“It’s good, but...”

I think, as a writer, opening up and allowing others to read your work is the bravest and hardest thing you can do.

I used to be so afraid to let people read my work because, to me, it was personal. Not the context, but the actual ideas.

And then, I did. And it was glorious. I remember the first time someone gave me a less than stellar critique...it resonated for days after; a continuous thought on loop. I kept asking, "what have I done wrong?" and "why were they so harsh?"

Then, it was hard because it was my first. Now, I've learned to take what is being said and incorporate it; find a positive and work with it. I realized that critique will come and you can't please everyone. The only thing you can do is learn and better your craft.

So, that's how I deal with it and I believe it makes me a better writer.