That hurt, in fact it made me cry (on the way home, though, not at the group). I almost decided not to go back, after all, what did they know? My story was good, wasn’t it?

The fact is, it wasn’t very good. I was still very much a beginner. Luckily, I went back to the club, and decided to listen to any criticism my work received. When I wasn’t sure what was meant I asked, polite, questions. That way, I slowly learned how to improve.

The next time your work is criticised, try not go get defensive. By doing that, you run the risk of missing something useful. Try listening  instead. Even if you  KNOW the person is talking nonsense,  the next thing they say may be extremely pertinent. You won’t get to hear that comment if you have upset them by arguing.

I soon realised that Club members  who took the defensive line rarely rewrote their work, or changed it in any way and more often than not, they remained unpublished.

Others who listened with an open mind, then rewrote their work accordingly, gradually improved and as a result, they began to get the occasional acceptance amongst the rejection slips.