Authors and Negative Reviews

It seems there has been a lot of drama going around the blogging world lately.

Normally, I don't post about heated topics. I'm highly allergic to drama and angst (Except in stories, of course), and I learned long ago that you really can't change people's minds about anything, so why point that spotlight on yourself? But, in light of the recent author/blogger drama on twitter and facebook, I felt compelled to add my two cents to the mix. So, this is my own opinion, garnered from the years I've spent as a writing professional, on Authors and Negative Reviews. Future authors and writers, this is especially for you, not to scare or scold or threaten, but just as a gentle caution of what to expect.

NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE YOUR BOOK. This is a certainty. No matter how compelling, no matter how innovative or brilliant or well-written, no book can please everyone one hundred percent. If you don't believe me, find your favorite book or author and check them out on Goodreads. They will have 1 and 2 star reviews, just like everyone else. Some people will adore your book, some people will just think its okay, and some people will loathe it and want to burn it and scour your name from the face of the earth for writing such garbage. And it's okay for them to think that. They are entitled to their opinion. Really, that's all a review IS: an opinion. Which brings us to the heart of this matter...

YOU ARE GOING TO GET NEGATIVE REVIEWS. If you are an author, and you put your book out there for the world to read, you are going to get bad reviews. Sometimes, the review will be thoughtful and well-done, with the reviewer citing what they liked and didn't like about the story. That's the best kind of negative review, but it doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes the review will be snide and hateful, as if the reader despises you personally and says all kinds of ugly, unkind things about the story you've put your heart and soul into. Its amazing the things people will say on the internet that they wouldn't dare say in real life, but it happens. This is why many authors I've spoken to stay far, far away from Goodreads. Because Goodreads is brutal on authors, and some of us would rather not know. So, now that you can expect at least one negative critique of your book, how does one respond to such a review? What should an author do in the face of such bad press?

NOTHING.

Let me say that again. NOTHING.

At the very, very least, you can email or post a comment thanking that reviewer for their time in reading and reviewing your book. Then you go and rant to your best friend, or your hubby, or your dog. You do not take out your hurt and frustration on the reviewer. You do not leave a comment on their blog, defending yourself and your book. You do not tell them how wrong they are, and that they must have misunderstood your writing, and that everyone before them has given your book steller reviews. Because it doesn't matter. You aren't going to change their opinion--again with that word OPINION--and you are only hurting yourself and your career by acting in such an unprofessional manner.

Yes, I know. Negative reviews hurt. They downright suck. Believe me, I've gotten more then my share, and its not fun reading "Julie Kagawa, you give fairies a bad name." (Actual review.) I know your book is your greatest achievement, and that you've come far and struggled so hard to get it published, and you should be very proud of that. I know its hard when you wrote the best story you could, went through all the heartache and uncertainty of getting it published, only to have a virtual stranger put it down like its nothing, like we don't have feelings and it doesn't tear us apart every time someone is cruel. I know its unfair that we can't defend ourselves.

But that's the world of authors and reviewers, and the only classy way to respond to bad reviews is graciously or not at all.

Thankfully, there are many out there who will love your book and your stories, and those reviews will be wonderful and glowing and make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But, if you are to swim these treacherous waters of authordom, you must also be prepared to lose a little blood, as well. This is just fair warning, take it from someone who knows, and start working on that thick skin. And a sense of humor can help tremendously.

So that's my two cents on authors and negative reviews. Comments and discussions are welcome. However, any mean, ugly, or hateful comments will be eaten by the gremlins.

Julie

Mondays with Meghan: Shiver

Meghan: *peeks in room to make sure the boys aren't there, quickly darts in and locks door*


Grimalkin: *yawn* What are you doing?


Meghan: I want to do my book review thing, but I'm tired of hearing the boys argue over my shoulder everytime I do. I want some peace and quiet for a change.


Grimalkin: Mm. You do realize that a locked door only assures Goodfellow will come knocking on it, right? It sends out a Siren Call to his little pesterer brain, telling him there is someone who is trying to keep him out of someplace. You should hear from him in three ... two ... one ...


