Bad Reviews
There comes a time when everyone has to deal with an indifferent or outright negative review, whether it's by a boss (if you're an employee), a listener (if you're a musician), an audience member (if you're a performer), or a reader (if you're a writer).
Some of us are good at dealing with less than sterling reviews; others are not. I've come to the conclusion that I'm not.
Even worse, it made me wonder whether those who've said they enjoyed it did so only to avoid hurting my feelings. Instantly, I began to wonder: Did so-and-so mean it when he said the story was written so vividly that he could see the time and place? Or was he simply being nice? Was she silent after reading it because it was a disappointment?
Why did I let one casual comment cast doubt on the validity of any opinion that was positive? That's irrational, isn't it?
I tell myself that I can't please everyone, and yet ... I want to make readers happy, provide entertainment and distraction. It hurts to be told, even by one person, that I've come up short.
So what does one do when one's feelings are hurt? Well, one could go and eat ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream. Or one could revisit the Amazon page and reread kind-hearted comments such as:
5.0 out of 5 stars Harlem Blues, July 8, 2008
Nope, I don't think I'm a tough enough nut to really read reviews.
New Year's resolution #1: Avoid reviews. Avoid anything and anyone who gets you down (i.e., negative people, negative opinions, negative reviews.) There! Now I do feel better!
Some of us are good at dealing with less than sterling reviews; others are not. I've come to the conclusion that I'm not.
"I read the book some time ago. It was ok, I’ll give it a B- rating. The plot was interesting, but I didn’t really get any sense of time or place ..."I just read this comment about Darkness and the Devil Behind Me on a very popular blog. It hurt. It worried me, too, that it might discourage others from reading the book, others who might enjoy it.
Even worse, it made me wonder whether those who've said they enjoyed it did so only to avoid hurting my feelings. Instantly, I began to wonder: Did so-and-so mean it when he said the story was written so vividly that he could see the time and place? Or was he simply being nice? Was she silent after reading it because it was a disappointment?
Why did I let one casual comment cast doubt on the validity of any opinion that was positive? That's irrational, isn't it?
I tell myself that I can't please everyone, and yet ... I want to make readers happy, provide entertainment and distraction. It hurts to be told, even by one person, that I've come up short.
So what does one do when one's feelings are hurt? Well, one could go and eat ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream. Or one could revisit the Amazon page and reread kind-hearted comments such as:
5.0 out of 5 stars Harlem Blues, July 8, 2008
By Angela of Color Me Purple (Atlanta, GA) - "I can't wait for the next Lanie Price Mystery ..."4.0 out of 5 stars What's Done In the Dark Will Come To Light, February 24, 2008
By M. P. McKinney, APOOO BookClub (Ohio) - "Darkness and the Devil Behind Me by Persia Walker will capture your attention from the first page."4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - Be careful who you ask, January 29, 2008
By The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) -After rereading these comments by strangers, I do feel better. Pathetic, isn't it?
"DARKNESS AND THE DEVIL BEHIND ME is ... delicious!"
Nope, I don't think I'm a tough enough nut to really read reviews.
New Year's resolution #1: Avoid reviews. Avoid anything and anyone who gets you down (i.e., negative people, negative opinions, negative reviews.) There! Now I do feel better!
2 comments:
Persia, Persia, Persia:
First, this person may not even have read your book, but may be thinking of something with a similar title. Or may just want to sound important by critiquing your book.
Second, take a look at this critique of another author's book: I received a free copy ... and quite frankly that is the reason I finished it instead of dropping it on the floor and finding something more productive to do. ... I can also say that at about page 375 of 400 the story picks up pace and it becomes a page turner. - and then look at how the author responded, below the review. I think this guy is brilliant to respond to his reviews in blogs.
Third ... at least your "bad" comment was only mildly critical - imagine if it had been as scathing as this guy's!
But anything that gives you an excuse to eat ice cream can't be all bad.
Thank you, Sara, for your wisdom and common sense. You're right. The comment was only mildly critical, but I'm such a wimp. Anyway, I took your advice and responded at the blog. Doing so made me feel better, too.
Post a Comment