Barry Martin Vass asked Jacqueline Winspear:

I have read all of your novels and find them very entertaining. Maisie Dobbs is a great character, and you have done a very good job structuring this series. My question has to do with reviews. While I enjoy your style of writing, others don't; in particular, I noticed a review from some guy who hated your work, wasn't afraid to say so, and posted a very critical review. What do you do when this happens? Ignore it?

Jacqueline Winspear Thank you for your question, Barry. The first thing to remember about any opinion is that it belongs to the one who is opining. It actually does not belong to the subject of that opinion, and always says more about the person who has voiced the opinion. That is why we should always try to rise above criticism. If someone doesn't like my work - that's their prerogative. A good reviewer is one who can find the best in the work, and who can balance a criticism with a positive note. One of the reasons why I could never be a reviewer is because with one slipped word you can cause so much negativity - and frankly - who wants that kind of energy inside them or around them? I remember listening to a radio interview with the author Joyce Carol Oates. A listener calling in was incredibly critical of her work, and it caused her to weep in the interview. I always thought how cruel that was, and wondered what nastiness is inside someone to not see the good in a piece of creative work. You see, I know what it is to write a novel, to set out and work hard then hold your breath until it goes out into the world. Even if I hated a book, I would never, ever voice that opinion - I just put it down and go onto the next one - because I recognize the effort that went into it every step of the way. My mother always said, "If you haven't got anything good to say, then don't say a word." I tend to agree. And regarding those bad reviews? I ignore them. They're not about me, they're all about the reviewer. I'm not going to let one person spoil the thrill of seeing my work in print - it was a long time coming and I worked hard to get there. Let that be a word of advice to other writers - you're the one working hard on your story, and when you're published, you're the one with the book in print. Always endeavor to be more accomplished in your writing - you are a work in progress - but don't ever let anyone rain on your parade. And as a reader, if you don't like a book - just put it down and move on. Someone else might love that book, so give it away. Or put it aside for another time - maybe at a different point in life it might resonate with you to a greater degree. I always used to struggle to the end of a book, even if I didn't care for it - but not any more. I put it back on the shelf and pick up another. Life's too short to do otherwise. In my opinion, that is.

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