Negative Reviews

[WriteYourHeartOut]

It happens to most of us, if not all. Sometimes a review comes along that is detailed and helpful and... well, not exactly thrilled with what you've written. It isn't mean, though. It isn't snotty or rude or without good intention, even, but still... it can bring you down. Of course, sometimes it can actually be just the spark you needed to go back and make improvements you've been meaning to handle for awhile now. Whatever the case, how do you deal with these types of reviews? How do you respond to them? How do get past them if they've made you feel a bit low?

 

Let us know below!

 

Please keep in mind that by Negative Reviews, I do not mean Flames.

[ImaRavenclaw]

I don't really get a lot of negative reviews, but when I do I am kind of in a low. I take note about what the person said, and remind myself to fix everything I think needs fixing later, but for now I'll make myself a bit happier again. I like to look at all the past reviews people have left me, and see how nice people have been. Sometimes I'll look at some stunning graphics by the people at TDA (because they seem to make me feel better). Or I'll have a quick pm with one of my awesome TDA/HPFF/HPFT friends, nothing about the review but just chatting.

 

When it's less of an internet day for me I'll watch a TV show, work (as boring as it seems sometimes it helps), or read. Anything to get me back into a high.

 

When I feel a bit better, I go to the notes about what the person said, I read through the story they reviewed, and I try to fix some things they pointed out.

[banshee]

ughghghhhh!!!! Do you know how annoying it is to routinely check this story but to only be disappointed each time by the lack of update?!

Please post the new chapter soon!!!

 

:-\ I wouldn't go so far as to call this a flame, but I just found this super rude gem in my ao3 inbox. I get it, it's sad to go back to a story and see it not updated, but don't be so rude?

[firewhiskey_ginger]

It's tough to receive negative reviews, and I try to keep an open mind about their suggestions (if the tone is clearly them offering constructive criticism, rather than yelling at a stranger on the internet because they've had a bad day.)  And they definitely do make me second-guess myself as a writer sometimes.  But!  I try to remember that, while it's important to be open to feedback, it's your story and ultimately you are the one who decides what to write.  I'll keep their suggestions in mind for the future, but I don't change something just because somebody said they don't like it or find it unbelievable.

Illegitimi non carborundum ;)

[DanyFire]

When I get a negative review, I just shut down my creative part of my brain for a while. I get so low that I feel like I don't wanna write. But then I talk to some of you guys and I start writing again. I think the encouragement I get from my fellow writers helps me get through the bad review(s). I guess I have a unique way of dealing with it.

[toomanycurls]

When I get reviews that bring me down, I talk it out with people who like the story in question. Partly because I want to hear from a friend and part of to get feedback from someone who gets the story. I had someone who just didn't get the nuances of the relationships in True Romance and hated my characters.  I think sometimes it's good to realize your stories won't strike everyone the same way and that's okay.