Subject: Developing a Thick Skin

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Developing a Thick Skin

18 November 2016
Oakland, CA


Dear Friend,

Recently a writer asked me how could she develop a thick skin. In our line of work as novelists, we ask for feedback from critique partners, from beta readers, and editors -- all to create compelling books for our readers. Then we ask the readers for reviews.

You need a thick skin in this business.

But feedback can hurt, especially if delivered unkindly.

We can't change how someone communicates to us, but we can change how we take the feedback.

That change is an inner job.

Your writing is not you, but something you create. 

If you ask for feedback, it's for the intent to improve it.

It may sound harsh to say, but if that's not your intent, then don't ask for feedback.

If you notice that you have a thin skin about taking feedback, then asking yourself why you're asking for it, and separate your self-image, your identity, and your well-being from your manuscript.

I know that's not easy, but I know you can do it. I know because I did it.

I used to feel like every critique meant that I was bad person because I couldn't yet write well. But then I realized that the feedback was not about me. It was in service to the story. 

If I wanted the story to improve, I realized, I needed to look at the feedback and ask, "What serves the story?" 

What serves your story? You decide.

Hit reply and let me know your thoughts and questions on developing a thick skin.

Coming up for next week! I'll be running a Half-Off Sale on my One-on-One Consultations for "Black Friday" and through the end of November. Stay tuned!

♥


Today!

I am the guest today on "Expand into Love Summit" sponsored a life coach, Melissa Sarazin, out of Toronto, Canada.

Melissa interviews me about creativity and I share some tips about play and how to weave it into a busy life.

Click to get your complementary All-Access-Pass to The Expand into Love Video Summit:


I love Melissa's tag line for this event: "Connect to your Heart, Increase Your Intuition & Activate Your Inner Resources." Hope you can join us!



♥



Soon!

Publishing Success Summit, December 4-18, 2016
I'll be part of a big Publishing Success Summit in December 4-18, along with 64 other book industry experts. 

To find out more and get on the pre-launch notification list, go here:



Have a Happy and Creative Week!

And thanks for showing up for yourself and doing your creative work!

All our best,
Beth & Ezra

PS. Check out this Writer's Fun Zone article by monthly columnist Chloe Adler as she shares with us “Finding Your Editor” Enjoy! 



beth@bethbarany.com

Barany School of Fiction

Writer's Fun Zone blog



If there are resources you'd like to support your novel writing career, but don't see on my blog, products, school, or 12-month author group coaching program, hit reply and let me know. I'm always creating new courses and products for you, so that you can inspire the world.

♥

ABOUT US
Beth and Ezra Barany are award-winning, best-selling novelists, with 20 books and 6 awards to their name. They are teachers who have worked with over 100 authors to help them get their books written and published and into the hands of their readers.

♥ Happily married for over 16 years, we’re passionate about writing, storytelling, and guiding authors to achieve their dreams.

♥ We offer coaching, change work sessions, book marketing coaching (Beth) and cover design (Ezra), all for genre novelists. More at bethbarany.com. 

♥ To explore how Beth can support you, schedule a 1-hour complimentary Discovery Call here: http://bit.ly/AppmtWithBeth.

WHAT I DO + WHY

I support writers and aspiring authors through classes and workshops, articles, books, group programs, and consultations with private clients.

I also help authors because I walk my talk; everything I or my teachers teach is based in real experience and matured through the school of hard knocks.

I believe that the creative life works better with play and love, so with playful joy, I offer you goodies to support you in your writer's adventure.


ABOUT BETH BARANY

An award-winning novelist, certified creativity coach and Master NLP Practitioner, Beth runs Writer's Fun Zone, a blog for and by writers, and her recently launched school for novelists, the Barany School of Fiction.

Beth writes young adult (YA) fantasy and contemporary fantasy romance. She also writes how-to books and courses for novelists, including her home study coaching guide, The Writer's Adventure Guide: 12 Stages to Writing Your Book, a Hero's Journey adaption with you the author as the hero in your own adventure of writing your book.


In her downtime, Beth reads, colors, watches movies with her sweetie, travels, and has coffee with friends and family. And plays with her cat, gardens, and walks. And sleeps. She loves sleep.


Photo Credit: by c. 2014 Vivienne McMaster

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