It's amazing how many writers cling to their works like they are their "babies". Which, all things considered, they really are! It's hard to release your creation into the world, out there where others can see it, comment on it, and possibly say negative things about it. It's definitely one of the greatest challenges writers face, and it can lead to some pretty bad insecurities. But over the course of my writing career (short as it may be), I've learned that we have to let go. Once we make it as good as we possibly can, the only thing we can do is put be brave, put ourselves out there, and take our lumps! When I launched The Last Bucelarii (Book 1): Blade of the Destroyer, I was incredibly nervous about the feedback I would get. I spent months poring over every word in that book, trying to make it as good as possible. When the day come to press "Submit", I knew it was as good as I was going to make it. Thankfully, most of the feedback has been positive! The book's rating on Amazon hovers at 4.6 Stars, with most of the reviews being five-stars (all without me saying "Pretty please"). But there have been a few reviews that forced me to be a man and take my lumps. There are things about the book that I absolutely love! For example, the part where the Hunter goes around the Temple District and sees all the different temples to the various gods. For me, that was the most enjoyable part to write! I loved creating an entire pantheon of gods, and I felt that was the best way to explain about the gods of Einan (the world in which the Hunter lives). But a few reviewers have said, "It felt like an infodump." To anyone who reads/writes, that word "infodump" is something to be dreaded! It's basically a way of saying, "That's a newbie way of sharing information--it could have been done better." So, I had my idea of what would make the book interesting, and I discovered I was wrong. I have two choices:

1. Cling to the blind confidence that I am right and these reviewers are wrong.
2. Let go of my way of thinking and try to approach it the way someone else sees it.

I'm not going to go back and change anything, but I will DEFINITELY keep it in mind for future works. Because I have made the choice to "let go" of what I think to be right and am trying to be open to the suggestions of others, my work will only improve in the future. Writers--and anyone who creates--learn to LET GO! It's the only way that you will get better. Don't box yourself in by sticking to your opinion or idea of what "right" really is, but let go of your assumptions or preconceived ideas. The more open you are the learning, the more you will learn, and the better you will become!