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Dealing with reviews
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Alexandra wrote: "http://richardlevesqueauthor.wordpres...I found this useful." Sorry what am I missing, it maybe useful to me too.
The blog post gives good advice on how to deal with bad reviews.
The first reviews I ever got I paid for and they were terrible I was slated and rightly so but it taught me I needed an editor and a Beta reader. I'd just written a book which my friends said was ok and I self published it. I've never done it since.
I just remind myself that it is just one person's opinion. Sometimes people get what I'm doing, and sometimes they don't.I wrote a 1st person POV story about a vacuous 20 year old guy and his girlfriend. It was sort of an homage to the old B horror movies I used to watch (Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Santa Claus vs the Martians, etc). I got some very critical reviews about how my character was vacuous (duh!) and how I used those awful abbreviations like LOL and OMG, and I spelled the word through "thru" - just like a 20 year old would do. One reviewer suggested I read Moby Dick to better hone my craft - somehow I think he missed the point.
Anyway, I submitted the book into the Writer's Digest competition and scored 24/25. The reviewer commented, "I think it takes quite a talent and awareness for an author of his generation to capture a voice that is likely to be read and respected by readers decades younger than himself. As soon as I began reading, I was drawn in. I found the content at varying times to be witty, poignant, sad, and funny. I think the author accomplishes exactly what he set out to do."
My point is not that my book is good - there are plenty of terrific reasons to dislike it. But sometimes reviewers just don't get it, especially amateur reviewers with a high opinion of themselves. They have limited imagination and write/review based on a set of rules they learned in college. How boring.
I don't care what someone says about my books. In fact, I am sometimes amused when someone writes a very self-righteous, arrogant, holier-than-thou review, because they are usually way off target. If I wrote books so that everyone would like them they would be just boring every day pap.
You're so right Ron the first review I got on Amazon was three stars and clearly the reviewer didn't understand the personalities conveyed. They were Arabs who have a very different life style and humour to the west and were faithfully portrayed, but my reviewer had not understood and judged them by her limited view of the world. I'm glad to say that all the subsequent reviews have been four and five star and encouraging. But it was my first review on a major site and at the time I was devestated. I nearly gave up but I'm so pleased I didn't. The later reviews certaily put the first into prespective.
Ron wrote: "I just remind myself that it is just one person's opinion. Sometimes people get what I'm doing, and sometimes they don't.I wrote a 1st person POV story about a vacuous 20 year old guy and his gi..."
I know where you are coming from with that Ron. Having been slated for writing from 1st person POV where that character was dull and immature. To the person critising, it appears to be an immense flaw. In real life, not everyone is interesting but the armchair critic does not want characters, description or development. They want bam blam kapow or they want wordy and important. When a consummate artist like Hemingway gets a bad rap, I have learned to worry less.
Lisa wrote: "Ron wrote: "When a consummate artist like Hemingway gets a bad rap, I have learned to worry less. ..."Big Smile
Sybil wrote: "You're so right Ron the first review I got on Amazon was three stars and clearly the reviewer didn't understand the personalities conveyed. They were Arabs who have a very different life style and ..."I had one reviewer on Amazon who reviewed my book from my blurb, he couldn't even be bothered to read the free chapters on Look Inside...I am thinking of approaching Amazon with a view to having him barred as a reviewer, because he isn't helping one bit!
Sybil wrote: "You're so right Ron the first review I got on Amazon was three stars and clearly the reviewer didn't understand the personalities conveyed. They were Arabs who have a very different life style and ..."I guess that is a problem, readers often bring their prejudices to a book, just as some writers do. In a way I guess if a character is not physically described we assume that character is of our own ethnic grouping. Reading is a great way to experience new worlds, even if those worlds exist in our own.
Sarah wrote: "Sybil wrote: "You're so right Ron the first review I got on Amazon was three stars and clearly the reviewer didn't understand the personalities conveyed. They were Arabs who have a very different l..."hi Sarah, there isn't much point in discussing your concerns with GR. I had a person give my book a 1* rating because she didn't like the position I took in a discussion (nothing to do with my novel). Then two of her friends also gave my book a 1* to make me pay for my insolence, I guess. GR said that, despite the obvious attempts to 'injure' me there was nothing they could or would do about it. Each person has the right to express his or her opinion.
My only point regarding bad reviews is that they aren't necessarily bad for the book. From what I've read since being on GR, many people prefer reading the moderate to bad reviews over glowing ones because they, essentially, don't trust the good ones (figure they are from family, friends, etc). Plus, as a wise person (my wife) said, there's nothing I can do to change what others write. Of course she was proven correct when GR said they couldn't do anything about the 1* ratings I received :-) Good Luck.
Here's a thought - Ignore them, bad reviews happen.It's that simple.
Lee wrote: "Here's a thought - Ignore them, bad reviews happen.It's that simple."
Exactly. No matter who you are, you're going to receive good reviews and bad ones. There's nothing you can do about the bad ones, so you brush yourself off and focus on the things that are within your control: writing new books; networking with readers and writers who understand and appreciate your genre; doing everything in your power to ensure what you do write goes through numerous beta readers and has been put through the ringer by a qualified editor.
Also, never be too quick to discount a bad review. Take a look at whatever critique you've been offered and weigh it against the praise. You might just learn something. ;-)
As long as we are swapping horror stories about 1* ratings - I got a 1* rating on my niche Zombie book BEFORE it had sold a single copy. The best I can figure is that someone disliked the word Bisexual in the title.Also - I was doing a book signing in a VERY small town in S.W. Ohio and the mayor of the town came in and tried to shut the books signing down because I was "a purveyor of filth and a corrupter of children." Clearly she never took the time to look at the book first - there was almost no sex and virtually no bisexual activity in it. The book was an homage to the old B movies I used to watch, like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes or Santa Clause vs The Martians.
