As some already know, I don’t have a problem with my level of confidence as an author. Indeed, there are those who think I am full of myself (tall poppy syndrome) and who would like to give my ego a bit of a haircut. Those people might be shocked to learn that I spend a lot of time on self-reflection and criticism of my own work. I do this by comparing to successful works of others (published authors, famous authors in the genres that interest me), reading books of high quality (I’d rather read nothing than a badly written book, because it WILL drag me down), or watching shows adapted from famous stories.
Another way I seek to improve my writing is through comments I get from readers. Here, no comment is wrong or unwelcome, even those that upset me when I read them (ok, I did get pretty angry when someone accused me of having two parts to a story, in order to have a cliffhanger ending in part 1 – because I did not have such an ending, nor will I ever do that to my readers. Obviously, I don’t appreciate anyone making up crap that isn’t true). Here are some of the things I am interested in knowing:
1. did the subject matter appeal to them? Was the BDSM too hard core, or the sex scenes too explicit? Did they get upset because one of their favourite characters did something they found repulsive? These things are important
2. did they feel satisfied with the ending, or did they wish it ended differently?
3. do they want to read something else of mine, after reading one story / book?
4. would they recommend me to someone else?
Those are the basics. Now, here is something I do NOT appreciate – you will laugh, I’m sure – compliments that go slightly over the top. Since this is just a bit unrealistic, to my mind, and I fear some people do it just to become friends with me. What I am always at pains to point out is, you can be my friend AND be honest, and I’ll still appreciate you! In fact, I gain a lot from an honest friend who isn’t afraid to tell me when I’m being obnoxious, or when I’ve missed the mark with something in my writing. Bearing in mind, that is only their opinion, so I still have to weigh it against the opinions of others, and decide what action I need to take, if any.
As always, when thinking about my writing, I think as both an author and a reader. I reflect on stories I’ve read or seen (as adapted to the screen) and what pulled me in, versus what repelled me. I then try and apply what I’ve learned to my current or future stories, while making sure every idea I have is my own and entirely original (one of my main goals as an artist).
While it is lovely to get compliments, I am actually seeking to be ripped apart by those not afraid to criticize me, so I can learn from it. Rest assured, I am made to be ripped apart. Ha ha ha… nothing can stop me or steer me from my path, because the drive to create and to write, is bigger than me. I am nothing but a conduit for this beautiful stream of inspiration that keeps welling up inside me. To stop would be to cease existing… whereas, to be criticized is to gain a genuine insight into the reader’s mind. When we strip ourselves of our egos, what is left? For me, what is left is – the desire to keep creating and to improve, to the mutual benefit of myself and my readers, producing stories that just blow one’s mind…. or at least, the minds of many. Because we all know, you can’t please everyone, all the time.