The Taboo Subject Authors Avoid but shouldn't

It’s a topic that triggers a skip in the heartbeats of authors everywhere. Few writers go unscathed. Newbies and seasoned bestselling writers experience it at some point. What is this dreaded unmentionable?
 
The bad review.
 
If you have ever spent a sleepless night ruminating over a 2-star review, read on.
 
The reality is poor reviews can be devastating. You don’t want to listen to those clichéd adages, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” and “It’s better to have a poor review than none at all.” After all, consistent bad reviews can prove the death knell of any book. But what of those periodic bashers who publicly eviscerate what you think of as your masterpiece?
 
Let’s say you launch your new fantasy book--you know, the one you spent two years of your life penning. Days later, someone pans it on Amazon or a reader’s blog. You want to crawl into a hole. You feel vulnerable, fearful, insecure and embarrassed. You begin to question yourself and your work. Were my beta readers, editor, friends, and family all afraid to tell me what they really thought? Is the work I thought was enjoyable, well-written, and perhaps even on par with successful books in my genre, actually awful? You quickly forget the terrific feedback you’ve already received.
 
This is where you need to pause and take note of the fork in the road that has materialized before you. Suddenly, you have a choice to make. The well-traveled path to the left is marked by the ubiquitous black-and-white U-turn sign. Take it to retreat, putting your writing on hold. The rocky path to the right is lined with orange traffic cones. You will scuff your shoes as you sidestep potholes in the road. Yet, if you persevere, you will arrive at the next town, amazingly named Success. 
 
The message? The danger in rejection does not stem from a bad review, the seemingly obvious culprit. Its true threat lies in your reaction.
 
But, how to push ahead when you’re stuck in that self-questioning mindset?
 
Here’s how:

• -Keep perspective if a bad review is floating in a sea of positive ones.
• -Remember that some reviews come with a hidden agenda, such as an editor or blogger hoping you’ll enlist his or her services.
• -Put the review aside in a dark corner and let your raw feelings heal before taking it out and looking it over. Then, when you’re ready, assess it as objectively as you can. Consider correcting errors you may have missed, and discard the ones that conflict with your personal style. Trust your artistic instincts.
• -If warranted, republish your updated manuscript for the next set of readers.

 
Forge ahead, continue learning, and above all, keep on writing. The world deserves to enjoy your next creative endeavor.