Being a first time novelist, I log onto book review sites with the same excited anticipation as a bride-to-be checks her mailbox for wedding replies. Like that same bride-to-be, I don't expect everyone to respond favorably to my invitation to read my first written creation. I was even prepared for the one star reviews, perhaps with a note, saying "Not my cup of tea." What I wasn't prepared for was the scathing, rant one-star review! So when one of my earliest reviews was from someone who won my book on my first Goodreads giveaway, I was gored. I immediately filled with self-doubt. Was I one of those pathetic American Idol contestants whose family and friends thought my art was good or didn't have the heart to tell me how bad my writing was?
My first reaction was to turn to my editor, who was also thrown under the review bus. "Alice, please take a look at this and tell me how you think I should respond, if at all," I emailed and forwarded her the link. Thankfully, Alice was plugged in that night and responded immediately. She confirmed it was a really nasty review, I won't use her exact words and forwarded me a link to a recent article in Oprah magazine (http://bit.ly/12WvSs6). I read the article and let the advice sooth my wounded self. "Thanks, good advice, Alice; you're right I just won't comment on it."
I still needed to vent to my husband who was sympathetic but didn't have any advice in this field. I needed a little more reassurance. After all, I had just spent countless hours and a lot of money to put this book together and I planned on writing more. I certainly didn't want to waste another moment of my time and resources if the only people who would read it were my circle of influence. I returned to my laptop and forwarded the review to a woman who I trust to tell me like it is, a former executive in the publishing businesses. "Maretta, I need your advice. Was my book any good? I need you to tell me the truth. Are people just being nice when they say they liked it?"
Maretta responded the next morning in her authoritative tone she usually speaks in. "Who cares (cares elongated) what other people think! If you enjoy writing, write. If people really didn't like your book they would not say anything or they would say it was good and look away. I see the way people respond, they like it. Besides, look at all the other reviews on the other sites, read those!"
I picked myself back up and decided to follow the English mantra that has been reconfigured in so many ways and keep calm and write. I reread the one-star review and noted the few editorial points that she made. At least I would take something positive from it. My awareness of how not only words, but tone can affect others was heightened and I vowed to try and be more aware of that myself. Thankfully, more 4 and 5 star reviews keep coming in, to tip the scales on that Simon Cowell of book reviews!
Are you an author? How or do you respond to reviews of your book?
Are you a reader who writes reviews? What formula do you use?
My first reaction was to turn to my editor, who was also thrown under the review bus. "Alice, please take a look at this and tell me how you think I should respond, if at all," I emailed and forwarded her the link. Thankfully, Alice was plugged in that night and responded immediately. She confirmed it was a really nasty review, I won't use her exact words and forwarded me a link to a recent article in Oprah magazine (http://bit.ly/12WvSs6). I read the article and let the advice sooth my wounded self. "Thanks, good advice, Alice; you're right I just won't comment on it."
I still needed to vent to my husband who was sympathetic but didn't have any advice in this field. I needed a little more reassurance. After all, I had just spent countless hours and a lot of money to put this book together and I planned on writing more. I certainly didn't want to waste another moment of my time and resources if the only people who would read it were my circle of influence. I returned to my laptop and forwarded the review to a woman who I trust to tell me like it is, a former executive in the publishing businesses. "Maretta, I need your advice. Was my book any good? I need you to tell me the truth. Are people just being nice when they say they liked it?"
Maretta responded the next morning in her authoritative tone she usually speaks in. "Who cares (cares elongated) what other people think! If you enjoy writing, write. If people really didn't like your book they would not say anything or they would say it was good and look away. I see the way people respond, they like it. Besides, look at all the other reviews on the other sites, read those!"
I picked myself back up and decided to follow the English mantra that has been reconfigured in so many ways and keep calm and write. I reread the one-star review and noted the few editorial points that she made. At least I would take something positive from it. My awareness of how not only words, but tone can affect others was heightened and I vowed to try and be more aware of that myself. Thankfully, more 4 and 5 star reviews keep coming in, to tip the scales on that Simon Cowell of book reviews!
Are you an author? How or do you respond to reviews of your book?
Are you a reader who writes reviews? What formula do you use?
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