Do you read reviews of your own work?

I do.

I could make excuses about it but the truth is, I just like to read what people think about a story when they sit down to read it. I always feel like the correct response is ‘thank you for the kind words,’ if they liked it and ‘sorry you didn’t care for this issue, hope you like the next one better!’ if they didn’t.

But I don’t read them in the way a lot of writers do, I think, I don’t obsess over them, my day isn’t ruined if they didn’t like an issue. I have seen writers freak out because a reviewer didn’t like a book in the precise WAY the writer wanted them to, and that’s silly. 

A reviewer is part of the interactivity of art, they have a right to their opinion. It shouldn’t even be in question and I hate the passive-aggressive meltdowns creators have over them sometimes. 

But it took a long time to get to that point, I used to really pay a lot of attention. Same with message boards, I use to really read for threads on new books I had done. It’s…it’s a little bit ridiculous and I am embarrassed I was ever THAT person. But I absolutely was.

Now, it’s different, when I have friends flip out over reviews, I try to remind them people have a right to not like your book. It’s rarely personal, and even if it is, that is ALSO their right. 

It’s one of the first bits of advice I try to give new creators. Don’t try to control the narrative, don’t try to argue people into liking your book. If you MUST correct factual errors, try to do it from a place of respect, not scorn.

I still mess up sometimes, but it’s pretty rare.