Comments on: Embrace Criticism, But Be True To Yourself https://booksbywomen.org/embrace-criticism-but-be-true-to-yourself-by-beverly-harvey/ Mon, 23 Jan 2017 23:08:13 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 By: Evie Gaughan https://booksbywomen.org/embrace-criticism-but-be-true-to-yourself-by-beverly-harvey/#comment-48300 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 23:08:13 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=17178#comment-48300 Great piece! It’s so important for writers to learn the difference between useful criticism that inspires you to work harder, and useless criticism that leaves you feeling creatively blocked. Some people have such a narrow view of the readership for women’s books, so good for you for going with your gut 😉

]]> By: Beverley Harvey https://booksbywomen.org/embrace-criticism-but-be-true-to-yourself-by-beverly-harvey/#comment-48288 Sat, 21 Jan 2017 10:42:36 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=17178#comment-48288 In reply to Karen.

Karen, so glad my words resonate with you; trust your instincts and keep going!

]]> By: Karen https://booksbywomen.org/embrace-criticism-but-be-true-to-yourself-by-beverly-harvey/#comment-48287 Sat, 21 Jan 2017 07:40:48 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=17178#comment-48287 I SO needed to read this today. Two days ago I received a brutal five page hatchet job on a rewrite. The first reviewer liked the premise, characters and dialogue but said the first act need changing to get to the story sooner – hence the rewrite. The second reviewer liked the premise and hated everything else, remarking that the premise was better than the execution and the writer missed the opportunity to effectively tell an exciting story.

I can take criticism usually but this felt above and beyond the call of duty. Reading your story reminded that there are always going to be people out there who hate what you do and those who will enjoy every word you write.

]]> By: Beverley Harvey https://booksbywomen.org/embrace-criticism-but-be-true-to-yourself-by-beverly-harvey/#comment-48232 Sat, 07 Jan 2017 20:13:43 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=17178#comment-48232 In reply to Natalia.

Hi Natalia – so glad you found this feature useful. It’s great to hear from kindred spirits who embrace character diversity in literature. Personally, I think ageism is unacceptable in any arena or art-form. Best wishes, Beverley

]]> By: Natalia https://booksbywomen.org/embrace-criticism-but-be-true-to-yourself-by-beverly-harvey/#comment-48218 Fri, 06 Jan 2017 16:39:41 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=17178#comment-48218 Love the title and sprit of this piece. Award-winning, break out novels break lots of rules. I just read and LOVED “A Man Called Ove” and often thought that this is exactly the kind of book critique partners and writing coaches would have criticized for a slow, even boring, opening, with an unlikeable (at the beginning) OLD (not in my opinion, but by book standards) character. Glad you found a way that delights *you* to bring *your* story into the world. I love stories with older (and old!) protagonists and characters.

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