How NOT to Respond to a Negative Review
Okay, guys, this is getting a bit ridiculous now, not to mention repetitive. Writer reacts badly to review, writer gets called on the carpet about bad behavior, writer is convinced massive conspiracy is underway, writer starts acting crazy.
Am I the only one who sees this and thinks, "NO NO NO, DON'T YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST GUY WHO DID THAT?" Jesus. It's more frustrating than watching the blonde in a horror movie head DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE MONSTER.
I think it's time for another handy-dandy Nenia Instruction Guide. *nods*
1. Insult the reader.
Why would you do this? Seriously, WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS? Not only is it mean, rude, and incredibly unprofessional, it's also pretty much validating what the reviewer said. Why? Because YOU WERE SO COMPLETELY UNABLE TO COME UP WITH A RESPONSE THAT YOU RESORTED TO AD HOMINEMS INSTEAD OF ACTUAL FACTS. Congratulations; you've committed the Godwin's law of literary criticism.
2. Whine about how time-consuming writing is.
Clearly it's not very, or you wouldn't have all this free time to spend harassing people on the internet.
3. Tell the reader that they should try writing a book.
They might take you up on this. And wouldn't it be embarrassing if their book received so much more critical acclaim than yours? Plus, it ties into the same irrationality as in #1. Your argument is invalid.
4. Bully them into changing the rating.
Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. How would you feel if you had a really strong opinion about something and someone was trying to tell you that you were a effing moron for having that opinion and that the right thing--the DECENT thing--to do would be to change that opinion post-haste? Would you apologize to this person and agree to change your opinion? Or would you get pissed off and tell them to go to hell? Exactly. So don't act surprised when people tell you to go to hell.
5. Go cry to certain nameless sites claiming to help you fight off those mean nasty bullies by systematically attacking them.
This is like overeating to help yourself lose weight.
6. Report the negative review for abuse.
Let me direct you to a wonderful story called "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."
7. If the person is an author, or friends with an author whom they like very much, RATE ALL THAT BITCH'S BOOKS A 1!
I'm sorry, weren't we just talking about one-star reviews being abusive and bullying? You're not even adhering to your own logic anymore.
8. Dig up personal information on the reader to use for blackmail/revenge.
Okay, seriously? This is starting to get fucking creepy. If there were any people left who still had sympathy for you, they will feel it no longer. Congratulations, you are now a psycho.
9. Harass readers for rating OTHER people's books one star.
How does this affect you in any way?
10. Leave your Goodreads and Amazon accounts and cancel your internet subscription because that'll SHOW THEM.
Actually... feel free to do this. Because, um, it will show them. Yeah. They'll miss your harassment so much that they'll come crawling back.
But seriously, come ON. You're giving indie authors a bad rep. Cut it out, yo.
Am I the only one who sees this and thinks, "NO NO NO, DON'T YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST GUY WHO DID THAT?" Jesus. It's more frustrating than watching the blonde in a horror movie head DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE MONSTER.
I think it's time for another handy-dandy Nenia Instruction Guide. *nods*
1. Insult the reader.
Why would you do this? Seriously, WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS? Not only is it mean, rude, and incredibly unprofessional, it's also pretty much validating what the reviewer said. Why? Because YOU WERE SO COMPLETELY UNABLE TO COME UP WITH A RESPONSE THAT YOU RESORTED TO AD HOMINEMS INSTEAD OF ACTUAL FACTS. Congratulations; you've committed the Godwin's law of literary criticism.
2. Whine about how time-consuming writing is.
Clearly it's not very, or you wouldn't have all this free time to spend harassing people on the internet.
3. Tell the reader that they should try writing a book.
They might take you up on this. And wouldn't it be embarrassing if their book received so much more critical acclaim than yours? Plus, it ties into the same irrationality as in #1. Your argument is invalid.
4. Bully them into changing the rating.
Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. How would you feel if you had a really strong opinion about something and someone was trying to tell you that you were a effing moron for having that opinion and that the right thing--the DECENT thing--to do would be to change that opinion post-haste? Would you apologize to this person and agree to change your opinion? Or would you get pissed off and tell them to go to hell? Exactly. So don't act surprised when people tell you to go to hell.
5. Go cry to certain nameless sites claiming to help you fight off those mean nasty bullies by systematically attacking them.
This is like overeating to help yourself lose weight.
6. Report the negative review for abuse.
Let me direct you to a wonderful story called "The Boy Who Cried Wolf."
7. If the person is an author, or friends with an author whom they like very much, RATE ALL THAT BITCH'S BOOKS A 1!
I'm sorry, weren't we just talking about one-star reviews being abusive and bullying? You're not even adhering to your own logic anymore.
8. Dig up personal information on the reader to use for blackmail/revenge.
Okay, seriously? This is starting to get fucking creepy. If there were any people left who still had sympathy for you, they will feel it no longer. Congratulations, you are now a psycho.
9. Harass readers for rating OTHER people's books one star.
How does this affect you in any way?
10. Leave your Goodreads and Amazon accounts and cancel your internet subscription because that'll SHOW THEM.
Actually... feel free to do this. Because, um, it will show them. Yeah. They'll miss your harassment so much that they'll come crawling back.
But seriously, come ON. You're giving indie authors a bad rep. Cut it out, yo.
