Reviews

Taking the good with the bad.

Lately I’ve received an influx of reviews. There’s been a mixture of good and bad. I’m happy to say most have been positive. It’s the negative that sometimes leave me baffled.

One reviewer said if you can get past the heroine, the book was good. First and foremost I’d like to say, thanks for taking the time to buy and read my book. I really, really do appreciate it. More than you’ll know…I’m just confused. The heroine is a huge part of the book. If you don’t like her how did you like the book?

Talking with two other authors we’ve come to the conclusion we really need to look at the review itself. Is it poorly written, could the reviewer have a bone to pick? I’m not referring to the review above when I ask these questions. I’m asking them in general.

The truth is when I go back and re-read some of the reviews I have to take the comments with a grain of salt.

You can benefit from reviews though, even the negatives. I believe we can grow from others comments and critiques.

Another thing I hear a lot is “the book was great, I just wish it were longer.” I believe I’m not alone here. A lot of writer’s get this. In the beginning I’d get pissed and want to scream. It’s a f*ing novella, it’s supposed to be short. Now I’ve decided to look at the positive side of it. The reviewer wanted more. He/she wished it were longer because they liked it and craved more.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. :o) Besides, it feels better when you see it in a positive light.

Yes, I read reviews. It’s just part of the writing game. What I don’t do is allow them to consume me with grief and heartache. I accept that it’s one or more person’s opinion and they have a right to express how they feel. How I interpret those opinions is up to me. 

Reviews

Yes, I’m back on this subject again. :o) Here’s the thing. I read them and like to file away – good or bad. I’d like to say I never read them, but that would be a lie. The bad sting and the wound will smart for most of the day and then I move on.

One thing I can’t understand from reviewers is if you read a book from an author and you didn’t like it – why would you read another from the same author?

Going back to the fact that I used to review if I didn’t like a book by an author I wouldn’t read anymore of his or her books. I didn’t because I felt I couldn’t get a fair review. I bring this up because of a recent review Kat and I received. The reviewer said she read one of my Loose id books and didn’t like it, but wanted to give a co-authored book a try. WHY?

I’m all for constructive criticism. I’ve even agreed with reviewers at times. After reading a few reviews on this site, I don’t put much stock in the reviewer’s comments. Life is short and not everyone will like my books. I can’t worry about others think, unless they become the majority. Most of the time it’s a few disgruntled reviewers who have an axe to grind. 

Back Temporarily

The other day fellow author and friend Anny Cook blogged about the decrease in sales and whether or not it’s worth continuing to bust your butt to put out stories that people just aren’t buying.
Like Anny I began tracking my sales in a spreadsheet at the beginning of the year. Let me just say sales aren’t what they used to be. I didn’t write as many stories as I had last year, but it shouldn’t make a difference. Everyone said you need a backlist. Well, I have one – 25+ books long.
I do have two books that sell well – Adrift and Gettin’ Lucky. Two different publishing houses and two different stories. So why do they sell so well? Beats me.
Then yesterday I received 4 reviews for 3 different books. The first one was really good for Hit Me. The next three came hours later and within minutes of each other. Each was not so great. Hit Me, Chasing Forever and Just Another Rainy Day. So maybe it’s my writing. Maybe because I’m not grieving as much I’ve lost something in my ability to write a decent story. Could be I’ve lost my mojo. ;o) Whatever the reason things are not panning out the way I thought they would by now.
I couldn’t write full time if I wanted. Where I once made $500 a month I’m lucky if I get $100…and that’s from 4 publishers. I want to be able to spend more time with my new daughter. I’d like to quit my day job, but again, the money just isn’t there right now.
So where does that leave me? To focus more on my non-fiction writing. It’s more productive and lucrative. I’m going to finish the one book I’m writing because it’s contracted. Not sure how long I’ll be on hiatus. At least until the writing bug strikes me again or I feel I just have to write.
I’ll continue to blog here if I have something to write about or something worthwhile to share.