When the Words Don't Hit Home

One of the best things about being a writer is the fact that we are able to touch our audience with just our words. As a writer, words are what we do best and nothing beats the feeling of knowing that they have impacted someone. So, what happens when the words don't hit home? How do you handle 'failure'?

I touched on this topic a bit in my first post about the struggles of a writer in which we find that though it is our job, putting our work out there and opening ourselves up to the heavy criticism of others can be tough. As any artist, as a matter of fact. Whether you are a painter, a composer, a singer, a dancer- heck even a teacher- we all stand to be affected by the criticism the world never falls short of. Whenever we create and present, we risk the chance of 'failure'. Now the reason why I put the word failure in air quotes is because the word is extremely subjective. One can put out their creation, be told it was trash and simply set out to do better. Another can view this happening as a lack of success. Your 'failure' can either be a lack of success, or it can be the chance to do better. The way you channel when you are unsuccessful can determine just how successful you can be.

As artists, you risk the impact of 'failure' every time you decide to present your art. But what's the use of art if not something that forces someone to think? To wonder, and to criticize? This is how we grow, and change, and evolve! Your 'failure' is simply a question of 'why?', or 'how?', or 'what if?'. A proposition of 'instead', or 'but'.

"Why did the author choose to present this idea?"

"How is this relevant to the point the author tries to make?"

"What if the author decided to go more in dept with this character?"

"Instead of focusing on Character One, the author should delve more into Character Two for more conflict."

"But the author could find more drama in humanizing this character."

Criticism has always pushed us forth. Made us do better. So, when the words don't hit home, this is not your failure, writers. These are your questions. Questions to do better, and create another opportunity to touch your readers.

So, the next time you hear this writers, you have not failed.

You've simply got more to do. Haven't the best stories been paved by set-backs?

-XTBWilliams