Puck: *pounding on door* Hey, why is this door locked? Meghan, are you in there? Hellooooooooooo?


Meghan; *groans* Great. Well, this will have to be quick.



Review: Shiver










For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human. Until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.



If there's a word to describe Shiver, it would be "haunting." Maggie's writing is eerie, moving, and lyrical, from the first time you lay eyes on the great wolf in the woods, to the love that develops between Sam and Grace, to their desperate struggle to keep Sam from losing himself to the cold. This is a story that twists your gut, fills you with longing, makes your throat tighten as you realize Sam is slowly slipping away, into a world where Grace cannot follow. Above all else, this is a love story, one that resonates long after you read the final line, and close the book in a daze.


Final word. I loved it. It makes me want to stand on the back deck in the snow, feeling the wind cut into my jacket, searching for a flash of feirce golden eyes.



Grimalkin: *perching on back of chair.* Very touching. My eyes are golden, you know.


Meghan: Yeah, but you're a cat, not a wolf.


Grimalkin: And everyday I am thankful for that small favor. Now, perhaps you should unlock the door before--


*crash!*


Grimalkin: Too late.

Mondays with Meghan: Thoughts on Eyes Like Stars

Meghan: Okay, so technically its Tuesday, but I was busy yesterday. Someone put purple hair dye in my shampoo, and now my head looks like an easter egg. I guess its tragically fitting for today's review.

Ash: I think its kinda cute, actually.

Meghan: *sigh* Thank you. Is Puck still locked out of the house?


Ash: Yes.

Meghan: Good. I hope it rains. Moving on.

So, this isn't going to be a true review, just my thoughts so far on Lisa Mantchev's EYES LIKE STARS. There were lots of positive reviews circulating the internet, so I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about.

So far, I'm up to page 118, and it seems the plot is starting to pick up. In the beginning, it was a little confusing with all the stage scenes and changes, and I was left wondering what was going on. But now the real plot has been revealed, and I'm eager to see what happens next.


Bertie is a likable heroine; mischeiveous, daring, a little on the brash side. (Reminds me of someone I know actually, *coughPuckcough*). She's always into some sort of trouble, usually of her own making, and always has some plot up her sleeve. Nate the pirate is a likable guy, a good character, and a solid love interest, but the four crazy, hyperactive fairies are easily my favorite part of the story. Though I do feel sorry for Bertie now and then. I know how it is, Bertie, I know how it is.

Thumbs up so far. Now, back to reading.

Ash: I think I saw lightning.

Meghan: *snickers and ignores frantic pounding on door*

I adore this book.

This is not a genre I read often. The genres I read often include dragons, faeries, werewolves (I've sworn off vampires for awhile), wizards, magic, flying carpets, kings, queens, and talking pink rabbits. In other words, I'm a big fantasy buff. BUT, then I saw the booktrailer for Perfect Chemistry ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr0OtYYpyek

And was so intrigued and amused, I had to go buy it. I could give a summary, but the trailer does a much better job, so all I'll say is that it was amazing. I thought I would despise the female lead, Brittney, but from the first chapter, she shows she's not the stuck-up ditz I thought she'd be and I really connected with her. Alex, ah Alex. I always had a thing for stoic bad-boys with tragic pasts. And, what can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic after all. The chemistry (pun intended) between them was intense, and made me melt into a big happy puddle of goo.

So to summarize:

Story: A. A classic Romeo and Juliet story, only with gangs and cheerleaders.

Characters: A+. I've read a lot of YA where I couldn't stand the protag, especially if it's a female. Call me old fashioned, but being rude and condescending does not come off as "snarky" or "tough," just smack-worthy. Alex and Brittney never got to the point where I wanted to slap them. They both acted like real, relatable teenagers, each with their own set of problems that they were dealing with in their own way.

Writing: A. No flowery language or stunning descriptions here, but the writing is real and down-to-earth, yet executed in such a way that you really feel what the characters are going through. And the ending left me grinning like an idiot. Overall, I can't say enough good things about this book. So, watch the trailer, and then go out and get this book. You won't be dissapointed.