It is comments like that I used to fear deeply.

I decided to look into the fear, only to find shame around not being good enough.

From that place of awareness, I come to realize that your mean words, or critical comments, are part of the experience of being a writer: each one triggers a part of us, and they are all acceptable reactions. You trigger the critical voice in me, my mom, and the positive ones trigger the supportive and loving voice in me, my own.

This simple realization has been powerful, now I smile when I am criticized, because your words are always about you, and my reaction is always about me.