Jayce Grayson's Blog, page 2
August 3, 2012
THE POSITIVES OF NEGATIVE REVIEWS
Negative reviews are something that many creative people live in fear of--which is understandable to some degree since it is the creator's guts that are hanging out while someone else pokes them with a stick.
I, however, encourage reviewers to be brutally honest in their appraisal of my writing, even if it so happens that they HATE it. Don't hold back, don't opt to "be nice" by saying nothing, don't worry about endangering our friendship if you voice your true feelings about my work. (Really, how good of a friend could I be if I forced you to read my novel?)
Now, I know what you're thinking: "This guy is a masochist! He's probably dripping hot wax on his nipples while typing this!"
Well, of course, that's true--but beside the point!
Naturally, I do not DESIRE negative reviews; but there are two primary reasons that I do encourage them:
1) A negative review can trigger a POSITIVE result!
I know this to be true from my personal review-reading experience. When someone knocks a book for being too "FLOWERS-IN-THE-ATTIC-y", I'm immediately interested in said book because I happened to have loved FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC! If a reviewer complains that a novel contains "too much exposition", then that book is for me because I LOVE exposition! And don't even think of lamenting the loads of "sex and violence" in a book unless you want to see that author's sales go through the roof!
There are even some folks who can get me to read a book by something as simple as saying that they "hated it". Those are the cases where I know that if THEY hated it, then I will certainly LOVE it....
and
2) The greatest redeeming quality that a negative review has is the almost near-certainty that it contains the one element that an author can never really be sure of in one that is positive. And that element is HONESTY.
Who LOVES a book, but then writes a NEGATIVE review of it? No one, that's who.
On the other hand, many well-intentioned reviewers seek to spare an author's feelings by giving what I call "pity-praise". The thing about it is that we can't always be sure.... Maybe Mom really DOES think I'm the greatest writer of our time! Maybe my life-long best friend IS amazed at my authorial skill!
It's great to receive accolades from family, friends, and acquaintances...BUT WE NEED OBJECTIVE, DISINTERESTED, and--above all--HONEST feedback! Despite what an author may say, I refuse to believe that if he has sweated-out a story, that will be seen by other eyes, that he doesn't care what the reader thinks. OF COURSE HE CARES!
But we need to know what you REALLY think. It doesn't mean we'll change a thing--but we'll at least know how we are affecting our audience--or even IF we're affecting them.
On the other hand, I've never read a negative review where I sat back and thought, "Probably the guy's brother" or "How much did he pay THAT guy?"
Certainly there are some MEAN reviewers...but you won't have to doubt their honesty....
So rather than being disheartened by a negative review, I take heart that I have elicited a response from the reviewer--there is, after all, no unkinder cut than apathy. And, who knows? Maybe there is another reader out there who, when he sees why one reviewer DIDN'T like my book, will think to himself, "THAT'S THE DUMBEST REVIEW I'VE EVER READ! MUST...BUY...XIANNE...NOW!"
I, however, encourage reviewers to be brutally honest in their appraisal of my writing, even if it so happens that they HATE it. Don't hold back, don't opt to "be nice" by saying nothing, don't worry about endangering our friendship if you voice your true feelings about my work. (Really, how good of a friend could I be if I forced you to read my novel?)
Now, I know what you're thinking: "This guy is a masochist! He's probably dripping hot wax on his nipples while typing this!"
Well, of course, that's true--but beside the point!
Naturally, I do not DESIRE negative reviews; but there are two primary reasons that I do encourage them:
1) A negative review can trigger a POSITIVE result!
I know this to be true from my personal review-reading experience. When someone knocks a book for being too "FLOWERS-IN-THE-ATTIC-y", I'm immediately interested in said book because I happened to have loved FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC! If a reviewer complains that a novel contains "too much exposition", then that book is for me because I LOVE exposition! And don't even think of lamenting the loads of "sex and violence" in a book unless you want to see that author's sales go through the roof!
There are even some folks who can get me to read a book by something as simple as saying that they "hated it". Those are the cases where I know that if THEY hated it, then I will certainly LOVE it....
and
2) The greatest redeeming quality that a negative review has is the almost near-certainty that it contains the one element that an author can never really be sure of in one that is positive. And that element is HONESTY.
Who LOVES a book, but then writes a NEGATIVE review of it? No one, that's who.
On the other hand, many well-intentioned reviewers seek to spare an author's feelings by giving what I call "pity-praise". The thing about it is that we can't always be sure.... Maybe Mom really DOES think I'm the greatest writer of our time! Maybe my life-long best friend IS amazed at my authorial skill!
It's great to receive accolades from family, friends, and acquaintances...BUT WE NEED OBJECTIVE, DISINTERESTED, and--above all--HONEST feedback! Despite what an author may say, I refuse to believe that if he has sweated-out a story, that will be seen by other eyes, that he doesn't care what the reader thinks. OF COURSE HE CARES!
