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Every year I tell myself that I’m not going to read any reviews and then I do. We’re all human and when I read something negative it hurts. I think when you write it’s part of the game, you’re going to get some good reviews and some bad reviews and that’s how it goes. I don’t write for the reviews.
Jodi Picoult
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Reading reviews can be painful, but it's an inevitable part of being a writer.

This quote highlights the emotional challenge writers face when dealing with criticism. Despite knowing that both positive and negative reviews are part of the writing journey, authors often find themselves affected by negative feedback, acknowledging their humanity while emphasizing that their motivation to write should not solely rely on external validation.

Themes

WritingReviewsCriticismHumanFeedback

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can inspire writers during a workshop on handling criticism.

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But if you seek forgiveness, doesn't that automatically mean you cannot be a monster? By definition, doesn't that desperation make you human again?
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when you [lose someone], it feels like the hole in your gum when a tooth falls out. You can chew, you can eat, you have plenty of other teeth, but your tongue keeps going back to that empty place, where all nerves are still a little raw
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