So I have to confess to another bad habit, at least a bad habit for
writers. I like to go to the Amazon page of books I enjoyed (or
Goodreads or what have you) and read the one-star and two-star reviews.
And, sometimes, they have valid points, and I can see where they were
coming from. Other times, said reviews are crazy-sauce. If the
internet has proven one thing, it's that some people will fundamentally
mis-read something, and have loud opinions about it.
Knowing that, am I going to be able to keep myself from reading my one-star and two-star reviews?
No, I'm not. I'm really not. I just don't have that kind of self-control.
However, what I think
I'll be able to do is roll with those bad reviews. I won't respond to
or challenge the reviewers. I will likely rant and scream a bit within
the confines of my own household, but nothing public. I mean, I was an
actor and theatre producer, so I've had bad reviews before. I can take
it.
But.... I might also see some valid points.
Points that I could learn from in the next project. Or give me insight
into which aspects of the books are or aren't working for people.
Because, it would be the height of hubris to think that I've got
everything figured out and there's nothing left for me to learn. Even
the most misguided, vitriolic bile-spitting hate-screed of a review
could have a seed of value I can harvest. And if there isn't, then... ignore it.
And since there's always more to harvest, it's off to the word... fields. Hmm. That metaphor isn't quite as romantic, is it?
I love this confession. Mainly because I do it, too. But I'm not sure it's a bad habit. When I'm considering a book, I often read a few 5-star reviews and a few 1- or 2-star reviews. If a book has been out a while and has zero low ratings I'm frankly suspicious. Often a scathing 1-star review will be what convinces me to buy!
ReplyDeleteI'm talking about reading the bad reviews of a book I've already read and liked, rather than as research before purchasing. Basically, when I've read a book and enjoyed it, I tend to go, "So, what are the people who didn't like this saying?"
DeleteGreat way to look at it, Marshall. I hope when I'm finally published that I can be as wise about bad reviews. (And yeah, I'll totally be ranting in the confines of my house and head when it happens.)
ReplyDeleteWell, and let's hope my wisdom holds up in practice. It's easy to claim what I'm going to do in theory....
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