When I finish reading a book I love to add it to my ‘have read’ list on goodreads. Sometimes I read other reviews before deciding if I’m going to start reading a book or series. So often I get sad or mad at the negative reviews I find, I wonder how the author must feel to see those all over their page. More often than not I enjoy books of all kinds and my reviews lean towards being positive. I have left reviews for books I didn’t like but I feel I did it in a way to help other readers know exactly what it was that wasn’t for me so they can make an informed decision.
For the most part I feel that this is what most people do. So often I’ve questioned negative reviews in my mind wondering why they would even read something so far away from what they usually read only to leave a bad review. Again I have to remind myself that people don’t know if they’re going to like something unless they’ve tried it. Maybe it was a gift or their friend loved it and recommended it. It’s good that people have their own opinions and take the time to read and review books. It keeps the world of stories spinning!
Here’s the thing. One of my hesitations with sharing my writing is that in being open and sharing my work I also invite others to read and have their own opinion. It seems so silly and precious now that I write this thought out. Holding my stories hostage in case no one likes them. I’ve read so many reviews that have had me questioning if I can follow through and do it. Putting my little sparks of imagination out into the universe only to have them smothered and loathed. Is that why I haven’t managed to finish anything?
I should be realistic, I’ll be lucky to have people read them at all even when I to get them out there!
If I were to ask my favourite Authors if they knew back before they were published if they would choose a different career knowing how much negativity they would have to deal with, what would they say?
I found one such posting on exactly this from one of my favourite authors and her husband.
“No book, however well conceived and executed, will appeal to every reader.” Mike Briggs
And really, if you apeal to every reader you’re doing yourself a disservice. I need to remember that I’d much rather have some readers LOVE my stories and others loath them, than to have everyone think they’re just ok. I’m not a politician to try and win everyone over with a story.
“Patty’s (Patricia Briggs) philosophy on reviews. When you spend your money for one of her books, you effectively enter into a virtual contract. The author promises to weave a pleasing tale, to take you away from the cares of the world for a few hours, and try to leave you happier than when you started reading. Patty works very hard to try to uphold her end of that contract. A review is an opportunity to tell the world whether she was successful, and if not, why not.” Mike Briggs
At the end of the day, as long as I have done my best to create something worth reading I can’t feel too bad no matter what the reviews say.
Catherine Croft 