E N Dennis

So are you ego driven?

I cannot speak for everyone but these are some of the things I have been told to look for when someone seems driven by the ego, and indeed some of them have been my own folly. – Defensiveness on feedback. They argue the points or even dismiss critical feedback out right. I did this in my freshman English class more than once. It is amazing the teacher did not shoot me on the spot.

So how do I learn to balance confidence with humility?

You can write a lot and submit a lot. Failure as a writer comes naturally with a lot of rejection. That’s not a bad thing. It simply means you have something to learn, even if it is something as simple as accepting a timing issue. You learn not just humility but also learn to take things as a professional. It’s not personal. It’s a learning experience. You might not really be ready. Relax. You are in the field.

Where did the skill come from?

It was the hidden iceberg that has been developing in the water the entire time. We only see that peak after so much work has already gone into making the ice. I found myself thinking about this when I was working through today’s Nurturing Your Writing Calm practice. The thought was so powerful that I had to make a note for later to go further into this.

What to Do’s?

Remember you are the sovereign supreme in the moment. No blow or act from outside you can stop your focused action in the moment. Your job is to do the work before you. It remains in your power to do that work no matter what some outside voice has judged you, your work or anything else. Remain compassionate with yourself. The writer defines his own reality. Other realities do not matter in your process.

What to do about criticism?

There are literally a whole list of questions you could use to evaluate any criticism you might ever come across. However, one of the best methods I have run across is to ask yourself: “Will the change make your life better or just validate the critic’s point of view?” If you will be better, implement the change. If it only gives credit to the critic, ignore it. I have found this question very useful.