I saw a comment on Twitter recently.
“Grant me the serenity to not read the comments, the courage to not read the comments, and the wisdom to not read the comments.” (@aparnapkin)
At first I thought that it was a perfect statement of zen and peaceful mindfulness for writers, because after all, affirmation should come from within, not from sales stats or praise, (I find both exceedingly affirming, personally, even if it’s a single sale once a week) but then I realised that, for writing and for anything else, actually that sentiment doesn’t help me.
If I don’t read the comments on my writing, I’ll never know what I need to improve as a writer. Yes, some comments – there are always trolls – will be designed simply to hurt. But far more commentary will point me to something that I could do better. There’s always something to do better.
More generally, if I don’t read the comments about the world around me, I’m not participating. I’m not applying a writer’s eye to sift opinion from fact, good from bad, prejudice from fairness. If I don’t understand human nature and what drives it, then I can’t – not just won’t – be a good writer, because my characters will be flat: at best caricatures, at worst simply...boring. Their actions will be unrealistic, and their reasoning improbable.
I prefer the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. I can’t change the comments. I can improve my writing.

Death in Focus