Authors Are Human By S.C. Wynne
Good morning all!
I saw some stuff happening on Facebook yesterday, and it got me thinking. There was a reader/reviewer who was upset because she was kicked out of a group for saying negative things about one of the author's books. Now, this was inside the author's private group. There are lots of places for people to vent and give their opinions about the books they read, and most authors understand that not all books will please all readers.
But if you have to bitch, don't go into an author's group to do it. Go to Goodreads. Amazon. Any group you want on Facebook, Twitter. ANYWHERE ELSE.
Sometimes I feel like certain readers don't quite understand how difficult it is to create something, and then have other people criticize it. We're human. We're sensitive. We often doubt our own talent and ability to write. If you want to review a book, there are so many options for readers to do so. But to go into an author's space, and go out of your way to make sure the author knows you weren't happy, is strange. What would make you think the author would want that? Who enjoys criticism? Would you insult someone who invited you into their private space and cooked you a meal? Is there some reason you think the author simply must hear your opinion? Why? What happened to being kind? Respectful? Not all books will be your favorite. So? If you've enjoyed many of the authors books, can't you maybe let something pass? Why do you feel driven to express your disappointment to the author? Did you forget authors aren't robots? That we have the same sensitivities anyone else does?
I'm not saying reviewers and readers can't express themselves however they want. They can and do. That's awesome. But know your audience. As a creative person, I avoid places where people tend to be rude and downright mean in their reviews. Places like Goodreads are horrible for authors. But no one thinks Goodreads shouldn't exist. I simply avoid going there at all costs.
Creativity is a fragile thing. When people say hurtful things to an author, it isn't easy to forget. And being creative when you feel wounded is hard. Every word you put on the paper feels stupid and stilted. Mean words, intentional or not, can damage an authors ability to perform well. This is how many of us put food on the table. We can't afford to sit and nurse our wounds, so it's easier if we just try and avoid negativity about our books. But if you come into our groups and vent, how would we do that? We need private, safe places. We deserve that.
I'll reiterate, I'm not saying reviewers and readers have no right to express themselves. They do. THEY DO. Don't misunderstand me. But don't expect to be welcomed and greeted warmly when you go into an author's private group and express how much you didn't enjoy their book.
Our books are like our children. We put everything into them. No one is going to smile and say thank you when you tell us you didn't like something we worked months on. Sorry. We are human. We. Are. Human.
S. C.
www.sc-wynne.com
I saw some stuff happening on Facebook yesterday, and it got me thinking. There was a reader/reviewer who was upset because she was kicked out of a group for saying negative things about one of the author's books. Now, this was inside the author's private group. There are lots of places for people to vent and give their opinions about the books they read, and most authors understand that not all books will please all readers.
But if you have to bitch, don't go into an author's group to do it. Go to Goodreads. Amazon. Any group you want on Facebook, Twitter. ANYWHERE ELSE.
Sometimes I feel like certain readers don't quite understand how difficult it is to create something, and then have other people criticize it. We're human. We're sensitive. We often doubt our own talent and ability to write. If you want to review a book, there are so many options for readers to do so. But to go into an author's space, and go out of your way to make sure the author knows you weren't happy, is strange. What would make you think the author would want that? Who enjoys criticism? Would you insult someone who invited you into their private space and cooked you a meal? Is there some reason you think the author simply must hear your opinion? Why? What happened to being kind? Respectful? Not all books will be your favorite. So? If you've enjoyed many of the authors books, can't you maybe let something pass? Why do you feel driven to express your disappointment to the author? Did you forget authors aren't robots? That we have the same sensitivities anyone else does?
I'm not saying reviewers and readers can't express themselves however they want. They can and do. That's awesome. But know your audience. As a creative person, I avoid places where people tend to be rude and downright mean in their reviews. Places like Goodreads are horrible for authors. But no one thinks Goodreads shouldn't exist. I simply avoid going there at all costs.
Creativity is a fragile thing. When people say hurtful things to an author, it isn't easy to forget. And being creative when you feel wounded is hard. Every word you put on the paper feels stupid and stilted. Mean words, intentional or not, can damage an authors ability to perform well. This is how many of us put food on the table. We can't afford to sit and nurse our wounds, so it's easier if we just try and avoid negativity about our books. But if you come into our groups and vent, how would we do that? We need private, safe places. We deserve that.
I'll reiterate, I'm not saying reviewers and readers have no right to express themselves. They do. THEY DO. Don't misunderstand me. But don't expect to be welcomed and greeted warmly when you go into an author's private group and express how much you didn't enjoy their book.
Our books are like our children. We put everything into them. No one is going to smile and say thank you when you tell us you didn't like something we worked months on. Sorry. We are human. We. Are. Human.
S. C.
www.sc-wynne.com
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