We, as authors, talk about thick skin and not letting negative reviews or comments about our books bother us… For some, however, that’s near impossible. I’m included in that ‘some’. It does bother me. Deeply. Personally. And, it’s not because I expect or hope to please everyone that reads my books. No, it’s because I hate knowing that someone found incredible fault in something I’ve done. It’s because, I hate disappointing anyone. It’s because… It’s because I am who I am and when I look at it the right way, I can learn something.
If a reader can’t finish one of my books…
If a reader finds my writing amateurish and inconsistent and jumpy and silly and stupid and any number of other descriptive terms, well… What kind of writer would I be if I didn’t at least try to see why they felt that way? Especially if it’s more than one reader?
I write books. They aren’t always going to be popular. I don’t expect to see my name in lights or even on the bookshelves in a book store. I have some very loyal readers which I am more grateful for than I can put into words. I have very good friends that help me through the tough writing times when I cry and scream and want to quit. And believe me, there have been quite a few of those times… They aren’t pretty either.
I never leave the starting gate on release day with jubilant expectations and celebrations. I am often sick to my stomach with nerves and uncertainties. I feel that way when I see a new review, or a new reader comment in my inbox. I would like to shrug off the negative thoughts of readers and reviewers, but I can’t. It’s just not in me. I will mope and pout and obsess. I will get over it, but it will haunt me and their words will stick with me through the writing of each following book. It might not be a healthy thing, but that’s me. It doesn’t keep me from writing but hopefully, it helps to make me a better writer on the next book. Honestly, I think it has. I think I’m improving. Obviously not enough for some, but… You really can’t win them all.
I don’t want to win them all. There really does need to be someone or quite a few someones that dislike my books. If I got all 4 and 5 stars from readers and reviewers, well… I’d just keep doing the same thing which wouldn’t be bad because everyone was loving what I was already doing, but I wouldn’t be improving or learning anything. It’s only through the disappointments and did-not-finishes and knocks on my writing that I will learn and become better. At least, that’s the attitude I adopt when the bleeding stops.
It’s the same with rejections. When they come, it’s hard. It’s really hard. It hurts. It makes you want to quit. It makes you want to even stop reading. But, you don’t. You keep going. You learn what didn’t work, you improve on it, you move forward with your new knowledge, and you create something even better. Yes, sometimes you have to say ‘well, it just wasn’t right for them’ and move on. But sometimes, you have to really look at what you’ve turned in and try to see where they stopped reading and said ‘No.’
I love what I do. It bothers me, deep down inside and up here on the surface, when a reader says that they’re disappointed in my book. I want to understand why. I want to learn from those mistakes. I want to write a better book.
With all that being said, if you really like my book and feel it deserve a 4 or 5 star rating or review, PLEASE! I could use some positive vibes…grins. But if you don’t, that’s okay too and I welcome your thoughts, though I may be looking at them through my fingers as my hands cover my face.
~lissa
I’ve read quite a few of your books. Almost all of them recently. I like how you bring the characters to life. How you bring the emotions out and how one minute I can be lauging, one minute tense and another I can have tears in my eyes. Reading is an escape, a joy, a pleasure, a fantastic form of entertainment. I’ve enjoyed the stories I’ve read, both the short and the longer ones. I read pretty much constantly, every day when I’m not at work. I’ve read classics, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, westerns, romance, paranormal, horror … and my likes tend to be stories that bring out the tears and the laughter and strong characters that I can actualy care about. I like you’re stories … they’re fun, entertaining. No complaints from me. Thank you for your stories.
Ok so I just got done with Arctic Shift today and I just loved loved loved it! Please keep writing! I know that when not everyone likes your work it hurts, but there are those of us that do! Keep your head high because you do have something to be proud of!
Oh Honey, you know I was in that evil deep dark place in 2009. I think a lot of writers do that, in fact I know they do. They could get glowing reviews right across the board and then that one bad review we dwell on.
Big Hugs. You rock.
Okay, I completely understand the need to please. I want the * let it roll off my back* feeling, but… negative things suck the happiness out of me. And I have been told.I’m a happy pill. Anyhoo, I haven’t seen any of the negative comments on your work, and I do have favorites of your work. But none of your work I would consider bad or less than up to par professionally. I read a lot. At least 4 books a week. Who ever doesn’t like your work, must read safe, little happy generic fluff.So,please…carry on,go forth and make us squirm so more!
Lissa, I could have written this post. I know just what you mean. I’ve gotten a good amount of nice reviews but those one or two not-so-good are what I can quote. I know everyone won’t like everything I write. I certainly don’t like everything I read. But I’m like you…I hate disappointing someone who paid money for one of my books. I hate disappointing myself too. I’m such a perfectionist that I wonder if I’ll ever like anything I write. Regardless I keep trying to improve. I love writing and there’s nothing else I want to do. So it’s a matter of finding a way to use the less than glowing reviews as a way to learn and improve, as you mentioned.
I’ve only read Simple Need of yours so far but I have several more of your books on my TBR (Stick Shift, in particular, I’m excited about because I love car racing). I bought a bunch of your books after reading SN because I loved your style and I know I’m going to enjoy your recent releases.
Hugs! 🙂 You rock, Lissa.
Lissa,
As a fan (& you KNOW I am…lol), I can tell you that I truly DO love your work. I like the fact that every book is different (even if they’re part of a series *cough* Vin & Dallon *cough*). While I know that those “couldn’t finish” & “disappointing” reviews hurt, when you put them on the scales next to all the “OMG! That’s so HAWT!!” & “another great book” reviews, you’d see that the good FAR outweighs the bad! Keep your chin up & keep up the good work!
Oh yeah, WHEN does the new one come out again?? LOL 8D