The Mighty Pen Writing Club discussion

Have you ever had to deal with rejection or "destructive" criticism?

Personally, I'm not ready to send out manuscripts so I haven't had to deal with a lot of "rejection" yet :S

I've sent out manuscripts (no luck so far, taking a break, though here's to hoping eventually) so Amelia, feel free to message me when you're ready! (No matter when that is :) )

Um, rejection... I dance around my room to either Taylor Swift or Lady Gaga (they are my guilty pleasures. Usually I like classic rock!)

I LIKE CLASSIC ROCK TOO!

Haha, Amelia, I think we were meant to be Goodreads friends ;)

fo sho

I havent had rejection, because al i show people is generally just a first chapter or hook.
Though with negative criticism, i may be annoyed but I jsut go and fix it up.


y'know what i REALLY REALLY, SUPER HATE!
When people comment on your story, saying 'oh, i didnt like this because' or 'that is just odd'
when whatever it was is supposed to be just like that-and you think it sounds really good.
I hate that.

Do you know where im coming from?

Yeah I do!
But when I review books (on the other end of the spectrum, as a reader) there are a BUNCH of times when an author has something happen that just doesn't work for me... and then I get paranoid when I write, thinking "no one's gonna like this!" and I lose time

Booklover23 wrote: "I havent had rejection, because al i show people is generally just a first chapter or hook.
Though with negative criticism, i may be annoyed but I jsut go and fix it up.


y'know what i REALLY RE..."

that happens to me all the time and i'm like "thats the way its supposed to be!"

Booklover23 wrote: "I havent had rejection, because al i show people is generally just a first chapter or hook.
Though with negative criticism, i may be annoyed but I jsut go and fix it up.


y'know what i REALLY RE..."

I agree with you. I hate it when people just hate on your story. I understand constructive criticism but when reviewers just hate, I don't like it.

I had a reviewer in my fan fic a long time ago then he/she kept on saying "you shouldn't do this" or "I don't like this story". Well my story was just like that, it should happen like that! I talked to him/her, tried to settle things then the person apologized but stopped reviewing my story.

I don't get a whole lot of rejection thankfully, because I don't show ppl most of my work lol but if I do get an obnoxious comment I go and either edit or write a new chapter or story even just to show the person I can do better anyway

I usually show my chapters to friends (and strangely enough they all seem to love them which makes me doubt their judgement). I am pretty sure I'll get a few rejections after (when??) I finish the book (hope that happens) but I guess I'll just have money aside and buy tickets for a trip for a few days. Plus cry (just a little bit I promise) to you guys (I can only suppose that will be ok).
Plus i think I have extra reason worrying since i live in Greece and things are a tinsy winsy bit more complicated and all...

I don't desire to be published.

Well thats a first on here! Why not?

I don't know if I can handle it but I have to learn...my uncle is a literary critic and is working with me during this summer for a senior project....and that involves writing some creative work. I hope it's not a complete fail!!!

Catherine wrote: "Well thats a first on here! Why not?"

I love writing for fun. I don't care to see my work in stores or libraries.

Me neither. I mean, it's not about money. It's mostly about sharing my stories with others.

Alkyoni wrote: "Me neither. I mean, it's not about money. It's mostly about sharing my stories with others."

Yes! :)

Glad we agree! :)
It's too bad though that some writters don't get that. I mean the stretch and stretch a story (*cough* Sookie *cough*). Though that might be because they want to blend in a story too many things.
Still...

I don't read vampire books. But, I know that Sookie's story is long. I've heard or should I say read that Sookie is a visitor. I might have to explain what I mean by visitor.

Um, yes please....

I think the key is to learn the difference between feedback and criticism. If someone is telling you what problems they had with your story and can give you solid reasons for not liking/understanding/agreeing with the things that happen in your work, then even though it can be hard, sometimes those are problems we need to take to heart and take a good look at. Sometimes people react that way because there are plot holes or missing character motivation.

But if someone is just saying "I think you should do this" or "I wish that character would act more like that" or "I don't like your story" then thats the reader's personal preference and has no relevance to the quality of your work.

For the first situation, don't look at it as someone saying your story has problems, look at it as a stepping stone to make your work better. I've found a lot of times that my harshest critics are the people who really love my work. They can see the potential so they offer feedback hoping to see the improvement in your work.

As for the second type of feedback... well... to them I simply have to say "not everyone is going to like my stuff." So that one person didn't like it. There could be a million reasons for that, but usually it boils down to personal taste. And, chances are, the person saying they don't like your story is not a writer and truly has no idea what good writing is. You really can't please everyone.

In my history of posting work online, for all the negative feedback or flames I've received, I've usually gotten ten times the amount of positive feedback. Sometimes if something really hurtful is said that actually does get under my skin, I go back and read all the gushy reviews to reflate my ego lol. Plus, it just takes time. The more rejection you get, the easier it is to take it.

As far as agents/publishers rejections I was surprised that I was never bothered by it at all. I expected to be like Jillian said and that I'd end up weeping into my pillow and get fat on bonbons, but it was really easy. Most agents/publishers don't even take the time to read your work. It's simply a matter of what they are looking for. They all want something very specific and 19 times out of 20 your manuscript simply doesn't fit into their agenda. They don't personally attack you at all. It's simply a "thank you but we're not interested at this time" kind of thing. Half the time it's a form rejection letter. And how can anyone take that personally? Just remember JK Rowling was rejected by just about everyone in the business before someone finally gave her a chance. It's just part of the process.

thats really helpful! im going to remember all this :)

I never really get rejection. Mostly constructive criticism, but nothing like, "I hate it!" and stuff.