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Carl Vonderau's avatar

I too was brought up in a family that discouraged pride and self-congratulations. I have the same tendency to deflect as you do. But when you tell someone that you don't deserve their compliment, you are also telling tham that they were wrong to think you did. The best response is a slow and genuine "Thank you.". To satisfy your inner voice telling young to be prideful, you can also add, "That is very generous." Or if they liked a particular section of your work, you can say how hard you worked on that, and how happy it makes you that they liked it.

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Saralyn Richard's avatar

As someone who adores your writing, I say, "Deflect no more!" You've come into your own.

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