But we need to know what you REALLY think. It doesn't mean we'll change a thing--but we'll at least know how we are affecting our audience--or even IF we're affecting them.
On the other hand, I've never read a negative review where I sat back and thought, "Probably the guy's brother" or "How much did he pay THAT guy?"
Certainly there are some MEAN reviewers...but you won't have to doubt their honesty....
So rather than being disheartened by a negative review, I take heart that I have elicited a response from the reviewer--there is, after all, no unkinder cut than apathy. And, who knows? Maybe there is another reader out there who, when he sees why one reviewer DIDN'T like my book, will think to himself, "THAT'S THE DUMBEST REVIEW I'VE EVER READ! MUST...BUY...XIANNE...NOW!"
August 2, 2012
HOW DO YOU SAY XIANNE?
A bad habit is already rearing its ugly head as I put blogging before working on VOLUME TWO today.
But I thought I'd address a question that I've been asked a few times about the pronunciation of a few names in XIANNE.
First of all, "How do you say Xianne?"
Well, on page 2 of the novel, my narrative character, Jim Street, explains, "That's pronounced 'She-Anne', like the feminine pronoun, followed by your grandma's middle name."
Also, there is the Lunar settlement of "Sunita" that is referred to several times.
Sunita sounds like sue-NEAT-ah.
And, finally, the heading for chapter 20: "OKLA-JAPA-PINA"...
As is not too difficult to discern, it is Okla- (from Oklahoma), Japa- (from Japanese), and Pina (from Filipina). It'll make sense when you read the chapter, I promise.
Now I'm off to work on the manuscript of Volume Two of XIANNE: A COMEDY OF CULTURES! Yaaahoooo!
But I thought I'd address a question that I've been asked a few times about the pronunciation of a few names in XIANNE.
First of all, "How do you say Xianne?"
Well, on page 2 of the novel, my narrative character, Jim Street, explains, "That's pronounced 'She-Anne', like the feminine pronoun, followed by your grandma's middle name."
Also, there is the Lunar settlement of "Sunita" that is referred to several times.
Sunita sounds like sue-NEAT-ah.
And, finally, the heading for chapter 20: "OKLA-JAPA-PINA"...
As is not too difficult to discern, it is Okla- (from Oklahoma), Japa- (from Japanese), and Pina (from Filipina). It'll make sense when you read the chapter, I promise.
Now I'm off to work on the manuscript of Volume Two of XIANNE: A COMEDY OF CULTURES! Yaaahoooo!
August 1, 2012
XIANNE: VOLUME TWO & THE REQUISITE CONSTRUCTION-SITE NOISES
First of all, I'd like to congratulate AMANDA SWEARINGTON DEATON for winning a signed copy of XIANNE: VOL. ONE in a contest held by CYNTHIA SHEPP BOOK REVIEWS AND EDITING. (But, Father, if she didn't BUY it, how will we eat?/ Don't be so petty, Son, she's going to read my book!)
Also, thanks to Cynthia for promoting XIANNE (and somehow inspiring me to begin a blog--WHAT HAPPENED?)
As for Volume Two, I just finished the 3rd edit-&-revision of Chapter 5, and I started on Chapter 6 which is entitled ATOMIC NOOGIE. Obviously, a very dark and sinister section of the book.
Basically, I'm doing a chapter a day--for this 3rd time through--and when I've completed all 28 chapters, the novel will pretty much be ready for publication. I will then simply read it once more (a 4th time) just to try and catch any remaining errors in spacing, spelling, tense, etc. This is the same formula I followed with Volume One, and Cynthia Shepp proclaimed it "perfectly edited"--of course, she's a drunk, so reader beware.... :-)
Also, I should explain that I am sending friend requests to any and all who comment, like, follow, or otherwise telegraph their presence on my site here at Goodreads--unless, of course, you friend me first (guaranteed acceptance). This is purely a pathetic ploy to build a fan base for XIANNE; so, please, if you get captured by me, share the pain by tricking--ENCOURAGING!--others to come on board, as well.
Lastly...OK, AMANDA, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A REVIEW FROM YOU! LET ME HAVE IT!
Jayce
Also, thanks to Cynthia for promoting XIANNE (and somehow inspiring me to begin a blog--WHAT HAPPENED?)
As for Volume Two, I just finished the 3rd edit-&-revision of Chapter 5, and I started on Chapter 6 which is entitled ATOMIC NOOGIE. Obviously, a very dark and sinister section of the book.
