Worst Book Ever #mfrwauthor

Welcome to week 14. The topic is a sensitive one--Bad Reviews. Or more specifically "What I Learned From My Worst Review." To have a worst review means you have to have bad reviews, something no author ever wants to have.

In the case of reviews, I'm thinking of a one-star. The star wasn't earned because of bad writing or poor production but solely as a means to denigrate another author. In this case the consensus of those contacted one-star and negative comments were a means to promote a friend who was in direct competition. One thing I've learned after decades as a writer is that trolls don't just exist in fairy tales.

The second worst review was not on a published piece but a draft--and the comments were from a member of a critique group. The vicious tirade started in the second paragraph and ended at the bottom of the first page with "Rewrite everything" and ended with "I can't read anymore."


Now as to what was learned?

Look at the person behind the words.
Are they a reader or a writer?In your genre or another? If a writer, are they experienced or someone full of themselves as they await their first release? Think the old addage of "Hire a teenager while they still know it all."Any obvious prejudices? Has the reviewer trashed other books in your genre?Other examples of prejudice is that women can't be leaders. Or, there can't be any romantic element in a fantasy. You get the idea. 

There is one train of thought to avoid reading reviews and another is to read every one. If you read them and the criticism makes sense, consider incorporating it into either that work or future ones if it will enhance the piece.

I'll end the post with the note I include with my critiques.

Don't worry about the amount of blue or number of comments. It often takes longer to ask a question or explain a thought than the few words you might decide to delete or add. I realize the suggestions I made might be in my voice. They are just food for thought. Use or toss as you will. There is no need to defend or justify anything. Ultimately the piece is your vision.

Thanks for stopping by. It's a hop so be sure to visit the other authors in the challenge. ~till next time, Helen