A Little Kindness
I'd like to ask a favor, please...
I'm just about done with the last edits on Show Me Yours, my second free Love is Always Write story. In avoiding those edits (because I loathe revising and am always looking for excuses to delay it) I've looked at some of the other LiAW stories that have come out. There are some wonderful pieces of work, and others less to my taste. But already, there is more great free reading than I have time for.
The other less-pleasant thing that struck me as I looked around was how many of them had at least one pretty-harsh review.
I want to ask you all, as you read these, to remember what this M/M Romance writing event is about.
Some of us are professionals - you have every right to expect my writing to be up to whatever standards you are looking for. If you don't like my style, if you hate one of my characters, disbelieve my plot, get bored or, hell, if you hate the color of socks my MC wears, feel free to review my story as harshly as you choose. Almost every story I've ever written has received 1-star ratings from someone. That's your right and privilege. Maybe you'll warn off other readers who hate pedantic language or green socks. Go for it.
But some of the writers for this event are putting their work in the public eye for the very first time. We ask them to do this. As Group members, we coax, and encourage, and tell them how much fun it will be. We push them to expose their creative baby to the world even if they're feeling a little unsure. And they do.
People who have never written a short story before work for a month and a half, and then tentatively, anxiously, and with tender pride, present the result to us. For free.
And some reviewers are writing reviews with one star, or exclamations points and bold letters about how wrong/bad/not to their taste the story was. I'm a pro and these would be painful for me, but they'd be part of the deal. For these new writers it seems unfair.
I'm not asking you to lie and say a story you didn't like was wonderful. I'm definitely not asking you to perjure yourself or misrepresent your tastes. All I'm asking for is a little kindness towards the amateurs and first-timers who are giving you the gift of their efforts.
Before you rate a story you didn't like, go look at the author page. If this is the only story listed, if the author has never charged anyone for their writing, be kind. If you hate the story, do you really even need to write that review? No one is losing money buying these. If someone else is going to hate it too, they'll know soon enough. If that review is going to be all about the story's failings, maybe you can just mark it as "read" and move on.
If you're determined to write your analysis of a story and it's not favorable, be polite. Don't highlight and underline it. If you can, round your stars up and not down. Find something, anything, that you did like to mention. These new writers spent many, many hours of effort, sweat and emotion in the creation of their story. (If you think that's an exaggeration, you go write one and see how demanding that first effort can be.) Perhaps in your eyes they failed. But give them some leeway and courtesy for the effort. It was a gift to you. You don't have to like it, but don't throw it back in the giver's face.
Please keep it generous, keep it kind, so I can feel truthful next year when I say to a newbie, "Try it. It's a lot of fun."
I'm just about done with the last edits on Show Me Yours, my second free Love is Always Write story. In avoiding those edits (because I loathe revising and am always looking for excuses to delay it) I've looked at some of the other LiAW stories that have come out. There are some wonderful pieces of work, and others less to my taste. But already, there is more great free reading than I have time for.
The other less-pleasant thing that struck me as I looked around was how many of them had at least one pretty-harsh review.
I want to ask you all, as you read these, to remember what this M/M Romance writing event is about.
Some of us are professionals - you have every right to expect my writing to be up to whatever standards you are looking for. If you don't like my style, if you hate one of my characters, disbelieve my plot, get bored or, hell, if you hate the color of socks my MC wears, feel free to review my story as harshly as you choose. Almost every story I've ever written has received 1-star ratings from someone. That's your right and privilege. Maybe you'll warn off other readers who hate pedantic language or green socks. Go for it.
But some of the writers for this event are putting their work in the public eye for the very first time. We ask them to do this. As Group members, we coax, and encourage, and tell them how much fun it will be. We push them to expose their creative baby to the world even if they're feeling a little unsure. And they do.
People who have never written a short story before work for a month and a half, and then tentatively, anxiously, and with tender pride, present the result to us. For free.
And some reviewers are writing reviews with one star, or exclamations points and bold letters about how wrong/bad/not to their taste the story was. I'm a pro and these would be painful for me, but they'd be part of the deal. For these new writers it seems unfair.
I'm not asking you to lie and say a story you didn't like was wonderful. I'm definitely not asking you to perjure yourself or misrepresent your tastes. All I'm asking for is a little kindness towards the amateurs and first-timers who are giving you the gift of their efforts.
