Take it like a Writer

We all have moments as a writer where we want to shove our work out the window and call it a wash.

A chapter isn't working.

The POV is all wrong.

No one likes your main character.

We work through those steps like a champ... okay, so not exactly like a champ. I keep the food staples in the house - wine, cookies, and ice cream (speaking of which BLUE BELL has just made individual woman sizes - yea, they said woman sizes... that's kind of awesome... but off topic). So yea, I have the food staples to carry me to the next phase.

Next phase meaning you've revised the crap out of your novel and it's now in possession of your crit buddies. Or what I like to call the crit tryouts. Those in which you send a chapter and see what they think.

Then you wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Then you get it back and EVERYTHING is red.

This is where you need to take it like a writer.

Deep breaths, read what's written, think objectively, and close the document. Why? Because thinking objectively  never happens the first round (yes, I'm referring to myself). I normally cry (if there is a lot of red)... they hate me, they think I'm a bad writer, maybe I am... maybe I suck. Those are the things that run through my head.

I've found waiting THREE days does wonders. It gives me time to thank the critique buddy for all they've done once you realize it was helpful.

So next time you get a critique and you want to scream... give it three days. It'll help. Take it like a writer.

What works for you?