I know you’re not supposed to highlight negatives in your life. You don’t want the bullies to get attention. The haters to get the spotlight. But sometimes, you gotta call out the negatives so you can remind yourself of the positives. So. Here goes.

I got a negative review.

It’s an odd one, though. While the reviewer gave it three stars and complemented the book three times (1. It was well written; 2. “it had some funny parts”; and 3. They “liked it” (not loved it)) they ended their blurb with “Do not buy.”

Knife in the gut.

Not going to lie. That hurt. Hurt to read words about my precious baby that I labored over for years. That I cried over; sacrificed my time for; loved on.

But.

You cannot please everyone.

Of course, I’d rather be able to. Of course I’d rather everyone love my writing; praise me for my prose; for my plot lines. But that’s not realistic. Even the greats receive negative reviews. How then can I expect to escape them?

If anything, negative reviews tell me three things:

1. Someone I do not know read my book. Huzzah! S/he may not know this, but I actually treasure the fact that an anonymous reader took the time to finish reading my book AND review it. However negative.

2. There’s a realness to having both positive and negative reviews. It’s legit.

3. I (along with all other authors and artists) am brave enough to put my work out there, no matter the reaction. Boom.

There’s a part of me that wants to cry. To stop writing the sequel to The Missing Crimoire (what’s the point? This reviewer found my plot uninteresting!) But that means letting one voice win. I can’t let that one voice win. Therefore, I will brush myself off. Hold my head high. And write.

Because that’s what I was purposed to do.

It’s not easy, ignoring the negatives. But it’s an absolute must if you want to remain joyful and continue your art. Keep at it. You’re awesome. ​