Reviews…A Matter of Opinion

I have gone back and forth whether I should write about how I feel about reviews, or just “write” it off and move on. But that isn’t like me…one of the things about me is I need to let it all out. That’s why I write, or talk it to death with my husband and drive him to the funny farm, which I have done on this subject.

I do believe that writers need reviews to catapult their book up the scale to attract more readers. That’s a common sense fact, and a smart one. It’s also a very scary thing for me to do, only because I (and I believe all writers) hold my stories near and dear to my heart. My skin has slowly taken on a leather-like quality, but it’s still painful to receive a less than stellar review, which recently happened the other day. Especially when there are loads of 5+ reviews for the same book.

Don’t get me wrong, I asked for the review. Yep, that’s right, I asked for it, so it’s up to me to handle it. One of the things I sincerely believe in, for myself, is to improve as a writer. I wish to get better in every possibly way with my writing (i.e. story line, character development, etc. etc.). You name it, I want to grow and improve, because quite frankly, I love to write. I absolutely adore it. It fulfills me in ways I never had in any job I’ve ever held. I need to write.

The other thing about reviews, if it’s below a 3+ rating, is I try to tear each line apart and see if I can truly learn from the review. Now, I won’t lie, the first thing I’d like to do is track the reviewer down and give them a good thrashing…if people still do that today, but after the first response wanes a little, I remind myself that I like to turn everything into a positive. What can I take away from this particular review? Can I improve my writing, or the story?

But if there is absolutely nothing to take away from the below average review, if what is being stated is not beneficial in any way, then I have to just tell myself, “Hey, they just didn’t like the story Robin, and that’s okay”. It’s not the end of the world, although at the time it may feel like it. I reminded myself that best seller authors have received many 1 and 2 star reviews. Sometimes the book is just not that reader/reviewers cup of tea.

So I picked myself up off the floor after my tantrum, dusted off my clothes, dried my eyes, released the hair from my hand and told myself, “Robin…keep on writing”!