Avijah Scarbrough asked Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney:

Hi Cynthia! I loved your book. I found it very entertaining and I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I have 2 questions. How long did it take you to write the Nest from beginning to end? Also, I'd like to know how you deal with negative critiques and criticism in general, including random comments online. It seems like no one in the creative fields has immunity from criticism. It can be painful for anyone.

Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney Thank you, Avi. I'm glad you liked the book. It took me a little over two years to write the book. As for critiques and criticism, it's very easy: I don't read them. I don't read reviews (I've made a couple of exceptions when my husband or editor or agent pass one along that they think says something new and interesting) and I've never read online comments about the book here on Goodreads or Amazon or anywhere else. I am grateful to anyone who takes the time to post a comment, good or bad, and for the vibrant reading community here, but those are exchanges between readers/reviewers and potential readers of the book and I don't really have a place in that conversation. I love this Q&A feature because everyone who has come here to ask a question has been lovely and respectful. I critique myself pretty stringently, I don't need to add other voices to the harsh editor in my own head! Most writers I know, by the way, have similar policies: never read the comments!

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