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How Do You Handle Bad Reviews?
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Nicole
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Nov 20, 2014 08:55AM
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I know it's hard but try to forget about it if you can. More reviews will come.
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That person finds that your story moves too fast, others will find this appealing. For one, I like fast-pace story myself, so that first critic would not put me off.
As for the character not being fleshed out enough, yeah that might deter some people from reading the book, but others might just think it's a plot driven story instead of a character driven story. For some, that's great news.
Last, they say the idea behind the story is 'pretty cool'. In my humble opinion, that's another plus.
Sure, it's two-star rating, but I don't think this should affect any future sales. It can only help pin-point the right people to your book.
Having read the review, I don't think it will deter most people. It wouldn't turn me off because all of the things the reviewer didn't like are very subjective. I agree that it sucks that this is your first review of the book. It is better to get a few higher reviews before you get a low one. Bad reviews happen, and just try not to take them personally.
Are you having a blog tour for this book? With that you can get more reviews to offset this one.
We should always welcome to logical and fair censures about our works; these will help us improve our works in the future. Of course we should reply to them if we have logical answers for their criticisms. But sometimes they're not fair. In last Year, I read in news that some authors had made some unreal IDs in Amazon.com (or other websites) and they had written good reviews about their books and some bad reviews to the books of some other authors who were their rivals. I think those authors also should welcome to those unfair criticisms since they had inverse result; many people wrote good things about those victim authors and bad things about those unfair authors in many websites. An Iranian proverb says"Don't dig a well(trap) for somebody; it would be for you at first and then for others."
Don't take it personal, just as a learning experience. To do better with the next book and so on.
Try not to worry about it. I know it's hard. People will still buy your books, despite the review. I've recently seen a book that is so badly written that it is like a 10 year old's first draft, and it is a bestselling book with 4 and 5 star reviews. I figure most of those good reviews are fake or from friends or family. I have had 1 star reviews of my first book and it is because people don't have the same taste as I do, and you can never stop that, it's inevitable. Just keep putting out your best work and you will inevitably get good reviews. And if you want to cheer yourself up, go and look at some of your favourite books on Amazon or Goodreads and read the 1 star reviews about them — it goes to show that it comes down to subjectivity and no one can write a book that 100% of people will love. Do what you love and others will love it too, they just haven't read your book yet :).
I get more than my fair share of bad reviews if you are original you get bad reviews that's just the way of it just ignore them. The book I have written with the best reviews, not really a bad to its name, is my worst selling book! I am not sure that reviews have quite the impact that people think.
Willow wrote: "I know that we are supposed to take bad reviews in stride and not respond to them. I intend to follow that advice. But, this is my debut novel, and my first review. It was rated 2.0. Ouch!How can..."
Seriously, don't sweat bad reviews. I'm not even bothered by them as long as I feel the reader was genuinely expressing their reactions. Firstly, nothing pleases everyone. You're going to get a bad review or two on every single thing you write forever, so get used to it now. Secondly, bad reviews can have the odd opposite effect of actually getting you some sales. Why? Several reasons, but mainly this: everything that person hates, someone else likes. If they say your characters are all stupid or boring or uninteresting, someone else is going to look at your preview and go, I like this character. If they say your style is too choppy, someone else likes that style. If they say your plot cuts back and forth too much between various storylines, someone else likes that kind of frenetic pace. There is simply a huge variety in what people like. That's why I stress the importance of connecting with your audience. Someone out there will like your book, it's your job to find them. Bad reviews, though on the surface a negative, may actually help you with that.
From everything I have read, bad reviews push sales more than positive ones do. I actually read all the negative reviews on a product I'm planning on buying first. If all the complaints I see are about things that wouldn't bother me and I like the preview then I grab it. That goes for everything outside of books as well.
