Have a great holiday, Sal. 🙂

But anyway, I am always open to suggestions and feedback. I want, so desperately to improve my writing and my business, that I will take it anywhere I can get it. The only problem to keep in mind with this approach is there are more than two ways to skin a cat and you can easily get caught up in changing back and forth between your feedback. It is important to evaluate your feedback and come to solid conclusions which fit in with your goals and go from there.

Well, Merry Christmas to everyone! Time to get off here and go make some cookies, then it off to a whirlwind night of wrapping…oh yea, and to eating those cookies! 😉

My hand's up – I too get my hackles up when there's criticism. I have an editor I work with whose criticism, though, has made me a better writer in many ways. There are a few things I've not agreed with, but in general I've tried approaching it from a "how can I learn from this person?" perspective.

Enjoy your sister's company, Paula! My own sister is 500 miles away. I'll see her in January, though. 🙂

Ashley, great perspective! I've been guilty of that, too. I think maybe that's where some of us get the protective attitude – from having been criticized too harshly.

Wendy, that's so true. I have had clients spout that very "bad grammar" complaint, but when I probe deeper, I realize they're relying on antiquated grammar rules. I need specifics, not blanket complaints.

Happy holidays to all! 🙂

But, it has to be constructive. I don't want someone to just spout, "Fix your grammar" and leave it that. Give me a 'because' or even an example, so I can get a good idea of what you're talking about. If it's an area that needs fixing, I need to understand what you're talking about before I can do anything about.

I'm actually more guilty of the opposite: believing whatever anyone tells me about my writing – good, bad, indifferent. I'm only now having confidence that yes, I am a good writer, and yes, my opinions are valid. It's enlightening!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Most writers are sensitive, that's what allows us to connect with our readers and subjects. But to be a professional, you also need the ability to step back and see things for what they really are. That means listening to feedback and weighing how valid it is. Sometimes the hardest critiques to hear are the most helpful.

My sister's here – after a marathon gift wrapping session last night, we'll be doing crafty things and baking today and tomorrow. So Merry Christmas, everyone! (Hey, even people who don't celebrate Christmas can still have a merry day.)

Good post! I think I've mentioned this before, but I can be as stubborn as the next guy. On occasion, I'll get feedback, and my hackles go up (internally; I almost never voice that feeling).

But I always chew on comments afterward, perhaps because I'm so stubborn. And sometimes, I simply have to admit, "Damn, that's a good point." Kills me! But I'm a better writer and businessperson because of the feedback and because I, sometimes reluctantly, agree with it!

Have I ever told you that your blog is the only writer's blog that I include in my morning reading religiously? (I read other blogs, but not in that morning must-read period.)

Thanks for creating a community and providing great advice. Happy holidays!

I think you're right about how they work with clients, too. Frankly, I don't know if I'd like working with someone who knows it all.

If I feel huge resistance to a suggestion, I'll often say, "Thank you. I need to think about that."

And I do. Because sometimes it takes awhile to really absorb the content of a suggestion, realize that it works as is, or is a path that will help you get where you need to go, even if you don't follow it to the letter, and then you apply it.

I've ranted about ungrateful writers who ask for advice and then throw it back into your face. They get to do that with me exactly once. After that, no time for them. Let them go bother someone else.

I could spend that time writing.

If you ask for advice, you get it and say, "thank you." It is then your option as to using it or not using it, but you still say "thank you" and do not get defensive and do not make excuses.