Do writers read reviews?
Some don’t. I do. I read all of them–good, bad, and ugly.
Am I a masochist? No, but I love to learn, and reading reviews helps me do that. I get to know my readers better. When a reviewer likes my book, I smile with a great deal of pleasure because it means my hard work “paid off” in terms of reaching a reader’s heart and mind.
When a reviewer hates my book, I tell myself, clearly, this person is not my ideal reader. Not every reader likes every writer. Not every reader will understand what I intended for that story. That’s just a fact of life.
And when a reader likes some things and doesn’t like some other things, I listen to what they have to say. After all, they are the reason I invested all those months of hard work. Sometimes I’ll write something that’s too realistic or too gritty for some readers, but fine for others–and at that point, I have to decide what the story requires. I try never to be too explicit–no sense in glorifying evil, is there?–but if you don’t portray evil as evil, then you’ve whitewashed reality.
When writing for religious readers, I have to be mindful that some folks believe one thing, and some folks another. When that’s the case, I try to be true to the Scriptures and let the reader take from the story what they will.
Every writer reflects his or her personal viewpoint and worldview–and most people tend to read writers with whom they agree. I often read writers with whom I disagree, just to see where they’re coming from. Paul, apostle to the Gentiles, took pains to understand the people he preached to. He knew their customs, their beliefs, and their gods. And he used what he had learned to meet them where they were.
So know this–reader reviews are important. Not only do they persuade other people to buy–or not buy–a book, but they can also teach the writers who wrote the book. Your words are important, too.
So when you read a book you have strong feelings about, leave a review. The writer will–and should–thank you. Even if the two of you don’t agree.
