My new crime novel, Steel: The Missing Light, was published last week. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive some wonderful praise from fellow authors, including Caroline Green, Graham Bartlett, Leye Adenle and Awais Khan. One even called me a ‘tour de force’. Naturally, I’ve been insufferable ever since.
But praise and criticism are funny things. We crave one and dread the other, yet it’s often the criticism that does us the most good. Nobody likes being told their masterpiece needs work, their brilliant idea is rubbish or their singing sounds like a cat being strangled. But without honest feedback, how do we improve?
The trick is learning to take both in the right spirit.
1. Enjoy the praise
There’s nothing wrong with a pat on the back. Praise builds confidence, encourages us to keep going and reminds us that our efforts aren’t entirely wasted. Particularly when you’ve spent months sweating over something. Enjoy it. Say thank you. Just don’t start believing you’re God’s gift to literature.
2. Welcome constructive criticism
This is the uncomfortable bit. Good criticism identifies something you can actually improve. When writing, I value someone pointing out a plot hole or a character behaving like an idiot. Better to hear it before publication than discover it in a one-star Amazon review. Listen, consider what’s being said and resist the temptation to immediately defend yourself.
3. Know the difference
Not all criticism is useful. Some people offer thoughtful advice. Others simply enjoy finding fault. Learn to distinguish between the two. Equally, not all praise is meaningful. Your mum telling you you’re wonderful is lovely, but hardly an independent assessment of your literary genius.
Ultimately, praise and criticism are both valuable, provided we don’t let either define us. One gives us encouragement. The other gives us an opportunity to grow.
So next time someone offers an opinion, will you listen to what you want to hear, or what you might actually need to hear?
OUT NOW!!! STEEL: The Missing Light
White collar crime, street fights, motorbike chases through the estates of London and demons at every turn. It’s a long way back from the dark, but where there is light, there is hope. Washed-up fighter turned detective Tiberius Steel just has to find her first…
Available on Amazon (global): https://amzn.eu/d/04e7W4YP
Perfect for fans of Luther, Strike and Jack Reacher.
‘A fantastic creation from a thrilling new voice in crime fiction. Cailey Barker is the real deal.’
Caroline Green, Sunday Times bestselling author
‘What a debut! Cailey Barker punches his way into the crime fiction world with this raw, pacy yet utterly relatable thriller. Tiberius Steel is a wonderfully flawed creation who you will want to follow into whatever nightmares he takes you.’
Graham Bartlett, Sunday Times bestselling author of Bad for Good
‘Pacy and gripping with a protagonist you’ll love, Steel is crime fiction at its finest. Cailey Barker is a tour de force!’
Awais Khan, author of No Honour
‘Steel by name, steel by fame. Cailey Barker has created an unlikely hero I can’t get enough of. The Missing Light is a gripping, sharply written thriller that left me impatient for the next Steel novel.’
Leye Adenle, award-winning author of Easy Motion Tourist
‘If you love your crime fiction fast and thrilling, Steel will be right up your street. Tiberius Steel is a fantastic character and I can’t wait to find out what he gets up to next.’
Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City and Miss Aldridge Regrets
‘An action-packed mystery where the pace doesn’t drop and the action scenes are excellent.’
David Beckler, author of the City Streets Mysteries
‘A gritty, compelling thriller with a troubled hero worth following. Steel’s search for his daughter gives the action real emotional weight.’
David Fennell, author of The Art of Death
