There's nothing quite as devastating as a negative review on something you've written. No matter how long you've been writing, seeing a lonely one or two stars in the feedback is always a little dagger to the heart. However as challenging as negative reviews can be, they are an inevitable part of putting your work out into the world. To stop yourself going into a spiral of depression each time you come across negative feedback, it's important to learn to deal with it in a constructive and emotionally healthy way.
The first thing to remember is that negative reviews are not a reflection of your worth as a writer or a person. It's necessary to separate your identity from your work and keep that division front of mind. Even though it hurts on the first reading, stay calm while you read the review and remember that not every reader will connect with your writing (just as you do not connect with everything you read). Acknowledge that it's natural to have an emotional reaction when you first come across a negative review. Give yourself some time to process your feelings before saying or doing anything. Avoid reacting impulsively.
Once you've given yourself time to take it in, read the negative review carefully and try to extract any constructive criticism contained in the words. (This might take a few days to come to terms with). Sometimes, even in harsh reviews, there may be valuable feedback that can help you improve your writing. If there is constructive criticism, use it to refine your writing skills. Consider whether there are areas of your work that need improvement and what you can do to make these improvements. If you notice a consistent pattern in negative feedback (e.g., multiple readers pointing out the same issue), it may be worth addressing that aspect in your future writing.
The first thing to remember is that negative reviews are not a reflection of your worth as a writer or a person. It's necessary to separate your identity from your work and keep that division front of mind. Even though it hurts on the first reading, stay calm while you read the review and remember that not every reader will connect with your writing (just as you do not connect with everything you read). Acknowledge that it's natural to have an emotional reaction when you first come across a negative review. Give yourself some time to process your feelings before saying or doing anything. Avoid reacting impulsively.
Once you've given yourself time to take it in, read the negative review carefully and try to extract any constructive criticism contained in the words. (This might take a few days to come to terms with). Sometimes, even in harsh reviews, there may be valuable feedback that can help you improve your writing. If there is constructive criticism, use it to refine your writing skills. Consider whether there are areas of your work that need improvement and what you can do to make these improvements. If you notice a consistent pattern in negative feedback (e.g., multiple readers pointing out the same issue), it may be worth addressing that aspect in your future writing.
Keep in mind too that not all negative reviews are equally valid or well-informed. Some readers may have personal biases, unrealistic expectations, or different tastes that don't align with your target audience. Some reviewers just do it to be mean and there's nothing you can do about that. As we've come to see in the age of the keyboard warrior, many people use the anonymity of the internet to be overly critical and cruel, saying things they'd never say if they had to put their name to it.
Over time, you'll likely develop thicker skin and become better at handling negative reviews. Remember that even the most successful authors receive negative feedback and the world would be a boring place if everybody liked the same things. Developing a growth mindset, which involves seeing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than as failures, will dim the pain of every negative review.
It's important not to let negative reviews deter you from writing. Continue to create and share your work, even though you know it will not always be positively received. It is only by writing more that you will continue to improve and increase your chances of receiving positive feedback. Remind yourself of the positive reviews and feedback you've received and focus on that rather than the small percentage that are not favourable.
Ultimately, dealing with negative reviews is part of being a writer. It's important to maintain your motivation and continue pursuing your writing goals rather than allowing negative reviews to kill your confidence. Use negative feedback as a tool for growth and a reminder that not every reader will connect with your work, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about that.
Over time, you'll likely develop thicker skin and become better at handling negative reviews. Remember that even the most successful authors receive negative feedback and the world would be a boring place if everybody liked the same things. Developing a growth mindset, which involves seeing challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than as failures, will dim the pain of every negative review.
It's important not to let negative reviews deter you from writing. Continue to create and share your work, even though you know it will not always be positively received. It is only by writing more that you will continue to improve and increase your chances of receiving positive feedback. Remind yourself of the positive reviews and feedback you've received and focus on that rather than the small percentage that are not favourable.
Ultimately, dealing with negative reviews is part of being a writer. It's important to maintain your motivation and continue pursuing your writing goals rather than allowing negative reviews to kill your confidence. Use negative feedback as a tool for growth and a reminder that not every reader will connect with your work, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about that.