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message 1:
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Jake
(new)
Apr 07, 2013 07:43AM
I personally had never heard of this kind reaction and thought it strange until you mentioned it was an indie author. Don't take this in the way I didn't mean it, I just find it a lot harder to imagine an author with a publishing company behind them behaving in such a manner. Actually anyone immature enough to go about acting that way is positively ridiculous.
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Am I the only one who sees this and thinks, "NO NO NO, DON'T YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST GUY WHO DID THAT?" Jesus. It's more frustrating than watching the blonde in a horror movie head DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE MONSTER.This is why you're made of awshum, Nenia. I thought I was the only one getting tired of seeing this same damn scene played over and over and over and over...gaaaah! Who was it, Freud? who said that insanity is when you keep doing the same thing over and over but expect a different outcome? Proof positive that some of these BBAs are truly insane.
Nice post. Well said.Now, say it again just in case the nutbag indie author didn't read it.
I'm surprised by all the bullying. It's like a gang on Goodreads sometimes. lol
Archer the One with Tsundoku wrote: "Made of Win"Why thank you, kind sir!
Jake wrote: "I personally had never heard of this kind reaction and thought it strange until you mentioned it was an indie author. Don't take this in the way I didn't mean it, I just find it a lot harder to ima..."You would be surprised! It is rarer, to be true, but some authors with publishing houses have been called on the carpet for their bad behavior.
But yeah, it does seem to be an indie thing especially, and that really sucks.
Ederyn wrote: "Am I the only one who sees this and thinks, "NO NO NO, DON'T YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST GUY WHO DID THAT?" Jesus. It's more frustrating than watching the blonde in a horror movie head DIRECT..."No, you're definitely not the only one. I think anyone even remotely professional feels the same way! And you know what that means? That we're BOTH made of awesome! YAY!
Khaalidah wrote: "Nice post. Well said.Now, say it again just in case the nutbag indie author didn't read it."
Heh. I think you'd be surprised how many people have said some variant of the same thing.
Alisa (The Reading Obsession) wrote: "Awesome post."Thanks! :D
Aurora wrote: "I'm surprised by all the bullying. It's like a gang on Goodreads sometimes. lol"Seriously. Isn't high school supposed to STAY in high school? I mean, REALLY. :P
I gave a novella a 2 star rating last year; the author liked the review and commented (or possibly sent me a PM) thanking me taking the time to not only read his work but to also leave a review. He apologised to me for me not liking it very much and said he hoped it wouldn't put me off reading anything further by him. It's a shame that not all authors, indie or otherwise, don't behave with the same decorum and gratitude as he did. Excellent post Nenia, as ever!
Angela wrote: "I gave a novella a 2 star rating last year; the author liked the review and commented (or possibly sent me a PM) thanking me taking the time to not only read his work but to also leave a review. He..."Agreed. My favorite review wasn't five stars. It was four, and while admittedly that isn't bad, the review came with a very thoughtful explanation of the good and not so good points of my book. It showed real insight and I appreciate it more than any other. I'd appreciate a thoughtful review like that even if it was two stars.
Angela wrote: "I gave a novella a 2 star rating last year; the author liked the review and commented (or possibly sent me a PM) thanking me taking the time to not only read his work but to also leave a review. He..."That's so sweet! What a charming man. I had a similar experience with another author, who commented on my one-star review to tell me that it was the nicest one-star review he'd ever gotten. I totally agree that the badly behaved authors get all the spotlight, and a lot of truly compassionate people tend to slip through the cracks as a result.
Khaalidah wrote: "Angela wrote: "I gave a novella a 2 star rating last year; the author liked the review and commented (or possibly sent me a PM) thanking me taking the time to not only read his work but to also lea..."That's a great outlook, Khaalidah. I love five star reviews as much as the next author, but I definitely think that critical reviews have the potential to be more helpful. I especially like those really funny negative reviews. One of the one-star reviews I got was quite cutting, but it made me laugh and the reviewer brought some really good points up that made me rethink my approach to the sequel.
It's a shame that it keeps having to be said.But wait... Instead of running TOWARDS the monster, doesn't the helpless heroine usually stumble over her own two feet in a feeble attempt to get away?
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Well, two things come to mind. One is, "What do you get when you fight fire with fire? Answer - Two fires and a much larger burned out spot."
The other is, maybe too simple. Some people do not believe in their own writing. If you believed in your own writing, one bad review shouldn't matter. As other's read it, the truth will come out. If you think your own book sucks, and you publish anyway, you might need to be prepared to fight about so you look like an asshole rather than a dumb-ass.
If you think one reviewer can change the minds of anyone who reads the book, control how others like or dislike it then, you may need to get some professional help until the voices go away.
Sure people read and are swayed by reviews, but very few people take one review and assume it was written by God as the final word. Most want more opinions, and reading the book yourself is also very popular these days.
Arguing with authors about their book is a lose-lose situation. If you can't win, why fight in the first place? If you don't get in the boxing ring, you don't get beat up. Let them loose on their own.
Jus' sayin.
@I, Curmudgeon: Ahh, that makes total sense. I would much rather look like an asshole than a dumbass. Totally.@Molli: Thank you! <3 :D
Oh man! This is hysterical! My favorite line:Congratulations, you are now a psycho.
D.G. wrote: "Oh man! This is hysterical! My favorite line:Congratulations, you are now a psycho."
AND they win the internet!
