The Pain and the Ecstasy of Book Reviews

I keep a close track of my book reviews on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I check the numbers every day and if they change, I go read the new review. That would mean I have the numbers memorized for each book, wouldn't it?  *Looks around nervously*  Well, doesn't everyone? Please tell me I'm not the only author obsessed by what people have to say about his or her literary children.

I try to use my reviews as learning tools. Not easy to do when some make me cry or mad as hell--and some do. Like the reader who said my heroine cried 65 times in the book. What did she do? Keep a tally? Wouldn't my editors at Random House have noticed such active waterworks? Even I, an emotional ninny, have to admit 65 crying spells is excessive. The reviewer also said "the author ruined the book." Well, yes, I wrote it, so if it stunk...stank...smelled, then I am to blame. For that I'm sorry. But as I read over the rest of the reviews for this book, I noticed a few other readers noted the heroine was too weepy. So, there was a problem. Maybe not 65 problems, but enough for others to notice, too.

Note to self: Watch how many times my heroine cries.

So I tried writing stronger heroines. Less tears, more sass. A few reviewers said my heroine was bitchy. *Beats head on keyboard*

Note to self: Work on female characterization and work doubly hard at it!

Many readers love a tortured hero. I do, too. So, I took a giant leap and tried writing one, revealing bit by bit why he was the way he was. My critique partners said their hearts went out to him, that I'd captured his pain well. Some reviewers said the book was a mish-mash of emotions with the hero flip-flopping about what he wanted.

Note to self: Explain up front why the hero is tortured which goes against the "no backstory for the first chapter" rule. Work hard on doing both.

I enjoy a quick, crisp beginning and ending as a reader. Obviously I'm the exception. Several have said my endings are too abrupt. And--gasp--there is NO Epilogue.

Note to self: Develop a longer, stronger, more emotional ending.

Boy, do I have a lot to work on!!!

Now, I know I can't please everyone. If I could, I'd be a best seller. Heavens, I'm barely a blip on the romance writers' list.

I do take offense when the reviewer says I write on the third grade level. I wore myself down working nights in a factory and going to college fulltime during the day, while my sons were in college. It was the best time of my life. I slept when I could. I made the Dean's List. I loved the learning process. So, yeah, I took great offense to that remark. Sometimes a very small number of reviewers are just plain cruel. And I don't get that. We can all say we didn't enjoy a book because of X and Y, without a personal attack on the author.

Thank goodness for those who review with kindness, whether negatively or positively. I've had some lovely reviews. Many, in fact. My smile lasts all day on those. Odd how we seem to focus on the one or two bad ones and gloss over the good ones. That is so totally unfair, for they carry more value.

It takes time to take an idea and characters, develop both, write a rough draft, edit it, smooth out the rough edges, pound the story into shape, and rewrite chapters. Then read over it again. Delete portions. Add more. Fill in holes. Add a deeper layer of emotion and validation. Edit. Polish with a final edit and send it off, knowing you'll be editing that puppy at least two more times with your editor. Respect a writer's time with kindness. Point out something you liked about the story before you mention the book's shortcomings.

Have I ever read books I hated? Yes. Have I ever deleted a book from my Kindle before finishing it? Indeed I have. Have I reviewed them? No. I refuse to trash another writer's literary baby. I simply add the author's name to a list of writers not to buy.

To all of you who have reviewed my books with kindness and appreciation. Hugs!

 

I've Been Overwhelmed By Good This Week

It's nearing midnight on Friday and I've had a week many writers dream about. A week that makes one feel both humbled and elated at the same time. A week of joy. Yet a week of tearful clouds as wet as the summer rains we've been receiving nearly every afternoon. I've been blessed and I've been overwhelmed. Believe me when I say I'm emotionally exhausted.

I'm not complaining.

I'm just trying to come to grips with it all.

On Monday, an article I'd written about how my hero--a bear shifter--appeared to me was in USA Today.

On Tuesday, my first paranormal romance was published by Random House Loveswept. I had a book release party from 11 am to 11 pm on Facebook. Authors who participated were NYT's and USA'a Best Selling authors Laura Kaye and Terry Spear, as well as fantastic authors: Kelly Moran, JM Stewart, Amie Louellan, AJ Nuest, Lisa Olech, Sarah Grimm, Mackenzie Crowne and Maeve Grayson.  Oh, and hunks in kilts...

 

We talked about books, men, oogled guys in and out of kilts and laughed. It was a total blast.

There were dozens of prizes awarded to those who attended and commented. Calvin made me food and drinks and carried them to me so I wouldn't have to leave my computer except for pottie breaks. Then, just as I was ready to collapse into bed, Laura Kaye posted on Facebook that A HIGHLANDER'S OBSESSION was trending at Number One on Barnes and Noble.

What?

I didn't even know books trended, that's how clueless I was!

Thank goodness she provided the link, for I wouldn't have known where to look for it. But there it was...#1

Suddenly sleep was the last thing on our minds. Calvin and I stared at the Trending List of the top 100 e-books flying off the shelves at B and N for hours until our eyeballs went into revolt. My book trended at number one for roughly 28 hours before it began to slip. Even so, my numbers at both places--Amazon and Barnes and Noble have remained high for me. Not for the big sellers, now, but for me. And for that, I'm thrilled.

Reviews started coming in and not a one said "It's obvious this idiot has never written a paranormal before in her life"--and, believe me, I was sure someone would. One guy did lambast my Scottish burr even though my friend, who grew up in Scotland, and the Scottish language expert at Random House had corrected all the many times I was wrong. One reviewer claimed I had too many paranormal elements in one book. But, hey, we can't please everyone. We write the best story we can...and usually it's the story the characters give to us. We don't make them up! We take dictation.

Today my editor emailed me that The Library Journal had reviewed my book and written a very favorable one. It was something I never expected.

This whole week has been a basket of goodness. One I hope you all get to experience sometime. Everyone deserves a week like I've had.