Ron wrote: "As long as we are swapping horror stories about 1* ratings - I got a 1* rating on my niche Zombie book BEFORE it had sold a single copy. The best I can figure is that someone disliked the word Bis..."Not necessarily, as was explained to me, sometimes people put a rating on a book they have no interest in reading. Or maybe it was the word 'Zombie' - hehe.
I've actually never gotten a really bad review... only positive stuff. Except when people make nasty comments about me in general.
You'll not please everyone. Someone won't like it/be offended/ think there is too much sex/violence or not enough.Reviews are written for all sorts of reasons, many of them known only to the actual reviewer. GR has a liberal review policy.
Personally I have no issue with authors reviewing other authors - so long as the review is honest. Authors are also readers.
Emma wrote: "I've actually never gotten a really bad review... only positive stuff. Except when people make nasty comments about me in general.""Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries"
(A hearty handshake and a pat on the back to the first person who correctly identifies that quote - no Googling)
Monty Python, Holy Grail. The 'French' people insulting Arthur.
Just think of it as a learning experiences. One of my book has such mixed reviews that its either they LOVED it or HATED it. But, luckily they are thorough in their reviews, and I take what they say and learn. Not that I'm saying everyone should love my book, but one woman tore it apart on Youtube, Barnes and Noble, etc, clearly not understanding the point I was trying to make. That one hurt the most, but you have to just not let it get to you. Because that same book also got five star reviews, everyone is different and everyone views my books a certain way. And I find it amazing.
A.L. wrote: "Monty Python, Holy Grail. The 'French' people insulting Arthur."Ta Da!!
Regarding reviews, the GR policy is that reviews are for the reviewer's personal use, and that it is in a public forum is incidental. IMHO, I wish there was a way to have the ratings/review updater hidden on my author's page. I don't/can't care what the ratings are because they are beyond my control. But every time I log in, I'm reminded of them. I'm proud of and am happy with the novel I produced but I know it isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. Of course, for those who don't like it, to paraphrase, I fart in their general direction!
LMAO D.I. Next time I get a bad review, I'll remember to fart right in their face
Ron wrote: "Emma wrote: "I've actually never gotten a really bad review... only positive stuff. Except when people make nasty comments about me in general.""Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt o..."
"RUNNN AWAYYYY!!!!"
"My Lord, I have an idea..."
That just made my day.
Liz wrote: "LMAO D.I. Next time I get a bad review, I'll remember to fart right in their face"No, no...just in their general direction. In the face is too obvious - you can't, then, blame it on the dog. ;-)
My first one star on my first book I was upset about, my second - I was angry. I wanted to argue, I wanted to email. My first five star I wanted to jump from the rooftops in joy. I wanted to thank the reviewer for their wise words. Luckily I did nothing following the advice of many far more experienced and better writers. Public reviews happen just like breathing ignore them or learn from them don't respond to them. Private reviews - use to get better. I am trying.
I wouldn't mind getting a review from one of those "French" people. Ha! Loved that part!
A.L. wrote: "Monty Python, Holy Grail. The 'French' people insulting Arthur."Your father was a hamster and your mother smelled of elderberries!
You can tell a bad review from a bad reviewer very easy - sometimes you will agree with the review, sometimes you won't. Common sense is essential as is a pinch of salt. Respect your readers and whether they like your work or not they will respect you.
I work on the do unto others and the thing is I'm terrible about leaving reviews so good or bad I always appreciate the fact someone has taken time out to contribute - whether it's good or bad.
I would like your opinion on providing a review on another author's book if you know they are providing a review on your book. I am always cautious about "swapping" reviews. a) What if I don't like the other person's book? b) Will that effect how they review my book? c) If we both like the other's book, will it look like we are just swapping high reviews?
I don't know of a good way to deal with this. I think it is unfair to skip a review of another book just because the author is another struggling writer. If anyone needs review, we do.
I can only suggest that we provide full disclosure in our review - at the end state that we are both authors and we have read each other's works but that our reviews are honest.
comments?
Ron wrote: "I would like your opinion on providing a review on another author's book if you know they are providing a review on your book. I am always cautious about "swapping" reviews. a) What if I don't l..."
Ron, I believe if you disclose that you are trading reviews, people can, at least, go into what you write with that knowledge. Some will refuse to read your review, concerned that a positive review is the by-product of the swap. Others will appreciate the 'honesty' and read on. You can only act by your moral compass. You can't worry about how others will perceived your decision/disclosure.
Unbeknownst to me, I was reading a novel by a author who read and reviewed my novel. I ended up giving a review on his book. I didn't disclose that information because it was not an intended 'swap' and my review was not influenced by his review of my novel. While he gave me a 5* rating, I gave him a 3.5* rating. He PM'd me and indicated some disappointment in the rating but recognized that I stated my reasoning clearly and appreciated the honesty.
As for the concern that how you rate the other author's book could have an impact on how that person will rate yours, I would suggest that you both clearly understand the possibility of a bad review and how you want to handle it.
I did a review swap with a person and his short story was so full of problems - spelling, grammar, improper words, nothing to do with the genre or tale because those are more subjective - that I PM'd him (as had been agreed upon) and said I would hold off on my review if he removed the book from circulation and fixed it. He told me he had three people proof it and none of them had a problem with the book so he wouldn't correct what needn't be corrected. I shrugged my shoulders then went ahead and put my review up. Since then I haven't done a swap and likely won't.
I found this useful.