The Reasons Why you wrote your book or books discussion

i had a new manuscript under consideration with a good publisher, which had sent it out for refereeing. got the referee's report today -- devastating! the referee suggested that i stop writing and find other work that i might be better at. she (i am pretty sure she was a she) also took the time to mention that reading my book had ruined her day, and probably would caste a shadow upon her week. with some distance, i guess it is rather funny. but i have been livid most of the morning. have any of you had a similar experience? i have had some critical reviews in the past, but this was murderous! i am wondering how others have dealt with harsh reviews. i need to reply to the publisher.

Anyone who tells someone who enjoys writing to give it up and do something else is not very intelligent. People should be encouraged to read and write, as despite the numerous books that come out each year, there are still millions of people who do not enjoy writing or reading. So people need to be encouraged, not discouraged from reading or writing. Additionally, if your writing was so awful as she suggested, why did it "ruin her day?" The fact that she was affected by your writing, would mean to me that, you actually are a good writer. If I read a book and the story gives me some type of emotional reaction - whether happy or sad - this would mean that the book's appeal is in the emotion reaction it gave me. This woman should give you some constructive criticism, and not tell you to give up writing if she really wanted to help you. If you wish to reply, you might ask the publisher in fact, "if I ruined your reader's day, I would like to know in what way did the content of my writing upset her, so I can build more on that strength?" Good luck to you; don't let anyone discourage you.

she just sound rude and unprofessional - ignore her and keep right on writing