I now publish
exclusively under pen names.
Why?
Because it is MUCH easier
to take criticism
(and hate mail)
calmly, rationally
when it is directed
at my pen name
and not directly
at me.
I tell myself that
the criticism doesn’t have
anything to do
with me.
It refers to X,
that dang writer of Y romance.
X is an entirely different personality.
I would do something similar
when I was working
the business gigs.
That kick a$$ business gal
was Business Me.
She wasn’t Me.
Seth Godin
shares
“When I say
I don’t like your idea,
I’m not saying that
I don’t like you.
And if we’ve been persuaded
by marketers and politicians
that everything we do
and say
is our identity,
then it gets very difficult
to learn,
to accept useful feedback
and
to change.”
You are not your business.
Criticism of your business
isn’t criticism of you.
And you are not
the role you were ‘playing’
when you were criticized.
That’s merely one facet of you.
Work you isn’t the full you.