Before you rate a story you didn't like, go look at the author page. If this is the only story listed, if the author has never charged anyone for their writing, be kind. If you hate the story, do you really even need to write that review? No one is losing money buying these. If someone else is going to hate it too, they'll know soon enough. If that review is going to be all about the story's failings, maybe you can just mark it as "read" and move on.
If you're determined to write your analysis of a story and it's not favorable, be polite. Don't highlight and underline it. If you can, round your stars up and not down. Find something, anything, that you did like to mention. These new writers spent many, many hours of effort, sweat and emotion in the creation of their story. (If you think that's an exaggeration, you go write one and see how demanding that first effort can be.) Perhaps in your eyes they failed. But give them some leeway and courtesy for the effort. It was a gift to you. You don't have to like it, but don't throw it back in the giver's face.
Please keep it generous, keep it kind, so I can feel truthful next year when I say to a newbie, "Try it. It's a lot of fun."
jeayci wrote: "Also, don't be surprised if my next round of comments has one about the color of someone's socks (or the fact that the color isn't mentioned, dammit, and that's a very important detail to overlook!). ..."The guys are at the beach - they don't wear socks. And thanks for the title :)
They're not on the beach the whole time. I'm sure there are some socks in there somewhere... and if there aren't, well then, that obviously ruins the whole story! ;)And you're welcome, it was fun brain-storming! :)
I do that as well, jeayci, just act as though I haven't read the ones I don't care for. Seems kindest since I don't feel qualified to give advice on how to make stories better.
Also, I will now have to stop reading and laugh out loud next time Kaje specifically mentions someone's socks in a book :)
Also, I will now have to stop reading and laugh out loud next time Kaje specifically mentions someone's socks in a book :)
Well said, Kaje. Being one of those newbies this year, I appreciate the effort. Sadly, I think it's probably not going to work (I'm optimistic like that). But I will say it's nice to know there are authors (and readers) like you out there being supportive and kind. I've been truly stunned by a few of those reviews. It will no doubt happen to me and my story. I'm old and full of all kinds of 'whatever, dude, if that's what makes you feel good about yourself,' so... whatever. But many of these writers are young and fresh and just want to share something they made with us. And you know that 100 5 star ratings don't go very far to counteract the 'what a pile of shit' comment someone oh, so cleverly dropped on their review, and there's nothing you can say that makes that go away.
But - for what it's worth - I will say I honestly believe the majority of us are more offended than amused, so I think the writers receiving these reviews should know that they have far more of us behind them - and applauding them - than they might think.
ETA: To be clear, the 'pile of shit' comment is just an example. I chose not to use an actual quote because, well, I think that's obvious. :)
Personally, I'll never understand the need to be very sarcastic and mean in a review. I rated books I didn't like, I gave one or two stars, but I've always tried, and always will try, to be polite and show some kindness. I always try to point out something I did like even in a bad review. And if there was really nothing, I still try to be gentle. It doesn't take much effort to be respectful of an author's feelings. I've never seen the point in trying to be as mean as possible. Personally, if I encounter a review that's particularly mean, I just skip it. Reading "what a pile of shit", as someone above mentioned, doesn't help him understand if I could like that book or not...This is even more important for me if I'm reading an author's first book/story. I wouldn't find any pleasure in demolishing a new author's hopes.
I hope those people who are writing these free stories, which I really appreciate, won't let some bad reviews keep them from writing more in future.
I can't agree with you on this point Kaje. I haven't read any of the LiaW stories nor their reviews because I know my own tastes and short stories, in particular by newbie authors, are not what I enjoy. But I don't appreciate this author construct that 'kind' people write positive/appreciative reviews because it implies that people who write negative reviews are 'unkind'. I'm not an unkind person and I've written my share of bad reviews for shoddy books. I strongly believe that people should write exactly how they feel after reading a book. I don't think a reader has any obligation to look at an author's profile to see if they have to 'take it easy' on them. It reminds me of all those bad contestants that can't sing a note who audition for shows like American Idol. They are completely oblivious to the fact that they have no talent because their friends and family have always put their feelings above the truth. Of course when they get a harsh response they fall apart.
