Other people criticising your writing can be hard to take, but it can also be a very useful tool for improvement. A couple of weeks ago, I took a look at why criticism can be good for writers – following on from that, here’s a look at some of the things you can do with criticism of your writing. Feel free to add your own thoughts and tips in the comments box.

Take it seriously. If someone has taken the time to read your work and offer feedback, it’s worth giving it a serious look even if you don’t agree with what they have to say. They must have thought those things for a reason.
Dismiss it. Of course, there’s always the option of dismissing the criticism. Sometimes this is the wise course of action, particularly if someone has clearly written something negative just to be spiteful. However, even if they have been helpful in their criticism, it doesn’t mean you have to take it on board if you really don’t want to. It’s your choice.
Get some other opinions. Constructive criticism from one person can be very helpful to a writer, but what do other people think? The more feedback you can get, the more you can see whether a consensus exists around that original criticism. If it does, it’s probably worth doing something about.
Take the tips on board. Useful criticism is often much more helpful to writers than blanket praise. It gives us an idea of what we need to work on, as well as ideas for improvement. Even if you don’t use the tips in your current piece of work, they could well end up being useful for something else.
File it away for future reference. Criticism hurts at the time, but it’s all part of being a writer. It shows someone cared enough to take the time to read your work, and one day you’ll be able to look back on it knowing you’re much better now than you used to be. Today’s knock backs could end up being tomorrow’s confidence boost – just look at the progress you’ve made.