In an exercise
on one of the writer loops,
writers talked about
the silliest criticisms they had ever received.
What I found interesting was
the not-yet-published writers
mocked the crazy criticism.
They would say something like
“Clearly the judge didn’t know the difference
between short category contemporary romance
and long single title contemporary romance.”
The published writers
talked about the crazy criticism
AND mentioned what they learned from it.
They would add
“The judge’s comments
forced me to look
at the differences between
short category contemporary romance
and long single title contemporary romance’
This reaffirmed I was satisfying
the sub-genre’s requirements.”
Criticism is VERY difficult
to hear.
Try to get the most benefit
out of hearing it.
Even if the critic is wrong,
her stance will reaffirm your stance is right.