As a writer, the biggest Scrooges in my life are not the people who don't like my books. I often don't like books that I read, which I feel is my right as a reader. We aren't all going to like every book that we read. So I get that not everyone is going to like my books. That is their right. No, the biggest Scrooges in my life? The people who don't like my books AND then feel that gives them the right to say things about my books AND me. When The Compound first came out in 2008, I was excited to see what readers had to say about it. It had gotten a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, which had also featured me in an article about debut authors. I signed up for Goodreads and reviews started to come in for The Compound. Here is one of the first:"The premise is great: a Seattle tech buzillionaire builds a compound in anticipation of a terrorist attack, and then ushers his family into it one day ( one kids and a grandma are left behind) where they remain for years. Gradually, the kids become suspicious about what's really going on. The writing is just intolerable, though. My ARC says the author is a creative writing teacher, so I guess in this case it's true what they say about what "those who can't" do."
Wow. So it's not enough to bash my writing ( fine, everyone is entitled to their own opinion) but to throw around what is the meanest cliche about the teaching profession? Many of my friends and relatives are teachers, as am I, obviously, and I despise that people even have the nerve to utter such an awful, derisive thing. I won't lie, this one left me in tears and made me spend the whole day questioning whether I should even be a teacher OR a writer.
I then went on to get some more reviews: Kirkus, School Library Journal, etc., that didn't bash my book. So I learned not to go looking for reviews. The ones that matter the most will come to me from my editor.
And I think I've had the last laugh. The Compound has been on about 17 state reading lists, and I get emails and Facebook messages every day from readers telling me it's the best book they've ever read. ( Again, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I tend to like those kind of opinions!) And I continue to get warm and wonderful feedback from my students at Gotham Writer's Workshop, who apparently seem to think I don't suck as a teacher. So, to my own personal Scrooge, I say ....
Merry Christmas!
10 comments:
Wow; that was low down, arrogant and vague. It takes mental discipline to put reviews in their proper perspective. Actually, as long as you have enough reinforcement (people who "get" what you're trying to communicate), it's probably not such a bad thing to have a few reviews that cause you to reflect and stretch.
They don't have to be mean though! We have to develop tough skin in this business.
Um yeah. Very tough skin. Here's the worst: the commenter is a teen librarian. And I'm 99% sure the same person reviewed The Gardener , not very favorably, for SLJ. So I have a librarian out there who hates me and my books. Ugh...
Yes, we do have to grow thick skins in this business, and I'm sorry to hear about your experience, Stephanie! It helps to keep in mind that now-a-days everyone and anyone can write a review that goes out on the internet, and not just educated people who have worked up to a respected level in the business.
I, for one, will only give negative/constructive comments about a book if I am asked for feedback on a manuscript BEFORE it is published. If I can't give a positive review to a book after it's published, I won't give one at all.
Stephanie, talk about subjective interpretations! A starred review from one reviewer juxtaposed with a scathing review by another. I think Christy is right about the need for mental discipline to keep perspective. Also, what Edie says is so true, and goes way beyond reviewing books: in an age when anyone can make their voice heard worldwide, it seems to be getting harder and harder to find objective and insightful advice/reviews/etc you can trust! Keep your chin up, though -- that was only one bad review amidst all the ones (from readers, especially, the ones who really count)saying The Compound rocks!!!!
Good for you Edie. I had one reviewer actually write to me and say she found a mistake in the ARC, then waited to see if it was still in the actual book, THEN emailed to tell me I was wrong...There must be some vindictive streak in these people to WANT to make someone feel bad. Sheesh.
Mark, I've learned, believe me:) And thank you!
Yep--"don't go looking for reviews"... that was advise I just conveyed to a friend who was having a bad day and made it worse by looking at reader's reviews of her novel on Goodreads. It's about the work- keep writing and teaching Stephanie, we are all better for it and let your editors send you the stars and best reviews to read.
Steph! That hurts me. I agree with Christy, low down. Pure low down. I take a personal joy in your success: the proof is in the pudding.
"Goodreads" is an especially dangerous place to tread. I've been warned about seeking out reviews there. I agree that everyone is due their opinion, but there is no reason people have to be mean. Doesn't it ever cross their minds that the authors, who are real people, see these reviews?
And I would definitely say that you've had the last laugh, Stephanie!
David, I don't think they think about us being real people...or they do and don't care. I post reviews on there, but I'm careful to think about what the author would think if they read it. If I don't like a book, I don't put it on there.
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