On-line troll reviews abound

cj Sez: Happy Father’sDay to all fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, and adoptive fathers. And toall the fathers in heaven: You are dearly missed, every day. 

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From the Lyrical Pens Archives:
  A fellow writer was grieving and questioning what to doabout a one-star review on Amazon that complained about something that wasn’tin her novel. Obviously, the reviewer hadn’t even read the book.
  One- and two-star reviews can be devastating, for futuresales and for the author. Wherever there’s an opportunity to post a review,there will be trolls ready and waiting with low ratings—whether they’rewarranted or not. I’ve seen reviews by people who purchased an item on Amazonthen rated the product one star because they thought delivery took too long.Had nothing to do with the quality of the product.
  So where am I going with all this? It’s to reinforce whycomments and reviews need to be put in perspective. Don’t let the naysayerspersuade you that your work isn’t good. Hiding behind the computer keyboards ofthe Internet are nameless, faceless, and wretched on-line trolls. (Whew! I feelbetter now.)
  We can’t realistically expect all reviews to be five-stars(okay, we do, but that’s beside the point). I admit to having desperate pangswhen someone dings a story. Yes, it skews the “average,” but then I re-read thegood reviews that I do have (some posted, some not) and calm down a bit. 
  Iremind myself that I cannot please every reader out there. There will always besomeone who dislikes some characterization, challenges some datum, or isoffended by piece of history. Always. Duh. That’s the reason there are agazillion different stories in multiple genres for the gazillion differentreaders.
  If you receive a poor review from an on-line troll, considerthe source, and please do not respond to the reviewer. That could dig a deeper,darker hole than you want to dive into. In the meantime, if you’re like me,you’ll console yourself with a treat.
 My favorite dessert: A hot fudge creampuff, with caramel pecan ice cream, and I have therecipe for those big, delicious creampuffs!
  Speaking of reviews: Have you taken a few minutes to give aone-line, on-line review for the latest book you read? You might be able torefute some troll.
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  On a personal note: My minivan finally gave up the ghost,and I had to get a new vehicle. Can’t imagine why it quit. It’s only 16 yearsold. I was hoping and praying it would last a few more years. My mechanicdiagnosed the engine of the Town and Country as terminal in April, and I placedan order to lease a 2024 Chrysler Pacifica minivan in a deep blue color called“Fathom Blue Pearl.”
Thanks to son, Jeff, for the glamor shot.  I picked it up Friday. It’s beautiful, and it's loaded—and Imean, really loaded—with all kinds of 21st-century electronic buttons and knobson the instrument panel that I have no clue how to operate. 
  The first thing Ineeded to do was change the time on the clock—yet to be accomplished. I’vealways claimed to love learning new things (NOT computer things), so we’ll seeif this vehicle beats me. (Ain’t gonna happen.)
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  By the by, as the invitation on the masthead of Lyrical Pens says, if you havea book you want to promote, old or new, let me know. We can arrange a blog datefor your book tour…the only caveat is that this site is PG 13.§§
  Okay, that’s it fortoday. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raisingprayers for a happy and safe you and yours.
cj
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➜ Follow me on       ➜ Amazon:    AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6