Thursdays - Devotions for Writers"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?
Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men,
I would not be a servant of Christ." (Gal 1:10 NIV)
How do you handle criticism pertaining to your work?
I’m used to receiving constructive feedback from my critique group. I ask for it and I trust them to be honest. I also trust them to not be hurtful. My work has never been trashed by readers, but this past week I experienced criticism that was not only painful, it didn’t feel fair.
I work for a national telecommunications company in a departments that deals with customer accounts. I look at payments, numbers, and uninteresting stuff (to a creative person) all day. But when it became known that I write, I was asked to create a quarterly newsletter for the department of 90 people. This is an ongoing, out-of-the box kind of project. Four people stepped up to help me, offering their time and wonderful gifts.
The first issue recently came out and received rave reviews from managers, supervisors, and even a top executive. They loved the variety of business, fun, and personal topics. We were flying high.
Then we sent out a survey – to be answered anonymously by the department. Most comments were very positive, but constructive feedback was also given.
However, comments left by one person cut. They weren’t constructive, but felt mean and spiteful. A personal attack. “Poor editing.” The comment was left without explanation, as well as additional words slamming every aspect of the publication.
My assistant editor and I wracked our brains throughout the day wondering if we had an enemy in the department who wanted to make sure our egos were kept in check. Someone who was envious of the project? A coworker who was having a bad day and just needed to take it out on someone?
Or did this individual’s comments have merit?
I pulled myself back, remembering several multi-published and award-winning authors who had received scathing letters from readers who didn’t like their books.
Hmmmmmm . . . I guess I’m in good company.
And criticism is a part of the publishing business. I better get used to it.
But more than that . . . I need to remember that my job is to please God, not man.
I encourage you to keep that knowledge tucked away in you heart. Because if it hasn’t happened yet, it will. You’ll read hurtful comments that will make you question your ability to write anything. Even your grocery list.
God’s approval or man’s?
We all make that decision.
Dawn
