Making the Hard Choices

"Don't take it personally." When combined, these are perhaps the four harshest words in the English language. No one wants to hear them, yet we say them so often. Like some mythic emotional pacifier, we present this phrase. For those who use it, it provides a shield against retaliation. For those who hear it, it elicits the primal desire to seek solace in carnage. It is human nature to despise criticism. No one wants to be read a laundry list of their faults. Yet, only when our errors are brought to our attention can we begin to address them.

Criticism may hurt, but without it our skills will never improve. Imagine, if you will, that your grade four teacher never hounded you about your run-on sentences, or that your high school English teacher never docked marks for comma splices. If people never pointed out your errors, your writing would never have progressed as it has. Learning, however, never ends.

The English language is a complicated and convoluted set of rules. Grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, syntax… The deeper that you delve into language, the more you will discover. Words have both definitions and connotations. The rules of grammar are dependent upon circumstance and conditions. When it comes right down to it, writers must possess a clear understanding of the nuances and conventions of language; especially if they intend to break them. Readers who look at your work expect to see polished, grammatically correct text that, above all, makes sense. Audiences draw conclusions about artists (whether they are writers, actors, or sculptors) from their work. If your writing does not follow the rules of language, your readers will make unflattering inferences.

Criticism, no matter what form it may take, is an incredible tool. It alerts us to concerns that, obviously, we were unaware of. If we ever hope to grow and evolve as writers, we must be willing to challenge our works.

How we chose to cope with or ignore criticism can say a lot about us as writers. Are we shrugging off advice because we arrogantly believe that our writings do not need improvement? Do we ignore criticism because we, in our most insecure moments, hope that no one will discover what frauds we truly are? Or do we welcome comments only to sneer at the audacity? We have a choice. How we internalize criticism can have a huge impact on our writing. Are you willing to swallow your pride if it means that, in the end, you will become the best writer you possibly can?

Ask any editor; there is no such thing as a perfect writer. We all have our weaknesses, but we also have strengths. Not knowing when to use "to" or "too" does not make you a "bad writer." Not wanting to learn the difference, however, does. Recognizing our imperfections is the first step towards correcting them.

We all have a choice. Will we view criticism as a learning tool, or will we listen to it grudgingly only to deny moments later that it ever happened? The choices that we make can mean the difference between being offered a three book deal or writing for the condo newsletter.