The Power of Protecting Your Peace

Let’s face it—the life of a creative is a constant rollercoaster. Some days, you’re floating on cloud nine, invincible. Other days? You’re one bad critique away from pitching yourself off a cliff. And on the worst days, you’re ready to toss someone else off that cliff.

Let’s be real. It’s brutal to rip open your soul and offer it up for public consumption. And that’s before the critics even stroll in. Once they arrive, it’s a whole new level of madness.

As a writer, you’re going to encounter critics—each with their unique brand of feedback. In my experience, they fall into three categories: the helpful sage, the dramatic grandstander, and the belligerent troll.

Let’s break it down so you can navigate the circus.

1. The Helpful Sage

This is the critic we all dream about. The helpful sage is balanced and thoughtful, and their feedback feels like an invitation to grow, not an attack on your existence. They’ll point out both your strengths and the weak spots in your work without stomping all over your vision. They want you to improve, and their advice is constructive, not condescending.

How to handle them: Soak up every bit of their feedback. Even if it stings a little, the helpful sage is a gem, guiding you to level up your writing. Thank them. Seriously. They’re the ones who are rooting for you, even if their words cut a little deep.

2. The Dramatic Grandstander

Ah, the dramatic grandstander. This one thrives on theatrics. They’ll tear into your work like it personally offended them, all while drumming up a scene. Their critiques are usually exaggerated and emotional, focusing on what they perceive as glaring flaws. Yeah, they might throw out a valid point, but it’s buried under layers of drama and ego.

How to handle them: Pick through the mess for something useful. There might be a nugget of truth, even if it’s delivered like a slap in the face. Don’t get swept up in their performance. Take what you can and leave the rest behind with a smile and a nod.

3. The Belligerent Troll

We’ve all met the troll. These critics aren’t interested in helping you; they’re here to watch the world burn. Their feedback is venomous, personal, and dripping with negativity. They’re not critiquing your work—they’re attacking *you*. The troll wants a reaction, plain and simple.

How to handle them: Don’t engage. Seriously, don’t feed the troll. Their words reflect their bitterness, not your talent. Block, mute, and move on. You’ve got better things to focus on than their hatred.

Here’s the truth: if you have the guts to create something, the critics will come. If someone tells you they’ve never had a bad review, they’re either lying, paying for positive vibes, or haven’t left the safety of their inner circle.

But here’s the thing—critics, even the harshest ones, can help you grow. They toughen you up. They make you realize that not everyone is going to love your work, and that’s okay. The most important lesson? Believe in yourself. Believe in your work with so much ferocity that no critic, troll, or grandstander can strip away your peace. Because when you’re confident in what you’ve created, you’re already winning—no matter what anyone else says.