When we get bad advice, there’s usually some obligation to respond in some way, to acknowledge the feedback. No matter how bad the advice is, it’s important to remain professional—and not do something you’ll regret later.
Don’t react
The initial slap-in-the-face sting will fade. Okay, it may not—but the first minute you read something that’s just prima facie all wrong isn’t the best time to jump on it. Give it a few minutes; go have some chocolate if necessary.
If this is an in-person setting, now is a good time to nod. Narrow your eyes a little if you want, but anything more than that is probably a little rude. (The eye narrowing nod can look like either disbelief or sage acceptance.)
Weigh it out
This phrasing comes from Josi Kilpack. She points out that no matter how off-base a comment may seem, there may be a kernel of truth in it. Somewhere. And who knows, maybe—just maybe—they were right after all.
I should add here that fortunately I’ve been a victim of this one, too. My favorite example here is when a critique partner suggested I add a scene near the beginning of the book. I hemmed and hawed over this privately—until the scene started playing out in my mind. It was so entertaining—and just like she said, solved so many problems—that I just had to write it, just to see what it’d look like. (And when I still liked the finished product, I stuck it in there.)
Be gracious
Finally, no matter whether you got a hundred great ideas to revolutionize and revitalize your story—or just got the general idea that this person is clueless—be sure to thank them. This person didn’t have to take time out to read your work and try to help you, albeit unsuccessfully.
Thank them. If possible, tell them how their comments helped you. If that’s not possible (and sometimes it’s just not), still thank them. Sometimes, that’s all you’ll be able to do—while in some settings, it’s appropriate to discuss and clarify feedback (while not arguing), in others, that’s just not appropriate or even possible. So thank them and move on.
What’s your biggest challenge in reacting to feedback?
Photo credit: Neils van Kampenhout
I think we’ve all been there: we get some piece of advice—from a crit partner, from an editor, from a total stranger—that just doesn’t work for our story. 
Taylor Lindstrom. She acknowledges that blogging can be a major draw on a writers’ creativity and often very limited time—but it can still be beneficial for any fiction writer.
And I just happen to have an orphan almost-kissing scene sitting around. It’s from an idea I’ve had bouncing around for a while and I finally figured out it should be a YA paranormal a few months ago. I’ve slowly been working on plotting it, but other than this half of a scene and some attempts at the opening paragraphs, there’s not much to the story.
âLacey,â the blame in his tone matching mine. âAll you have to do is act like youâre gonna enjoy it.â
Your search engine presence (searching for [Cindy R. Williams]) isn’t bad, especially considering you’re facing some pretty serious competition from this Cindy Williams. (She’s Cindy Williams, but Shirley of Laverne & Shirley has at least a little bit of info about her on the web.) 
Unless you’re trying not to overly emphasize a nonfiction or an e-credit, I think you should highlight your publishing credits a little more—for example, on your home page, you could put that above the progress on your latest work. (It’s always good to know that you’re working on something, but a credit is going to be more impressive to potential editors and agents.) You could also promote your book better to help push more sales—a purchase link would be helpful there.