Latest / The Daily Writer / This Isn't for Thin-Skinned Writers

Transcript

This Isn't for Thin-Skinned Writers · The Daily Writer

• 0:07
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Daily Writer, where we share a lesson each day to help you cultivate the habits for creative success.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: These lessons are inspired by great artists, authors, and thinkers, both past and present.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: For more, you can visit us at dailywriterlife.com.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: Do you remember what it feels like to be criticized for your writing?
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: Different memories come flooding back for different people.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it was in junior high when a teacher pointed out all your mistakes on a paper.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it was in college when you submitted an essay to a contest and you didn't even place.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it was more recently, when you published a blog post or you wrote a social media post that somebody really didn't like, and they let you know about it in no uncertain terms.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: Those memories can be painful because it feels like people are criticizing us directly.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: They're questioning our personal worth and they're stomping on our creative identity.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: Don't they know how important this work is to you?
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: Why don't they understand that when they criticize your work, they're taking away a little bit of your heart?
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: Well, that's precisely the problem.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: We're usually far too close to our work to be objective about it.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: What's more, the criticism often says more about the person doing the criticizing than it ever does about you.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: Harper Lee, who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, knew a thing or two about dealing with critics.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: You don't write one of the most popular books of the twentieth century without getting your fair share of criticism.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: She once said this I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent, he would be wise to develop a thick hide.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: But how do we do this?
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: How do we develop a thick skin when so much of our writing and creative work feels so personal?
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: Well, the answer is pretty simple.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: We must approach our writing like any professional approaches their work.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: The plumber, the contractor, the dentist, the attorney, the teacher.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: They all show up on time, they put in the work, and then they let it go.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: When something isn't right, they try not to take it personally, but instead look for ways to get better at their job.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: Most important of all, they separate their personal identity from their work.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: There's an important lesson here for every writer.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: You are not your work.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: You produce your work, but your personal worth and identity are not tied to your work.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: So the next time you publish your writing, wherever that might be, remember that this is not a job for thin-skinned writers.
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_00: You'll have your critics, you'll have your haters, and when you do, remember that you are separate from the work.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: And if you keep that perspective, your mental health and your inner sense of security will be a lot better.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks so much for listening to the Daily Writer Podcast.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: We really appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed this episode.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: You can find more at dailywriterlife.com.