Everyone Has an Opinion

Our local writer’s chapter met this morning, and a very knowledgeable man spoke with us about the current publishing industry. I’m grateful for his advice and his willingness to share his expertise. But I have to be honest. Today I am tired of the weight of everyone else’s opinions. Even opinions that aren’t personal to my work feel like they are out there to question my competence because I’m part of a collective group of unpublished authors.

In this business, you can’t be a lone ranger. You have to hear other people’s feedback of your work. That’s the only way to get better. Many people’s opinions are backed by years of experience and insight. Even inexperienced readers will see things in your work that you can’t see yourself. You hear them out and apply what you learn from them. Then your work improves. You improve. 

But there comes a point when you simply need someone to appreciate you. I ask non-writing, non-editing friends to read my book from time to time just to make sure it’s enjoyable. I’m not trying to be a literary marvel. I only want to tell a story people enjoy and maybe learn from. My favorite reader was my mom (who sadly passed three years ago). When she read my book, she gushed with joy over it. I know, your mom is always biggest fan, right? But creative industries are filled with competitive people who can tend to downplay your beloved work-in-progress. And we all need the kindness of people who are really in our corner. (And honestly, writers become myopic if they only look to other writers for direction.) 

Whatever you’re involved in, be it writing or acting or turning wooden pens on a lathe, allow yourself to tune out the critics and remember why you started that thing in the first place. Then enjoy it with a friend.