I'm starting to get good reviews for my Jack Hamma series and after a spree of consistantly bad reviews for my Death in the Australian Outback Series it seems just a little bit hard to handle. But as I wrote earlier in life you have to take the good with the bad and believe in yourself. Cheers Anthony E
You sure do! Taking the good with the bad is how we know where the balance is. I have yet, to find my readers to comment here. However, my reviews on B&N and Amazon are all 5-stars. Not one official comment on my book. Also, the rating here is not justified. You log on a book - it gives an automatic 3-star. That's crap! So, I don't count on this site to sell books.
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When I added books that I was reading, it appeared that I gave the book three-stars before I had even read it. So, I know it isn't verified, as Amazon and B&N sites.
I like to consider the first bad review as something similar to the red badge of courage. It'll hurt, but it's going to happen. You're just lucky to get it out of the way early, instead of fearfully waiting for it to arrive...and it doesn't look like you got hit too bad with yours either, so feel incredibly lucky.The moment you should really start being concerned is when you're getting nothing but bad reviews over and over again...of course, seeing as this is art, you should also take it as little more than someone just not 'getting it'...because ultimately, if you put your heart into it, it's probably worth something to someone else out there.
Good responses for sure. I always figure someone won't like the work and just hit a star but for what reason? That is what I appreciate - tell me why?
Sometimes all you get is bad reviews and that's maybe not so bad, believe me if you are ahead of your time bad reviews are what you get and to find someone who understands what you are trying to do is rare, then one day people cotton on and you are a hit, that's how it goes.
I handle bad reviews by not reading any reviews, good or bad. I have read exactly one of my reviews--a five star one, and I'm not sure why I chose to read that one. (Incidentally, it made me cry happy tears.) The other ones, be they one or five stars, I haven't read.I also heartily disagree with the comment that sometimes, all you'll get is bad reviews. If you've published a well-constructed, well-edited, interesting story, you will get good reviews. Writing is like anything: Some people have the talent, some people don't; some people put effort into polishing it to a high shine; some people don't. Talent and hard work pay off.
But even then, you will get bad reviews. I'm just saying that if all you get is bad reviews, you should be reevaluating some aspect of your writing. Do you not have the talent? Is your talent in need of development? Did you cut corners producing it? Is your idea overdone or derivative?
S. wrote: "I handle bad reviews by not reading any reviews, good or bad. I have read exactly one of my reviews--a five star one, and I'm not sure why I chose to read that one. (Incidentally, it made me cry ha..."hahaha.. right?
I get really grumpy. For about five minutes, in the privacy of my own home. There's nothing like a cathartic stomp around the flat, and some coffee in your favourite mug.The trouble only starts when people leave their internet connection on while they're stomping.
Once the initial "sting" wears away, I read them because they tell alot about that reader. Most seem like that person did not actually read the book at all - leaving basic outlines or statements that could have easily been concocted using the story synopsis. Genuine 1/2 star reviews are inevitable, so most of the time when I can tell it is not a troll, I try to see their point of view. The one thing I HATE, however, is when someone creates an Amazon Goodreads acct. to specifically leave a bad RATING for your work! Their account has no profile, no established friends, no bookshelf and they are not following any established or new authors. I just do not understand the point...It hurts your current overall book rating and gives no insight to any future readers.
Willow wrote: "I know that we are supposed to take bad reviews in stride and not respond to them. I intend to follow that advice. But, this is my debut novel, and my first review. It was rated 2.0. Ouch!
How can..."
I was savagely trolled by 600 people and most of the nastier reviews of my book are by them. The book blog tour company sicced psychos on me when I called them out for not doing their job. What I learned is that the indie writer community isn't trustworthy, is full of charlatans and will happily stab you in the back.
I also know that my work is worthy of consideration. Anyone with any sense will be able to discern for themselves which reviews are legitimate and which are not constructive (aka irrelevant personal attacks). The same goes for you. If you have hired an editor, and worked your butt off to make your book the best it can be. Let it go. It's all about process. Will the first one be your best?
Not always.
But that doesn't mean you suck at it. It means you need more practice to reach mastery. And even great writers don't get it every single time.
