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Negative Feedback Fighters for Authors
(and other people in the public eye)
People are entitled to give their opinions about your books. But, their opinions should never change the title of who you are as a person. Receiving negative feedback comes with the territory of being an author or anyone with a public message. If you have a hard time letting go of criticism, use the following four reminders to fight back against negative feedback.
1. "This person's negative comment does not define me."
Just because someone may not like your book doesn't mean that you're a bad person. Keep your identity rooted in the support of your family, friends, and God. If you allow yourself to be defined by your books, then you will automatically put yourself on an emotional roller-coaster that is damaging and unnecessary.
2. "I will only consider feedback from worthy sources."
You are never indebted to give other people your emotional or mental energy, especially when they don't deserve it or don't understand the full situation. Neither are you obligated to respond to anyone or defend your position. Choose to either ignore negative feedback, or firmly tell a repetitive critic to back off. Your peace and joy is too precious to be robbed by a frustrated person with a foolish agenda.
Only pay attention to feedback from people whom you trust and those professionals who've walked the path ahead of you. Most unsolicited feedback comes from people who've never actually written a book, studied your topic, or produced real results in their own life. They're just empty commentators who are jealous that you're in the actual game. Relish the excitement of creating a book that will last for generations. Few people are bold enough to ever take that risk.
3. "I can't control other people. They're entitled to their opinion."
Obsessing over negative reviews is unhealthy. People have a free will, and they're entitled to express their opinion. You can't control what people will say, and fretting over someone criticizing your book will only give you an ulcer. If you can't let go of unsubstantiated negative feedback, then seek the help of a professional counselor or stop writing books. Otherwise, you will allow yourself to be controlled like a puppet by people who don't care about you.
4. "I did my best on this book, and I'm not bound to make any guarantees to the reader."
Your readers may or may not like your book, and they can give their feedback based on ego, politics, emotion, or even whim. Therefore, you would be wise to adopt the following mindset as an author: "I write the best books that I can. There is no requirement that I have to be perfect. Thus, I will not let my ego get involved in whether or not a reader likes my book or gives me a favorable review. I will do my best, and then move on to the next task at hand."
It's never fun to receive negative feedback. But, it's even worse to let it stew in your mind and steal your peace. Use these feedback fighters as a line of defense to stay riveted on the main goal, which is using your gift of communicating in a way that provides value for other people to enjoy.
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