Basically, I'm doing a chapter a day--for this 3rd time through--and when I've completed all 28 chapters, the novel will pretty much be ready for publication. I will then simply read it once more (a 4th time) just to try and catch any remaining errors in spacing, spelling, tense, etc. This is the same formula I followed with Volume One, and Cynthia Shepp proclaimed it "perfectly edited"--of course, she's a drunk, so reader beware.... :-)
Also, I should explain that I am sending friend requests to any and all who comment, like, follow, or otherwise telegraph their presence on my site here at Goodreads--unless, of course, you friend me first (guaranteed acceptance). This is purely a pathetic ploy to build a fan base for XIANNE; so, please, if you get captured by me, share the pain by tricking--ENCOURAGING!--others to come on board, as well.
Lastly...OK, AMANDA, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A REVIEW FROM YOU! LET ME HAVE IT!
Jayce
July 31, 2012
PERSUASION
No, not Jane Austen's incredible classic. Rather, ME attempting "persuasion" upon you, the reading public.
Today's method of conning--HURRUMPH!--PERSUADING--you to read (read: BUY) my novel XIANNE: A COMEDY OF CULTURES: VOLUME ONE is a very subtle technique called, "Try Giving Them Some Chapter Titles, Stupid; Who Knows? It Might Work!"
There are 28 chapters in XIANNE, with such fascinatingly intriguing titles as:
Chapter 2: THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Chapter 8: THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE HILTON HOTEL
Chapter 10: SOPHIA LOREN...IN HOUSEBOAT....
Chapter 16: MANSFIELD PARK
Chapter 20: "OKLA-JAPA-PINA"
Chapter 22: BEHOLDING EXCALIBUR
Chapter 24: CATWOMAN
Chapter 26: "WASN'T JABBA THE HUTT NAKED?"
Now I realize that most of you have already abandoned this blog and are currently maxing-out your credit cards on Amazon; so, to the few who are still with me--having obviously already obtained a copy--I just want to say thank you for your support, but really, can you own too many copies of XIANNE? I think not! Get over on Amazon as quickly as you can!
Feel free, folks to question, harass, and otherwise interrogate me about anything that comes to mind--I might even give direct answers!
Tomorrow, I'll say something about Volume Two.
Today's method of conning--HURRUMPH!--PERSUADING--you to read (read: BUY) my novel XIANNE: A COMEDY OF CULTURES: VOLUME ONE is a very subtle technique called, "Try Giving Them Some Chapter Titles, Stupid; Who Knows? It Might Work!"
There are 28 chapters in XIANNE, with such fascinatingly intriguing titles as:
Chapter 2: THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Chapter 8: THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE HILTON HOTEL
Chapter 10: SOPHIA LOREN...IN HOUSEBOAT....
Chapter 16: MANSFIELD PARK
Chapter 20: "OKLA-JAPA-PINA"
Chapter 22: BEHOLDING EXCALIBUR
Chapter 24: CATWOMAN
Chapter 26: "WASN'T JABBA THE HUTT NAKED?"
Now I realize that most of you have already abandoned this blog and are currently maxing-out your credit cards on Amazon; so, to the few who are still with me--having obviously already obtained a copy--I just want to say thank you for your support, but really, can you own too many copies of XIANNE? I think not! Get over on Amazon as quickly as you can!
Feel free, folks to question, harass, and otherwise interrogate me about anything that comes to mind--I might even give direct answers!
Tomorrow, I'll say something about Volume Two.
July 30, 2012
Long Time On Earth, 1st-time Blogger
Here begins a new adventure for me--BLOGGING! In the days ahead, I will attempt to share my incredible wisdom with those who so faithfully (and so few) are "following" me. My low-tech intellect will be evident to anyone under 30, and I apologize ahead of time for the puzzled expressions which may indeed get stuck on your faces as you try diligently to decipher my intended meaning. Perhaps I should just try to be mysterious....
It is my hope that everyone who visits this blog has read the first installment of my novel XIANNE: A COMEDY OF CULTURES. Please understand that if you have not done so, it is absolutely necessary to my financial well-being that you immediately purchase a copy--make that TWO copies--OK, THREE copies. Roughly $10 on Amazon...that's only about 27 cents a day...(you know the spiel).
Please feel free to comment--tell me what a load of crap XIANNE is, or not (NOT is better).
I hope I can make it worth your while to read whatever drivel I put on here; it won't be every day--I'm working on Volume Two, you know--but I'll endeavor to be regular. There's medicine for that.
READ MY BOOK!
Jayce
It is my hope that everyone who visits this blog has read the first installment of my novel XIANNE: A COMEDY OF CULTURES. Please understand that if you have not done so, it is absolutely necessary to my financial well-being that you immediately purchase a copy--make that TWO copies--OK, THREE copies. Roughly $10 on Amazon...that's only about 27 cents a day...(you know the spiel).
Please feel free to comment--tell me what a load of crap XIANNE is, or not (NOT is better).
I hope I can make it worth your while to read whatever drivel I put on here; it won't be every day--I'm working on Volume Two, you know--but I'll endeavor to be regular. There's medicine for that.
READ MY BOOK!
Jayce
