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I know this will ruffle some feathers. I’ve seen many people say that they don’t care about the opinions of others. They write and publish for themselves. Doesn’t matter what any says. These authors don’t care. At least, that’s how they come off, but I believe you can’t publish a book without caring about what people think. Let me explain while you get your torches and pitchforks ready.
If one is truly only writing for themselves then they wouldn’t bother sharing it for others to see. The moment an artist allows others to see their work, a part of them is exposed to outside opinions. It’s unavoidable. If the audience loves it then the artist gains pride and confidence. If the audience hates it, the artist can reevaluate their creation or just get depressed. This is part of being social creatures and taking a step out of the herd to show off something we put our heart and soul into. Even if you’re not aware of wanting some praise, a part of you really does want recognition from at least one person without a connection to you. It means you made a positive effect on a stranger.
Now, the ‘I do not care about opinions’ tends to appear when negative reviews and general criticism comes up. This is a tricky thing because some of these opinions shouldn’t be cared about. You know the ones, right? Insults, mockery, unfair comparisons, and full on attempts to break the artist. Totally different from creative criticism, which one doesn’t always have to take. I would agree that the hurtful opinions shouldn’t be cared about and given any fuel. Yet, they are a part of publishing a book and allowing someone else to read it. That part of you that wants recognition creates exposure to this side of the coin since nobody gets 100% positive reactions.
I really don’t believe it’s wrong to care about the opinions of others, including outside of art. Depends on the source and intentions of the opinions. Those designed to hurt shouldn’t be taken to heart since that gives the bully what they want. On the opposite side, opinions of empty praise don’t really help beyond artificially inflating an ego. That can lead to an artist never improving and possibly stepping into an echo chamber to avoid criticism. It’s everything in the middle that one should at least consider, especially when it involves publishing a work. Otherwise, why bother even paying attention to reviews either good or bad? In that case, why publish if you don’t really care what other people think and don’t concern yourself with feedback?
Part of my thoughts on this topic is wondering why some authors publicly deny that they care about opinions. Is it true? I considered that until I saw a few of them get upset about negative feedback then go back to not caring. So, maybe this is just a defense mechanism these authors have created. A wall of apathy to block whatever is attacking until the threat is gone and they can open their souls up for criticism/praise again. We all have our own ways of handling the barbs of critics, so this could just be one of them. No idea if it’s healthier than taking time off to cry, whine, and feel like you made a mistake ever putting a pen to paper or finger to keyboard. Whatever gets an author through the day and continuing to write, I guess.
Again, this is all an opinion, which I guess shouldn’t upset those who don’t care about such things. Yet, it’s totally human to do so. The whole social animal thing means we care about the opinions of others on some level. We just might not like what we end up hearing, which is different than not caring in the first place. Gotta take the bad with the good when you publish and put yourself out there. It’s just what happens when you reveal a project you’ve put your heart and soul into. Not everyone will like it and you can’t really target only those who will love it. Just how it goes.
Legends of Windemere 
I think I see what you mean. People say they don’t care, but then they do care if a bunch of people complain about a book they’ve written. Bad reviews hurt. And writers are sensitive people.
I get inspired by writers who continue at their craft despite the negative opinions of others. Some people shared their opinion that I was wasting my time writing. Others told me that since they hate fantasy, they wouldn’t read a fantasy book I wrote. So, whenever I work on a manuscript, I don’t share my plans with these individuals even if they ask what I’m doing.
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Exactly.
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I think any writer who says they don’t care what others think is not telling themselves the truth. Of course we care and when an opinion goes against what we feel, it hurts. My disclaimer on writing is I don’t chase the market. I do write what I want , and yes I do care if people like or dislike what I do.
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The market is always changing too. Hard to chase fog.
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True.
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I agree, John. I do the same. I don’t think I could ‘write to market’ if I tried. I have to tell the stories that come to me.
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Good way to do it. Thanks, Viv.
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We all care. I need to hack out a Story Empire post about validation, but I’m not up again until next year. Let’s face it, good reviews make us feel better. The bad ones irk us.
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Fully agree. I’ve just seen many authors claim they don’t care about the opinions of others. Then they get upset about a review.
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If we don’t care about the opinions of others, why do we ask readers to give us reviews? I grew a tough skin long ago – you wouldn’t believe the reviews a scientific paper or a grant application can get – but I also learned that the reviews can be helpful. Except for the 1 stars! 😉
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1 stars can be helpful if written to get an author to improve. Usually not the case though.
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Wise words, Charles.
‘I don’t care’ is only a means of protecting themselves.
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Thanks.
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I think there’s a distinction between not caring about opinions (or claiming not to) and letting outside forces determine what we write. If someone writes what they want/believe/need to, even if there isn’t perceived to be a market, they have decided not to care about opinions as a way to maintain independence, not to hide from criticism.
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I agree, but most times I hear an author make this claim it’s about criticism.
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A well written and thought out post. This is interesting information for people in many industries. Kind regards, Jay.
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Thanks.
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I think we all care to a certain degree but you can’t let those negative opinions and scrutiny consume you. Everyone has a different opinion and perspective so maybe someone thinks differently than you… and that’s okay because thats what makes humans so amazing!
I think sometimes it’s hard to separate ourselves from our work because we put so much time and effort into creating something that we love. And when people voice opinions, even with no ill intent, it can feel like a personal attack.
I try to use that as a learning opportunity though. If I’m getting defensive, or react negatively to a comment of my work, I ask myself: why am I feeling that way? Because, for the most part, I wouldn’t care about some off the cuff comment or criticism, unless I was insecure about it to begin with.
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I think that’s part of the challenge as an artist. To shrug off any negative opinions risks never improving or becoming arrogant. To take everything to heart is destructive. The reality is that we put part of ourselves out there when we make art. That comes with vulnerability.
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