Reader-Writer

As a reader, I have my own expectations when I read a book. Personally, I prefer romance that tackles new things and introduces a lead character that I never imagined would fit in a context of a hero/heroine. I hate cliched dialogues (i.e. You take my breath away, I can't live without you, You are my life, I would die if you leave me, etc). Just like every reader, I want to cry, laugh, fall in love and learn in the most entertaining way possible. I have read hundreds of novels and I would be a hypocrite if I would say I loved each one. There were novels where I didn't quite like the author's presentation of the characters. There were novels where I thought the dialogues weren't considered romantic anymore and found myself grimacing while reading it. There were books that I never finished because I was too bored to continue. There were books that I finished but I considered a waste of money. Judge me as a reader but I do believe that I have the right to complain where my own money is concerned. Nonetheless, just because I didn't like a book doesn't mean I consider it a complete waste of time. Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean the book is not worth reading. We differ in personal views. Ergo, we differ in how we interpret, understand and feel things. Just like how we pick our book genres. I love romance because I find them entertaining. But another person may find romance utterly disgusting. It's just a matter of point of view. I never went to the extent of personally "terrorizing" the personality of the writer. And I never went to the farthest extent of telling people not to read this particular book. When I don't like the book, I shut up.

As a pilingera...este...freelance writer, I know how stressful creating a book is. I am very much familiar of the feelings of frustration when it took you two years to finish the whole bloody book and it only takes the reader 30 minutes to 1 hour to finish reading it AND some even ended up disliking it. It will be sheer hypocrisy if I would say my initial reaction will be "It's okay. I accept it." Of course not! It hurts when people criticize your books. But allowing your feelings to surpass the level of hurt (like turning the feeling into complete hatred or abhorrence towards the critic) will be a complete different story. Having a published book is not solely about the bragging rights you earn when you see your name (or pen name) in the book cover. It's not just about the pride you feel when you see your books on the shelves. It's also not about the "fans" you get. And it's absolutely not solely about positive feedbacks from readers. There will always be critics. There will be people who think what you wrote was not worth the money. How do you handle that? Would you undergo self-pity? Sure. For an hour or so, that's allowable. But to allow a negative comment to hinder you from writing? Well, I guess that's something you have to work into if you really want to be a writer. Would you also resort to bullying the critic with words just because he/she didn't like what you wrote? Pfft. That's childish. Even the best authors in the world are criticized. Accept your shortcomings. Not just as an author but as an individual. Then utilize those shortcomings into something to make you a better person...or writer, rather.


I do not hold any authority to be considered a "reliable source" but in my opinion, to be considered a good writer, you have to know your own weaknesses and know your stand. And to be a good reader is to be emphatic; putting yourself in the character's shoes. View the situation in the character's eyes, feelings and personality.


Let's minimize being impulsive and try to reflect (but not too much :P) on things. As what William James once said: "Man can alter his life by altering his thinking."