A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to Sammi’s comment section.
Title is included in my 106 words.
OH, FOR THICKER SKIN
One morning I went to Amazon, as I do occasionally and found a new review on my first novel that has an average of 4.5 stars. Eagerly I read the latest. Despair riddled me as I skimmed the scathing comments.
“One-dimensional characters. Immature writing.”
By the time I finished reading three paragraphs of venom I couldn’t breathe. My head throbbed.
I quit. I’ll never write another word. I’m a failure.
The next day another review appeared on the same book.
“Fantastic. Realistic characters. Endearing story.”
Whom do I believe? To what voices should I listen?
If only my feelings weren’t so delicate.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
The travails of being a writer, or anything else for that matter.
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Dear Ted,
Yep. I’m plagued by the same feelings with my art. When others sell more at fairs I doubt myself. Ah well. Thank you for coming by, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Do not pay attention to others at the fairs. Sometimes they see you selling more than them and then they feel lesser. That guy below me here has the right idea.
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So many fantastic reviews. So few, count on half a hand, reviews. So…….who ya gonna believe? Believe in yourself, that’s who. You are phenomenal. So there. Stick that in your pen and paper. Oh, by the way, good story.
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Dear Jan,
Methinks you might be a tad biased, but I’ll take it. 😉 ❤ Thanks, m'luv.
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Dear Rochelle,
Like the actors who choose to not read reviews, especially bad ones, so should you. Any critique you may get that you asked for is another story. The ones on sites like Amazon are often gratuitous and there are trolls aplenty just looking to hate.
Surround yourself with those who encourage you and diss the ones who don’t. We know how fabulous you are.
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I remember you saying pretty much the same thing that morning the nasty review showed up. I’m glad you’re one of those encouragers I surround myself with. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thick skin is what’s needed in life, more so in this business. Loved your story, Rochelle
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Dear Neel,
Thank you for the encouraging words. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess the written word is like most things in life – some think one way, others differently in everything from politics to food! I wonder what the third review was like.
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Dear Keith,
One suggestion from another writer was to go to Amazon and read a negative review on one of my favorite authors. I did that with a Chaim Potok novel. Yep, there were negative reviews…more than a few. I’m in glad company then. 😉 I’ve heard opinions likened to a part of the lower anatomy. Everybody has one. 😉 Thank you for reading. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well-written and kept me hanging. Such a good angle on ‘delicate’.
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Thank you, Karen. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice take, Rochell. Shalom!
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Thank you, Indira. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great post! I loved the way you used your writing prompt.
I think this question demotivates many people, but all it takes is one word of encouragement that changes everything!🌸
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Dear Bhagyashree,
It’s so true. Encouragement can motivate a person to do better. Much more-so than negativity and criticism. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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