Ok, I have a little confession — I have a stick wedged up my arse. I’m not the only writer to reach this challenging to reach conclusion. Talk in my writing group often swings back around to self-censorship.
Self Censorship
Not wanting to offend is a real handicap for those of us who are decent human beings. Negativity, trolls, and cancel culture, oh my. Welcome to the social media age.
A hundred years ago, when social media was an infant, the environment felt freer. People didn’t bother responding to opinions they didn’t adhere to. As my friend says, “Taking offense is a choice”. In the 2020s, if I reposted diary-type entries I wrote back then, my head would roll… Or would it? Are trolls in great numbers or are they the bogeyman to keep writers afraid between their worded sheets and silenced? There have always been arseholes. I went to high school. Whatever happened to the fine art of telling these rays of sunshine to “fuck off”? Worked like a charm back in the day.
I’m not suggesting one should deliberately go out of their way to advertise their strong polarising views in a thoughtless manner. That’s feeding trolls. However, the online realm demands some will be a shitty kitty, no matter what you say. Writers need to toughen their hides if they want to build a writing career. Easier said than done.
Negative Story Feedback
At least twice in person, I have shared a story, and the response was “Shit, just shit”. Rude, just rude! The first time the writing buddy backtracked and claimed “It’s just that you write great stories every week”. Honestly, it was a shit story. Thanks for pointing the fact out bluntly. The flash fiction had four or five points of view and the twist was they were alters belonging to the protagonist who suffered from multiple personalities (dissociative identity disorder). The concept is sound, but the scope was too big for a 1000 word story.
The second time someone to my face told me my script was shit. I was at film school and one of the assignments was writing up someone else’s script pitch. The pitcher provided no feedback on my script except “shit” — I shit you not. I gave a deadpan response, “Ok, how would you have written it?” The dude shrugged. “I don’t know. Not like that.” Ok, not helpful, dickhead. “Shit” or even the more polite “don’t like it” is not constructive criticism. Not worth my energy. Not worth any writer’s energy.
How to Handle Negative Story Feedback
Both times when I was told my story was “shit” I refused to take the sentiments personally. I won’t lie. I didn’t leave with hunky-dory feelings. But I didn’t cry into my coffee either. It helps to share stories with the understanding no writing is perfect and everything is open for improvement.
Consider the intention of the feedback. Some people are just blunt or rude by nature. That’s on them. In my experience, people are generally kind. The key is to remember the feedback is for one story, not your ability as a writer. Ask yourself the question does the feedback offer constructive criticism? If not, the opinion is not worth your consideration. Constructive criticism can sting a bit from time to time but is required to grow into a better writer. Often the more a reader criticises, the more they engaged with the story and that’s a good thing. It’s an oxymoron or just moronic, I know.
Some stories will flop with readers, but most readers are considerate and their feedback is honest and encouraging. Some of my stories have caused reader arguments because what is a fault for one reader is a strength for another. Cling to the positives and believe in yourself. I’m fortunate (unfortunate) to be thousands of dollars in student debt for the privilege of knowing I write at a professional level… but that doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous. Even on this post, I am wasting too much time editing… er… procrastinating.
My point is, it helps if you know your skill level. Think of writing as a sport. No beginner will earn an elite gold. Even Stephen King was rejected. Make sure you’re always working on the craft of writing. Be an active reader and consume stories (read more here). Join groups or take classes. Both build confidence if you understand you have a lot to learn and are willing to improve. I’ve seen many beginner writers crushed because they believe their work is flawless. No work is flawless.
So why is this stick up my arse?
To start, I am human and social media can be brutal. We’ve all seen the odd troll craving attention. There is also the crap trap they feed us under the guise of “being professional”. For the most part, I have toned down my language, not wanting to offend. Not wanting to piss off algorithms with my potty mouth. The same algorithms are designed to piss me off. Oh, the irony.
Takeaway
Try to please everyone and end up pleasing none. With the growth of AI, I predict readers will crave stories with a personality. And that’s a wonderful belief. In truth, I’m getting bored with the self-censorship. The jailing of The Muse is a killjoy. Pretending to be something I’m not hoping to be liked is a yawn. For writers wanting a career, it’s all about the likes. High school all over again. A popularity contest. I didn’t conform then, so why am I conforming now? — fuck em. This is me.
Would it be hypocritical to ask you, the reader, to like, comment and follow me? Oh, God, don’t beg Tannille…
~*~
THE WRITING ASYLUM 
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