Sharon answers “To all here who are "outraged" by Hale's...”

Must be a group member before inviting friends

A Goodreads user asked this question about No One Else Can Have You (No One Else Can Have You, #1):

To all here who are "outraged" by Hale's behavior - go write a f*ing book for the next 3 years of your life. Then come read your reviews. Note: I am NOT a novelist. But I am a writer, and part of the job is to explore the dark sh*t that everyone else glosses over. It literally is the job. Whether you like what she did or not, she's hit on something human, and all the debate just demonstrates the validity of her piece.

Sharon I am an author, published since 1998, 3 books by a major publisher. Don't you DARE tell me how to take negative reviews, of which I've had a couple.

I…moreI am an author, published since 1998, 3 books by a major publisher. Don't you DARE tell me how to take negative reviews, of which I've had a couple.

It wouldn't even occur to me to contact a negative reviewer, much less stalk her. That's because I'm a mature woman with self awareness, and I can separate my novels from myself, and I do not take negative reviews personally.

In fact, I read them carefully to see if I can learn something from them, and improve my writing. I did just that in one case, revising a print-published book for the digital edition because of an Amazon critique.

So don't you go assuming that Hale's reaction is just "human". It's not. It's the neurotic and outrageous reaction of a spoilt, privileged girl who thinks she has a right to command a certain type of review.

The article was full to the brim with lies and misrepresentations and manipulations, and I am disgusted by it. I hope above hope that authors like that are a tiny minority; that most of us are decent, mature, professional people who either don't read our reviews or have a thick enough skin to let them roll off us easily.

Edited to add: I have never, ever involved myself in a Goodreads controversy before; I've heard of them, and kept a wide berth. The fact that this travesty was published in the Guardian forces me to take a stand.(less)

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