Hyper-criticism serves no purpose and is the work of trolls. Don't respond. (difficult) And let it roll off. (easier) Measure your work by _your_ yardstick, not theirs. Stick with people who cheer you on and support you. Good luck and never, ever give up!
How can..."
I was savagely trolled by 600 people and most of the nastier reviews of my book are by them. The book blog tour company sicced psychos on me when I called them out for not doing their job. What I learned is that the indie writer community isn't trustworthy, is full of charlatans and will happily stab you in the back.
I also know that my work is worthy of consideration. Anyone with any sense will be able to discern for themselves which reviews are legitimate and which are not constructive (aka irrelevant personal attacks). The same goes for you. If you have hired an editor, and worked your butt off to make your book the best it can be. Let it go. It's all about process. Will the first one be your best?
Not always.
But that doesn't mean you suck at it. It means you need more practice to reach mastery. And even great writers don't get it every single time.
Hyper-criticism serves no purpose and is the work of trolls. Don't respond. (difficult) And let it roll off. (easier) Measure your work by _your_ yardstick, not theirs. Stick with people who cheer you on and support you. Good luck and never, ever give up!
My first ever review (last week!) was a 3*. I stomped, moaned at the children, shouted at the dog and generally wished the reviewer a bad day. Then, once I had realised that this person had genuinely taken the time to read and write something about my book, I should try and learn from her observations. It is hard to read too much into one review though. I have been lucky enough to get a few much better reviews since that first one, so I guess the real lesson for me is look at the totality of the reviews, not just individual reviews. But if, like Kate, you are trolled, then I don't know what you can do other than have a stiff drink and get on with your next book!
Ben wrote: "My first ever review (last week!) was a 3*. I stomped, moaned at the children, shouted at the dog and generally wished the reviewer a bad day. Then, once I had realised that this person had genuine..."
A 3 star is a good review! To me anyway...
Yep! Learn from the constructive reviews if you can and let the rest go. Those who mind don't matter those who matter don't mind. Listen to people who deserve your ear and ignore the rest.
A 3 star is a good review! To me anyway...
Yep! Learn from the constructive reviews if you can and let the rest go. Those who mind don't matter those who matter don't mind. Listen to people who deserve your ear and ignore the rest.
I am not at the review point yet because I am releasing my novel in March, but I have tried to prep myself a little. I chose some of my favourite novels and looked up their reviews. Every one of them had one star reviews and five stars. Every one. It made me feel much better to know that crappy people will crap regardless.
Think about it this way. Fifty Shades of Grey was made into a movie. It's sold more than 100 million copies. It also has thousands of 1 star reviews, some of them down right nasty and mean.Bad reviews don't always mean a book won't be a huge success.
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Bad re..."
Well said!
@Bryan Exactly! There is no way to please everyone so why feel badly when you don't? All you can do is please yourself by doing the best work you can.
Responding to bad reviews only accentuates them, and could...I emphasize COULD...make the author appear desperate.This is a matter of judgement. There may be good reason to politely respond to unfair reviews...but haven't done so as yet.
My book with the best reviews sells badly my book with the worst reviews sells well, explain that?
Kate wrote: I was savagely trolled by 600 people and most of the nastier reviews of my book are by them. The book blog tour company sicced psychos on me when I called them out for not doing their job. What I learned is that the indie writer community isn't trustworthy, is full of charlatans and will happily stab you in the back.Sorry you had this experience, Kate. :( I've only had one person post a negative review just to spite me. (She actually said in the review she didn't read my book at all but doesn't like my "radical views" whatever that means.) Obviously nothing to compare with what happened to you. I hope you are able to put it past you and move on to bigger and better things. "To live well is the best revenge," after all.
Anthony wrote: "My book with the best reviews sells badly my book with the worst reviews sells well, explain that?"This is an anomaly many have noted, and it seems that even a bad review may point out something that sounds appealing to readers. "I hated all the wisecracks and one-liners!" one person may write, to which another person might think, "hey I like wisecracking characters, I think I'll buy this." So even your haters can sell for you! Bwahaha suck it haters.