Maybe if you guys (the writers with more experience and talent) were more honest with these newbies when first reading their badly written first drafts, they wouldn't be so hurt/surprised when the bad reviews arrive. I think you all are so concentrated on being a cheersquad for wannabe writers that you may have caused some of the problems which rise up when readers are faced with a really substandard product. Hope this doesn't offend you (because I really am kind!) I just want to give my thoughts. :)
MandyM wrote: "It reminds me of all those bad contestants that can't sing a note who audition for shows like American Idol. They are completely oblivious to the fact that they have no talent because their friends and family have always put their feelings above the truth. Of course when they get a harsh response they fall apart."I think the difference here is that no one sees LiAW as a springboard to a writing career. It's not American Idol, it's karaoke with friends ... honestly who wants to do karaoke with Simon Cowell barking and rolling his eyes at you?
Okay, I've written many a snarky review. I love them. But I agree completely with Kaje here. The fact that all the stories are free and it was open to people who aren't interested in being writers but just wanted to do something fun makes some of the reviews I've seen look in really bad taste. You can still be honest, but it's not necessary to critique everything.
What MandyM said. More to the point, I think it's kinda insulting that reviewers should treat new writers any differently than established ones. It's like somehow they're beneath the standard or something. Not an intended implication, but an implication nonetheless. My two cents there. =)Manuela wrote: "Personally, I'll never understand the need to be very sarcastic and mean in a review."
That's how some people (like me) react when they're angry. It's why people laugh when a tragedy occur or cry when something happy happens. Reading can be a very personal experience, just as much as the author writing the book we read. When I read, I feel.
MandyM wrote: "I can't agree with you on this point Kaje. I haven't read any of the LiaW stories nor their reviews because I know my own tastes and short stories, in particular by newbie authors, are not what I e..."I'm sorry to hear that. I do feel there is a difference between a book someone has asked you to pay for, and a first time story by a newbie author in a venue specifically set up to encourage inexperienced and tentative members to participate. And I'm not equating kindness with lying. I asked you to try to find something positive to offset your comments, not invent virtues that aren't there.
I'm not asking for a cheering squad, just for reviewers to avoid sarcasm, over-emphasis and harshness in this case. If that is compromising your principles, you must of course do as you see fit. (Believe me though, no one is encouraged to think they are wonderful if you turn a one-star "this is total crap" review into a two-star "this author needs more time to reach a professional level" review, or even no review at all.)
Also I'm pretty sure there's a large contingent of people who are going to ~HATE~ my story :D So perhaps I should teach the newbies how to roll those one-stars up into a joint and smoke 'em.
Isa wrote: "... honestly who wants to do karaoke with Simon Cowell barking and rolling his eyes at you?"... I kinda would. We could trade snarks.
Isa wrote: "Also I'm pretty sure there's a large contingent of people who are going to ~HATE~ my story :D So perhaps I should teach the newbies how to roll those one-stars up into a joint and smoke 'em."I disapprove of recreational drug use, but I'll give you an exception. =D
Experiment BL626 wrote: "I think it's kinda insulting that reviewers should treat new writers any differently than established ones. It's like somehow they're beneath the standard or something. Not an intended implication, but an implication nonetheless. My two cents there. =)..."That may be true; and I hope many of the newbie stories will be so good that one doesn't have to think twice. In most venues like self-pub I also don't think there should be a distinction.
I'm talking specifically about LiAW here. I just know how we have encouraged people who were unsure to try their hand. That's a little different from someone who decides on their own to write a story and publish it in a more public venue.
Isa wrote: "Also I'm pretty sure there's a large contingent of people who are going to ~HATE~ my story :D So perhaps I should teach the newbies how to roll those one-stars up into a joint and smoke 'em."Sounds good - I might join you. (I can accept those 1-stars as my due, but they might go down better smoked.)
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Isa wrote: "... honestly who wants to do karaoke with Simon Cowell barking and rolling his eyes at you?"... I kinda would. We could trade snarks."
See... only if he sings too. Then maybe, because I suspect that man can't carry a tune with a forklift.
Isa wrote: "See... only if he sings too. Then maybe, because I suspect that man can't carry a tune with a forklift."Never entertain the idea that he could be a good singer. One don't have to be a good musician in order to work in the music industry. =P
Kaje wrote: "I'm talking specifically about LiAW here. I just know how we have encouraged people who were unsure to try their hand."I think a comparison to fanfiction would hold water.
