To Read or Not to Read...

 

What advice do you have for new authors on reviews?

The most consistent advice I’ve received as a newer author is, don’t read the reviews. I didn’t get that advice, at first, but time has taught me the error of my ways, as it does. I won’t say that I am 100% cured of my affection for a great review, especially if it says something like, I read this book in one setting because I couldn’t put it down. For me that is that review is the chef’s kiss of reviews. But it is no longer an obsession. When my book first released, I sat huddling over my phone refreshing it every few seconds watching and reading every review as it rolled in, trying not to care too much, while feeling like my whole life depended on those words. With every good review, my pride soared through the roof. I had never been so happy and confident, sure that those words written by some stranger, proved that I was to be a writer.

So, what’s so bad about that? Nothing. Not really. But what about when the review says, and it will, eventually, because there’s no pleasing everyone, and trolls, “this book was the worst book I ever read.” What happens to all that pride then? It’s a strange, but very human trait, our ability to believe the worst far easier than the good. I’m sure that’s not true for all, but it’s true for a lot of writers I’ve met. Maybe it’s because of what the great Erykah Badu said, “I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my shit.” But a bad review will stick in your craw like a popcorn husk stuck in your back tooth. You’ll still be trying to understand exactly what they meant, long after the buzz from all those previous five-star reviews are long gone. So, you have to ask yourself, is it worth it?

Being a writer was not only hard to do; it was hard to even dream about. There weren’t a lot of successful writers in my neighborhood. In fact, becoming an actual writer with books in a bookstore or a library seemed as big a dream as being Michael Jackson, fantastical and unrealistic. So, achieving that dream deserves to be acknowledged by applause, a pat on the back, or a review.

But maybe, like everything else, in moderation. I don’t think it’s anything wrong with celebrating your own success. I admit that I have snuck a peak or two at some of my reviews, the good ones and the stinkers. The good ones for an ego boost. But sometimes the bad ones can provide some insight, especially if the bad ones start to reveal a trend. It’s not nice, but if everyone mentions, the same issue, I’d probably take note. I once got a one-star review that simply said, “not my type of book.” Best one-star review ever.

So read them, or not. Use the good ones as a pick me up, the bad ones for whatever they can teach you, if anything. As long as you don’t try to write to the opinion of others and remember reviews are simply opinions. And as we all know, opinions are like…I think you know the rest.