Got a bad review
It happens to every author.
That review where you feel massively misunderstood. That review which makes you feel unappreciated and wrongly judged. That one that makes you want to kill someone. It doesn’t even have to be a 1-star one. It could be a nice one where they got one thing dreadfully wrong.
And it has nothing to do with you. Nothing.
It happens because a reader usually doesn’t even see the author. The reader sees the story and either likes it or not. Or dislikes part of it. And a review is simply a reader’s opinion.
Of course, that doesn’t really help if that review just came in and you’re torn between screaming, cursing and crying.
So here are three steps how to deal with it:
1. Rant in a safe place.
You need to get that out of your system, but the internet is the wrong place for ranting. So find a friend or a safe chatroom, and vent there. Get it out, cry, moan and bitch until you feel better.
Don’t ever respond to that review. Never, ever.
2. Use EFT to clear the remaining shock and anger out of your system.
You’ll find the start-up sentences below. This is truly the best way to release any remaining anger. And you need to release the shock of reading that review, or it’ll stay in your body and influence your writing.
Since you want to use your authentic voice and don’t want to twist your next story to this reader’s preferences, you need to clear out all that hurtful energy. And EFT lets you do just that.
3. Go back to writing.
This will let you do what you love, and realize that a review is simply the statement of one reader. There are millions out there, and many will love your stories. Keep writing and putting out that next book.
Feel better already? Great.
Here’s your tapping:
Even though I’m totally devastated by that review and ready to kill someone, I’m still a good writer, and I’m open to the possibility that it’s not about me at all.
Even though I’m so furious about this review, how could he get me so wrong!, I’m still a good writer, and I’m ready to release that anger now.
Even though it was such a shock to find that review and read it, I can still feel it in my bones and my body, I’m a great writing, and I’m now choosing to release that shock from all my cells and let it go.
Your Turn:
What was the worst review you ever got? And what did you do when you found it?
Write a comment!
*Image source: F. Moebius
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PPS: I can help you deal with bad reviews and the shock those can deal you, especially if you find they are blocking your writing. EFT is the fastest way I know to shift limiting beliefs, old thought habits and other kinds of blocks. Click HERE and send me an email. Together, we’ll figure out how I can support you best.
