So if, as a writer, you’re supposed to take feedback from readers, critique groups, reviewers, etc., with a grain of salt, what is that grain of salt?
My thought is this:
“Would the suggested change help satisfy my readers?”
I think that’s it.
Next time you get a comment you’re on the fence about, ask the commenter (unless it’s a review; just leave that shit alone),
“How will this help satisfy my readers?”
If they can’t explain, or if the answer is, “But that’s how you do it” (or “But that’s what’s grammatically correct”), then ignore it. If it points back to some kind of arbitrary rule or system, but not back to a reader, then it’s ego and bureaucracy talking, not inspiration.
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