Dear Diary, This Is Me.
July 9th, 2025
Entry #1
I just got my first hate review on my debut novel...how am I handling it?
Hey there peeps!
Well, this certainly was not on the agenda for my next post, but in the spirit of relearning who I am, why not take a look at how I am going to approach feedback towards myself, and my work, in the future?
I kind of signed up to be scrutinized when I made the bold declaration of “I am going to be an author!” However, that does not necessarily prepare one for the shock of an individual boldly claiming they hate a part of yourself, because that is, in short, what a book you wrote is.
In the past, I would have responded by shutting down, crying for at least a week, and giving up. Back in my first attempted Holy Bliss days, I refused any kind of criticism. No beta readers, no feedback of any kind, no editing tips. So, it IS a wonder this novel has some of the problems it does, doesn't it?
Nevertheless, Holy Bliss is my baby. And like a proud mother, I want to defend my child. But I also want what’s best for my little nugget, and sometimes that means being harsh. So, let’s look at some things Violet Anderson said with a grain of salt, as now, in my advanced four years since publication, I find harsh criticism to be extremely helpful.
First, Holy Bliss, as the reviewer said *you can look her up on Goodreads if you want to, I won’t be deleting it*, “was written by an inexperienced author.” Since it was my first attempt at being a novelist, how could it be portrayed as anything else? I wrote HB in three weeks, published it in its first draft form, and it DEFINTELY shows, I agree with you there, which is the number one reason I pulled it off the market a year later.
Second, “the protagonist is annoying.” Ask my bestie how many times I have said the same thing about Landon Chalk; Boy absolutely irks me. 🤣 I ended up changing MC’s in the new draft I am working on, and its done wonders.
Third, “You can tell that the other reviewers are her friends and family, and are very fond of coddling her.” Well, I would sure hope that my close relations are supportive! Although, it does not come in handy when you need harsh truths, you got me there.
Fourth, and my personal favorite, “Emily McCormick, you have no real talent and should not dream of picking up the pen again. I hope this review helps you refocus your goals and find something else to do with your life.” I mean...it definitely reminded me that not everyone is going to love my work, but seriously, give a debut girl a break! I do still need to grow; it would be quite premature of me to quit dreaming of my words so soon.
Fifth and final comment I will be sharing, “This author likes to go on the internet and copy everything other indie authors are doing and has no real creativity.” Again, first attempt. I took inspiration from the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. But to say I go on the internet for my ideas? Ha. I go to other books and Pinterest, thank you very much. *snarky bow* Mortal Instruments is not Indie either, ma’am.
In all seriousness, though, I won’t pretend that Violet Anderson’s words did not sting, because of course they did, but I don’t disagree with her either. Well, except for the fact that I should retire, cause ain’t no way you get to influence what God has called me to do, lady.
What I am taking away from this is that I have a lot of growing to do, more so than I did in my four-year-studying-the-craft hiatus. Except, I have something far more precious now than I did back then: hope.
Hope is a hard thing to find and a hard thing to kill. Hope is the steppingstone for everything. I know several indies who have liked what I’ve written in the past few weeks, and a paper that states I was the top student in my Creative Writing College Class with a 4.0 and favoritism from my English teacher. Should my hope ever fail, I have physical evidence that backs up my dreams being plausible.
If nothing else, dear readers, let this be a reminder that another’s opinion of you can be important, but it should not define your entire personality, your self-worth, or your confidence. I am glad that FINALLY someone else acknowledges the flaws that Holy Bliss has, but it does not change who I am or who I want to be.
It will make the rerelease that much more spectacular, though, don’t you agree?
One last thing, since it seems like a good time to announce this. If you have read this far, I thank you and I am proud to announce that HOLY BLISS IS MAKING A COMEBACK! I have started writing it again, and all you should know as of now is that if you did happen to read the original story, forget everything about it. This tale now belongs to Tyler Morgan and Ginger Cane, and it is next to nothing like how I told it the first time around.
Sincerely,
Emily R. McCormick
Entry #1
I just got my first hate review on my debut novel...how am I handling it?
Hey there peeps!
Well, this certainly was not on the agenda for my next post, but in the spirit of relearning who I am, why not take a look at how I am going to approach feedback towards myself, and my work, in the future?