Kaje wrote: "Sounds good - I might join you. (I can accept those 1-stars as my due, but they might go down better smoked.)"Isa, you're bad influencing Kaje. =/
Gonna derail this thread with a PSA:
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Kaje wrote: "Sounds good - I might join you. (I can accept those 1-stars as my due, but they might go down better smoked.)"Isa, you're bad influencing Kaje. =/
Gonna derail this thread with a PSA..."
LOL - I'm a goody-two-shoes in real life; but I can think about it.
So I can keep my cigars as long as I set myself on fire first? .... I can live with that :D I only have one every six months at most. That's plenty of time for the third degree burns to heal!
Oh, I disagree with this. Vehemently.Lately there seems to be a lot of people who want to tell others how they should review the books they read. Say this, don't say this, give stars, don't give stars, speak up, stay quiet, on and on the list goes. It all boils down to people trying to tell other people what to do.
I've read one LiAW story. I didn't like it and I said so in my review. I bolded the title of my review as I do with almost all of my reviews. It was my right to review the story, since that is what Goodreads is for, however I saw fit. Goodreads does not say that I can only give a negative review if I've paid for a book. It doesn't say that I can only use HTML is I've paid for a story. Except for prohibiting people from making comments that are racist, bigoted, etc. Goodreads doesn't dictate how people should write their reviews at all.
I don't see my using Goodreads for the reason it was created as throwing someone's gift back in their face, being impolite or anything along those lines. Goodreads is a place for friends to talk about books and it's sad when people start thinking it's okay tell others what's appropriate to say to their friends. It feels a lot like people are policing others' discourse about books and trying to create rules that they have no right creating.
Blip wrote: "Yep, I'm an evil bad book hater. I'll keep reviewing as such...."
I didn't say that, although you can claim it if you like. There is nothing evil or bad about having high standards, although there are ways to express those that vary. The LiAW editing was also amateur volunteers, BTW, so "LiAW has been edited" is a bit of an overstatement.
But this is all purely voluntary and I expected some folks to say no. I never said you have any obligation. Remember how this post opened? I asked you for a favor. There is no obligation to even be civil, if that's not your style.
I was just hoping those who were on the fence, and maybe unaware of what a community event this is, would be moved to be a little more gentle in their handling of bad reviews.
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Do shots instead."
Those are starting to look good, except I'm a freaking lightweight in the drink department too. Hemingway would be ashamed of me, if he didn't die laughing at my prose first. Someone else will have to do the shots for me. Or pass them around to the newbies.
Yeah, I did just "like" this blog post. Now before my very candid GR friends start unfriending me, let me explain my position:In general, I think that reviewing is an art form that can be fun, sarcastic, loud, bitter, angry, etc. Be honest, and bring it. But I do see a difference here. Regardless of whether these authors are using this platform as a springboard, maybe a lot of them are also looking for experience and feedback. Maybe they really can improve, and they just need constructive (and honest) feedback to get motivated to do that. I'm willing to give them that.
I don't need everyone to agree with me on this, but this is me weighing in.
Blip wrote: "Isa wrote: "I think the difference here is that no one sees LiAW as a springboard to a writing career."That is not true. I have talked with several participants of LiAW who participate in it for ..."
Well you are free to review how ever you like, obviously. I just think there's a big difference between something put up where the author had all the time in the world to work on it, could do whatever she wanted with it ... and a game where people are given a short period of time to answer writing prompts that can be very specific and restrictive. I feel treating it like a serious piece of work is contrary to the spirit of the event and reflects poorly on the reviewer, even if some of the stories are quite good. But, you know, obviously many people disagree on this.
Like all reviews, LiAW reviews are only as useful as the audience thinks they are. I'm sure some people will appreciate your integrity, but some are going to think you're a spoilsport taking a game way too seriously. If that doesn't bother you then there's no reason to change your approach.
The thing is, the authors and the readers will always be in opposite direction. Readers cannot teach authors to write just as well as authors cannot force readers not to speak their mind (in any way they want to, either being harsh, being cynical, being polite, or being constructive). I don't think it will ever get to the middle ground where each side agree. There will always those who don't. SO, here's my two cents, Kaje. I think Isa has a point when she said "So perhaps I should teach the newbies how to roll those one-stars up into a joint and smoke 'em.".
Instead of asking the readers to think about these new authors, and be kind on their thoughts, in regards to the LiAW event, I think it will be more useful for authors to use this event to help these newbies on how to deal with "painful" side of being an author, including how to deal with hurtful reviews. I think it will be a great starting point.
