Let’s Talk About Reader Reviews

There are lots of opinions about reader reviews and authors responding to them.  Lots of things to say.  I’m not going to give all the arguments on all sides.  I’m just going to say what I think.

I love ‘em!  I need ‘em!  I’m addicted to ‘em!  I appreciate ‘em!

So that’s why I say, “Thanks,” when I see one.  I check Amazon every single flippin’ day to see if there are new ones.  Several times a day.  I read them over and over.  I soak up every word, every syllable.  When I read a particularly good one, I rush off to my writing cave and write some more.  They inspire me and validate my existence as a writer.  They are my drugs and I am definitely addicted.  There is no 12-step program that will help me, and I don’t want one.

I have, on occasion, received a low-star review.  My response is less enthusiastic.  I get sad.  I feel for about a minute that I’m fooling myself to think I can write anything but drivel.  I start to wonder if I’ve been deluding myself.  I ask my husband if I’m really living in a mental institution where everyone humors me and I’ve imagined all these great reviews and the fact that I’m even selling books. I ask him if it’s time for more shock treatments.

Then I read the review again and see if I can pick out anything that will help me be better next time.

And I slog off to my writing cave and try to be awesome for somebody.

Why am I telling you this?  Because I wanted ya’ll to know how much I appreciate you taking the time to not only read my books, but to talk about them – online or to your friends or whatever.  Hey, feel free to talk to the guy sitting next to you on the plane, bus, or train, if the spirit moves you … or in the waiting room at the doctor’s office.  I won’t mind.

Maybe someday, that person will leave me a review that makes me feel like a successful writer.  One of those that tells me that if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up anymore.

xoxo Elle