I kind of signed up to be scrutinized when I made the bold declaration of “I am going to be an author!” However, that does not necessarily prepare one for the shock of an individual boldly claiming they hate a part of yourself, because that is, in short, what a book you wrote is.
In the past, I would have responded by shutting down, crying for at least a week, and giving up. Back in my first attempted Holy Bliss days, I refused any kind of criticism. No beta readers, no feedback of any kind, no editing tips. So, it IS a wonder this novel has some of the problems it does, doesn't it?
Nevertheless, Holy Bliss is my baby. And like a proud mother, I want to defend my child. But I also want what’s best for my little nugget, and sometimes that means being harsh. So, let’s look at some things Violet Anderson said with a grain of salt, as now, in my advanced four years since publication, I find harsh criticism to be extremely helpful.
First, Holy Bliss, as the reviewer said *you can look her up on Goodreads if you want to, I won’t be deleting it*, “was written by an inexperienced author.” Since it was my first attempt at being a novelist, how could it be portrayed as anything else? I wrote HB in three weeks, published it in its first draft form, and it DEFINTELY shows, I agree with you there, which is the number one reason I pulled it off the market a year later.
Second, “the protagonist is annoying.” Ask my bestie how many times I have said the same thing about Landon Chalk; Boy absolutely irks me. 🤣 I ended up changing MC’s in the new draft I am working on, and its done wonders.
Third, “You can tell that the other reviewers are her friends and family, and are very fond of coddling her.” Well, I would sure hope that my close relations are supportive! Although, it does not come in handy when you need harsh truths, you got me there.
Fourth, and my personal favorite, “Emily McCormick, you have no real talent and should not dream of picking up the pen again. I hope this review helps you refocus your goals and find something else to do with your life.” I mean...it definitely reminded me that not everyone is going to love my work, but seriously, give a debut girl a break! I do still need to grow; it would be quite premature of me to quit dreaming of my words so soon.
Fifth and final comment I will be sharing, “This author likes to go on the internet and copy everything other indie authors are doing and has no real creativity.” Again, first attempt. I took inspiration from the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. But to say I go on the internet for my ideas? Ha. I go to other books and Pinterest, thank you very much. *snarky bow* Mortal Instruments is not Indie either, ma’am.
In all seriousness, though, I won’t pretend that Violet Anderson’s words did not sting, because of course they did, but I don’t disagree with her either. Well, except for the fact that I should retire, cause ain’t no way you get to influence what God has called me to do, lady.
What I am taking away from this is that I have a lot of growing to do, more so than I did in my four-year-studying-the-craft hiatus. Except, I have something far more precious now than I did back then: hope.
Hope is a hard thing to find and a hard thing to kill. Hope is the steppingstone for everything. I know several indies who have liked what I’ve written in the past few weeks, and a paper that states I was the top student in my Creative Writing College Class with a 4.0 and favoritism from my English teacher. Should my hope ever fail, I have physical evidence that backs up my dreams being plausible.
If nothing else, dear readers, let this be a reminder that another’s opinion of you can be important, but it should not define your entire personality, your self-worth, or your confidence. I am glad that FINALLY someone else acknowledges the flaws that Holy Bliss has, but it does not change who I am or who I want to be.
It will make the rerelease that much more spectacular, though, don’t you agree?
One last thing, since it seems like a good time to announce this. If you have read this far, I thank you and I am proud to announce that HOLY BLISS IS MAKING A COMEBACK! I have started writing it again, and all you should know as of now is that if you did happen to read the original story, forget everything about it. This tale now belongs to Tyler Morgan and Ginger Cane, and it is next to nothing like how I told it the first time around.
Sincerely,
Emily R. McCormick
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Paris wrote: "I really admire how you are handling this! That is the kind of review that goes way beyond "an honest review" and is actually very cruel. But, you are handling it with grace. I have to add, that ..."
Thank you! I am not sure why this person decided to be so cruel, but regardless, only thing I can control is how it affects me. *shrugs*
I hope my debut isn't my best work either! I want to learn and grow in the skill my entire life and produce multiple books people can enjoy. I know you have the talent to say the same about yourself; I can't wait to see the Mageye in its newest form!!
Thank you for being so kind. It means a lot. 🖤 Have a blessed day, Paris!
I have to add, that I personally hope my debut is not my best work. My goal is to get better every time! If your debut is the best and the rest get slowly worse... that kind of makes you a one-hit wonder, and I don't think people want that for themselves.