This week I'm delighted to welcome Stacy S Eaton to my blog where she will be talking about how to handle reviews. Not only is this subject very close to my heart, Stacy talks some very good sense which I for one agree with.
Reviews can be one of the most important
things to a writer, although it should not be the most important thing. I know
that there is no better feeling than for someone to tell you that they loved
your book. But what about the people who don’t?
I recently did an interview where I talked
about this briefly. As writers we have to remember that readers all have
different tastes. I am not a fan of Pepsi – but I love Coke. Some people are
just the opposite. That’s why when you walk into the grocery store, there is a
whole isle dedicated to different flavors of soda. Everyone likes different
things.
So do readers.
What do I do if I get a review that isn’t
that gushing “OMG I loved your story!”? Well, I read it and see if they make
any points. Was there something they really didn’t like? Have other people said
they didn’t like that particular thing also? Was it something about the writing
or was it just the story they weren’t thrilled with?
I look at these and if I am seeing the same
kinds of comments, then I think on them, I take them seriously. Maybe they are
right, or maybe they are just Pepsi fans. Whatever the reason, I do think about
them and I take them into consideration while I work on my next project. You have to; it is the readers you are trying
to please. Granted you cannot please everyone, but you can always try.
I know that a lot of authors take any
review under a four star as a negative and a personal attack. You can’t do
that. A three star review is still a good review – it just means they liked it,
but it wasn’t their favorite. It’s not an attack on you the writer, it’s an
opinion and everyone has one.
In July, I released my newest novel,
“Whether I’ll Live or Die”. This story is a very intense story about domestic
abuse. I knew where I wrote it that some people would love it and others would
hate it. It’s their choice. I have been humbled by the four and five star
reviews that I have obtained. But there are people that have given it a 1 star
too. Unfortunately, that person did not leave a review – just a rating so I
don’t know why they didn’t like it. Maybe it was too intense; maybe they didn’t
like the ending. Who knows, but it just proves my point that while I have a lot
of people who have loved the book, I do have others that don’t.
You look at them and then move on. Don’t
let it eat away at you. Take the comments with a grain of salt and move
forward. If you can take the good with
the bad, then you will just become a stronger writer.
“Whether I’ll Live or Die”
“It
sounded so simple in theory; ready... aim... fire... but what actually
transpired was so much more.”
Officer Nicole Nolan holds the gun steady in her hands, knowing that life will be forever altered once she pulls the trigger. Her position as a small town police officer is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is her job, her career and her life.
Amanda stands where protection does not exist. With several failed relationships behind her, Amanda turns a blind eye to the possessiveness Josh displays in order to sooth her desperate need to be loved. As the mental abuse turns violent, Amanda must deal with the denial and embarrassment of being a victim once again. With her emotional and physical health siting on the edge, she must fight to regain control of her life.
A gripping story with one final destination, but will it be life or death?
Officer Nicole Nolan holds the gun steady in her hands, knowing that life will be forever altered once she pulls the trigger. Her position as a small town police officer is to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is her job, her career and her life.
Amanda stands where protection does not exist. With several failed relationships behind her, Amanda turns a blind eye to the possessiveness Josh displays in order to sooth her desperate need to be loved. As the mental abuse turns violent, Amanda must deal with the denial and embarrassment of being a victim once again. With her emotional and physical health siting on the edge, she must fight to regain control of her life.
A gripping story with one final destination, but will it be life or death?
Author
Bio:
Stacy is a full-time police officer who enjoys crime scene investigation above all else. She is a mother of two and her husband is also in law enforcement. She is very much into photography and carries her Nikon Digital SLR with her almost everywhere, just in case. She also has two Shiloh Shepherd dogs and loves to play catch with them.
Her first book, My Blood Runs Blue was the start of her writing career. It brings the world of law enforcement into the paranormal world of vampires. It is a suspenseful adult series that will keep you guessing from chapter to chapter. Book one, My Blood Runs Blue, was published April 2011 and is currently available in paperback, hardcover and e-book editions. Book two of the series, entitled Blue Blood for Life was released September 2011 and like book 1 made International Best Selling lists on Amazon very quickly. The third book of this series is in the plot and characters development stage. She is hoping to have it completed and published in the spring of 2013.
Stacy continues to write and is currently working on finishing up her latest novel, “Garda ~ Welcome to The Realm” a book about guardian angels. Book three of the series is in the works along with a contemporary romance. She also has plotlines for four more books sitting on the back burner.
Website: www.stacyeaton.com
Twitter: @StacySEaton
Video Trailer Link to You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6hnujjhmk&feature=youtu.be
I agree, see if there's anything you can learn then move on.
ReplyDeleteJust had my first 1* rating....no comments just a rating. Odd really, as I've never sold a copy of that book to North America, never mind Canada.
Maybe she read the free sample, saw something she didn't like & went for the jugular!
I decided at the outset NEVER to comment on a review.....that way madness lies!
I agree with never commenting on a review. I've had that happen before - no comment - no review and no sales - so how did they review it? Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
DeleteI think Stacy and RL are right. Rave reviews are great, but the 4 or 3 star ones can be helpful also. The ones to competely ignore are the ones not signed or posted as anonymous and the star rating posted with no reasons stated for liking or disliking a story or novel. Generally I've found the anonymous postings are just trolls or persons with a grudge or (in one case)a person who had delusions of being a "Grand Critic" and eventually asked me if she could "doctor" my story and share the byline and profits. She didn't know me very well evidently, because, after my two word response, she never was to be on my horizon again. (I must confess there was a second part to my two word response that consisted of "and the horse you rode in on.")
ReplyDeletelol... AJ - nice response! It's good to hear that others treat them the way that I do. Thanks for joining the conversation!
ReplyDeleteA great post. I agree. The only thing that bothers me... when a reviewer leaves a rating without remarks. Whether it's high or low, I want to know what they thought. If they loved it, why? If they hated it, why? I learn from both.
ReplyDeleteI also find it interesting that someone would take the time to leave a one-star rating and NOT put why. Those do make me wonder about spamming, etc. It seems if you took the time to make sure someone knew you disliked their work, you'd want to say why.
Then there's the subjectivity of the star system. I had a 3-star review that was more glowing than some of my 5-star ones. Some people are really stingy with 5s and others give them away.
Thanks again for giving me something to think about this Sunday evening.
Tina - all that is so very true! I have seen and thought those same things! Thank you so much for visiting!
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