When I write anything–especially my novels, I put my heart and soul into it. I’m not an exception. All authors do.
I realize I’m ready to publish when I enjoy reading my book. At that point, I automatically think everybody will enjoy the story. I want my readers to love it so much, they will tell others about their experience, so the “net” will be cast to capture a larger audience. More people will turn my pages, and maybe someday, I’ll even get a royalty check. That’s what we all want, right?
But I have a small problem. Two of my best friends have told me, “I find your books hard to read.”
Hmmmm what do they mean? “Hard” to read? I write my books in the same style as I write my blog. Straightforward, easy to read, and hopefully, entertaining. What’s the problem?
Of course, right away the insecure artist side of me says, “My stories are not sophisticated enough.” OR “I’m not good enough for them to waste their time on my book.” OR “Are my novels really bush-league books?”
Why does it bother me that these two women don’t like my books? Why can’t I bring them into my fold? Worst of all, why do I forget so many others who have raved about my stories and can’t wait for the next one to come out? Have I fallen short or is it just their literary tastes that leave me in the dust? Why don’t I stop to think that perhaps they don’t care for World War II history or a good love story?
A person could drive themselves nuts over such rejection.
I truly thought my writing skin was thick enough to take rejection after 20 years of a professional writing career. But when two of my best friends didn’t like my stories, I took it personally. Shame on me! I know shouldn’t even care. Right?
Thank goodness a small voice in my head counseled me. “Get over it. Accept the fact the stories just don’t appeal to them. After all, you didn’t write to please them, did you? You wrote these books because the stories inside of you were screaming to get out.”
Then I take a deep breath. Breathe. Count to ten and tell myself, “Okay, I can deal . . .I think . . . Someday.
Author Mccloskey Speaks 
I like this. I was just thinking the same thing myself. My own husband has said he doesn’t like my writing style. But really he’s not one to judge because he never reads anything and has not had a wide experience with novels of any kind. He never reads and never did before. So, I try not to be hurt by it, but it’s hard. You want to please everyone, but the truth is we can’t possibly do so. But like you I feel I will struggle with having a thick skin. How do you grow that? I’m just about to publish, right now and I’m a bit worried. Thanks for having a timely post! 🙂
You know the old saying – you can’t please everyone. As long as you like what you write, that is the most important thing (and it’s really good that you have friends who are totally honest with you) 😉
I think I could take the criticism, if I knew what it was. “Too hard to read,” doesn’t do it for me.
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Ask them why… Is it because of the language, or content, or theme???? Or are they just not interested in the genre?
I was having this conversation with my son this afternoon. I was giving serious thought to not blogging anymore because what I want to write about is not something many want to read about. I don’t know what your friends mean but I know certain subjects trigger distress in me. I don’t watch or read anything about WWII. When driving through Munich, I almost lost it in the car I was driving. I picked up the energy of Auschwitz. I couldn’t get out of town fast enough and I was only on the road. It’s almost like a soul memory. Weird, I know. We all have our stuff. My son doesn’t get it but my daughter does.
Don’t stop blogging. It’s such a wonderful forum to “search for the truth.” And I certainly understand the “trigger” factor. I hate violence for the sake of violence. And I deliberately circumvented the horror of the Holocaust. I didn’t ignore the fact that it happened, but I didn’t include the graphic elements of that part of the war. I was more interested in how women supported each other to endure. So, I totally get how you feel and respect it. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.