Just like when you teach your kids that there will always be pain in the world, but it's how you can deal with it and how to act on it and not to be a part of it.
You can always ask a favor for readers to be kind, but trust me, there will always those who don't agree with you. Then it will blow up into something of massive nuclear proportion of readers vs. authors perspective (which I already feel it's starting) ...
--- and that's the only comment I will put on this post, I'm going back to those books I still have on pile
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Someone is a masochist. "Hey the male nurses in ICU are cute :3 What's a girl to do?
Ami wrote: "I think it will be more useful for authors to use this event to help these newbies on how to deal with "painful" side of being an author, including how to deal with hurtful reviews...."We made a good start here with the smoking and the shots, no? This is a good point, and I definitely didn't and don't want people getting into another war over right and wrong vis a vis reviews.
People will do as they choose, and everyone has that right. I guess I've been driven by my feelings of responsibility in having encouraged new writers to consider this a fun and casual opportunity. I wanted to point out that there was a reason to choose a little more supportively in this case. I'm sure others will see it differently.
Isa wrote: "I think the difference here is that no one sees LiAW as a springboard to a writing career. "I don't think this is true at all. I think a LOT of them do. And they wouldn't be wrong. This genre is so flooded right now that I have to be extremely careful about buying books by authors I haven't read before, and I'm not the only one. New authors are going to be much more successful in this genre if they release something for free the first time. And they know it.
Isa wrote: "Experiment BL626 wrote: "Someone is a masochist. "Hey the male nurses in ICU are cute :3 What's a girl to do?"
Burns seem like a painful way to get there though - you couldn't have a fainting spell or something?
Nichole (Dirty H) wrote: "New authors are going to be much more successful in this genre if they release something for free the first time. And they know it."My own experience doesn't support this. I've always found it harder to get people to read something for free (so basically... 70% of my stuff hahahah), but that may just be me.
Kaje wrote: "Isa wrote: "Experiment BL626 wrote: "Someone is a masochist. "
Hey the male nurses in ICU are cute :3 What's a girl to do?"
Burns seem like a painful way to get there though - you couldn't have a..."
Oh but a good cigar is such a pleasure :D And plus I'm like ... 60% Scotch whiskey on any given day. By the time the flames burn through all the alcohol, I'm sure someone will be along to hose me down.
Kaje wrote: "Burns seem like a painful way to get there though - you couldn't have a fainting spell or something?"LOL. How very Victorian Era-ish.
Excuse my book geek self, but this thread is like one big showdown between the Candor faction and the Abnegation faction. Those who read Divergent knows what I'm talking about. ;)
♥Laddie♥ wrote: "Goodreads is a place for friends to talk about books and it's sad when people start thinking it's okay tell others what's appropriate to say to their friends. It feels a lot like people are policing others' discourse about books and trying to create rules that they have no right creating. ..."Although I would argue that reviews are public discourse and not private chat, you are putting words in my mouth. No rules. No obligation. No policing.
No demands or controls or insistence. You have every right to free speech, in private or in a public venue, whichever you consider this to be.
This was simple request to consider a specific situation. You considered and rejected my favor - that is your privilege and not something to fight over. I asked. You said no. Some people will say yes. Because of that subset, I will feel marginally less guilty for pushing a reluctant person to try their hand at my game. We all win.
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Excuse my book geek self, but this thread is like one big showdown between the Candor faction and the Abnegation faction. Those who read Divergent knows what I'm talking about. ;)"I can get down with this--as long as I get to be Tris's mother. She was my favorite!
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Excuse my book geek self, but this thread is like one big showdown between the Candor faction and the Abnegation faction. Those who read Divergent knows what I'm talking about. ;)"Every time I see anything about Divergent all I can think is that someone needs to sweep in and save Max Irons from being fancast in every single YA novel for the rest of his life *lol*
Of course someone might also want to get him some sort of muzzle so he stops gnawing on the scenery long enough to actually get a decent part ... but whatever.
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Excuse my book geek self, but this thread is like one big showdown between the Candor faction and the Abnegation faction. Those who read Divergent knows what I'm talking about. ;)..."
We love book geeks - should I put that one on my TBR's?
