Shelly’s on a roll since her last post. I was going to save this for Tuesday but I’m naming the next Hot Man of Hot Men of Blogs then.
So why my title to this post? Well, Shelly’s been reading a lot of comments out there about why other writers won’t give their ‘friends’ a bad review on their books. Yes, I’m talking the Indie author.
Look, if we’re putting our novels and such out there for the public to read then we should be privy to a bad book review if our book sucked. Really folks. How is the Indie supposed to know whether or not they’ve written something that’s tortured the poo out of a reader? A friend tells a friend the truth. Right? If my jeans make my butt look too big, please don’t be afraid to tell me. Please! This soon-to-be Indie wants to know the truth about her grammar, plot, and storytelling skills.
It’s like this, if I’m brave enough to publish and advertise my work then I should be brave enough to handle a bad book review. Right?
So please don’t be afraid to hurt my feelings. I beg you.
Later in the ink all,
Shelly
I totally agree. It hurts for a second if someone tells you there's a problem with your story, a part they just didn't get, even one messed up comma that they saw and you didn't. Holy crap, that's why we ask people to read our stories, right? I'd much rather have that information up front than after it's published. And there's ways to point out issues with kindness.
ReplyDelete@Tonja: Of course, we want to know before its published but it doesn't always happen that way.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely need to know if we're going off the trails with something we're writing, and sometimes it's easiest coming from one of our friends. And like Tonja says, it can be done constructively.
ReplyDeleteWow Shelly, you are brave! I think there is a way to do a critique. Isn't it called a sandwich, say something positive you like, then the not so much, then finish with a positive spin! Yeah, you need this, not the jean theory...ouch!
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point, but fingers crossed that people like your book enough to give you good reviews anyway.
ReplyDelete:-)
I'm sure you always look good in all your jeans, but is that a spot of mustard above your lips?
ReplyDeleteSure. There's a big difference between constructive criticism and a hatchet job.
ReplyDeleteIs that a piece of TP stuck to your shoe?
Now that's we're talking, I swear I saw spinach in your teeth.
ReplyDeleteYou are a braver person than I am. I don't have the heart to give a bad review. I know I'll get plenty myself, and I'm steeling myself for that, but as a writer and knowing what goes into writing a novel, I can't. I'm happy to talk about books in private or to crit partners, but I'm just lame that way about online reviews.
*hides*
I agree with this post, a good friend will look after you in ever way. Love how you post honest words tht make people think.
ReplyDeleteTo everyone: Really, the honesty needs to come before the publishing. And yes, there's always a nice way to criticize anyone. I agree.
ReplyDeleteI am working on getting better at this, because this is really what I keep hearing from most writers.
ReplyDeleteSounds a lot like what I say to my critique partners. Let me have it! Better you than the world!
ReplyDeleteI've only given out a couple of bad reviews but they deserved them...very bad grammar and the story line not matching up, etc. But, I know you won't have that problem. I've had people who wouldn't give me a bad review, but then again, they wouldn't give me a good review either. Last year when I published, I hadn't had anyone but a couple of friends read my book. I didn't know about Beta Readers then. I do now, and I wished I'd had someone to beta read for me. I might just have to do that...since I've only "heard" about the bad things about my books.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, your book is great!!
@Shannon: Well, when I review a book I always say what I liked. Always. And if there's anything amiff then I deliver that.
ReplyDelete@Aimee: That's when the peeps need to warn us but some won't.
@Beth: The nice thing about your book is that you can take it off the market and fix it if need be. But I really liked the story. I know I offered to Beta-read in the future for you.
I just realized... I mean rails, not trails.
ReplyDelete