Alicia wrote: "I can get down with this--as long as I get to be Tris's mother. She was my favorite!"Why? She didn't have much of a role beside being a big influence on Tris. Plus, the Abnegation faction is losing. :P
Kaje wrote: "♥Laddie♥ wrote: "Goodreads is a place for friends to talk about books and it's sad when people start thinking it's okay tell others what's appropriate to say to their friends. It feels a lot like p..."For the record, I wasn't attempting to fight. I simply felt strongly.
ETA Val wrote: :"I think it's important to the overall environment of Goodreads to accept that reviewers are free to review however they want to. If there is too much rule-setting or too much peer pressure for people to conform to a certain way of reviewing, no one will want to do it anymore."
I totally agree with the above. A few people have left GR because they felt pressured. so, yeah, I agree.
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Why? She didn't have much of a role beside being a big influence on Tris. Plus, the Abnegation faction is losing. :P"I didn't love Divergent. Mostly, I thought people didn't exemplify the traits they were meant to. (Maybe that was the point, but it annoyed the stuffing out of me either way.) But Tris's mother, she was selfless . . . and brave--everything Tris was supposed to be. She was my hero in the book. Tris was kind of blah for me.
I think many of us are weary of authors telling us how to review. I know I am! But I didn't read this post that way. I read it as an author requesting - as a favor, not a requirement - that readers think before reviewing these particular stories. Because they fit in a different context than we're used to, with stories we buy. Or even stories put up for free after the author has had as much time to polish as they wanted.I love the karaoke/Simon Cowell analogy!
I certainly don't hesitate to post 1-star reviews when I think they're warranted. But I did pause to negatively review one of the LiAW stories by a new author, because it felt like a whole other ballgame to me.
It is interesting to read the range of opinions. And as in much of life, there's a continuum from a $12 big publisher ebook, to $5 small publisher books, to free self pubs, to author website freebies, to LiAW, to the little snippets the kids on my YA LGBT group post here on GR for us to read. Everyone chooses the point, if any, at which they ease back on criticism. There is no one right answer.
Kaje wrote: "We love book geeks - should I put that one on my TBR's?"Sorry for derailing your thread. :3 Yes, TBR it. You will either like the book or hate it. It's worth a glance.
Book description for anyone too lazy to click to another webpage:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.
@Val
Yeah, both PoVs are valid. It's more like how honest do you want to be versus how kind do you to appear. Honesty borders the territory of incivility; kindness the territory of deception.
Wow, difficult to keep up with the comments in this thread! My comment above seemed relevant when I started typing it but seems a bit redundant by the time it posted. Oh well.
Kaje wrote: "And as of much in life, there's a continuum from a $12 big publisher ebook to $5 small publisher books to free self pubs to author website freebies to LiAW to the little snippets the kids on my YA LGBT group post here on GR for us to read. Everyone chooses the point, if any, at which they ease back on criticism. There is no one right answer."Well said!
Experiment BL626 wrote: "Kaje wrote: "We love book geeks - should I put that one on my TBR's?"Sorry for derailing your thread. :3 Yes, TBR it. You will either like the book or hate it. It's worth a glance.
Book descrip..."
No problem - one of the pleasures of this place is to derail threads with book-references. I'll have to check it out :)
I'll tell you what, lately I have just been removing bad books from my read list if I just simply thought they were lame. BUT, I am completely tired of authors telling me how to behave. I'm sorry, Kaje. But the more I am told what to do, how to converse with my friends and how to communicate my opinions, the more likely I am to write exactly what I am thinking about a book. Way too many authors in this growing genre think we all owe them some fidelity to dismiss their poor quality writing because we all like reading MM. Ugh, some of the crap that gets published is exactly why we get sick of being nice.
Yes, they are writing for free. But they are posting their work on the darn internet. Of course, they are going to get negative reviews. They are dealing with the world! If they can't take a couple of 2 stars and snarky remarks then they need to stop putting their work out to the public.
We don't need to coddle them like they are in kindergarten and just polished off their first set of ABCs.
jeayci wrote: "Wow, difficult to keep up with the comments in this thread! My comment above seemed relevant when I started typing it but seems a bit redundant by the time it posted. Oh well."Ha! Join the club. =D
But the imp in me (or perhaps just the bit still drinking my coffee) is doing a happy dance because you finally have a name! And what a fantastic name it is, too! ;p And you're almost done with the edits, yay!
Also, don't be surprised if my next round of comments has one about the color of someone's socks (or the fact that the color isn't mentioned, dammit, and that's a very important detail to overlook!).