How do you cope with a bad review? Why is it that a single bad review cancels out ten good reviews in your head? Why does that one bad review make you want to give up writing? And why do people who write bad reviews write the longest reviews?
Well, as you can probably tell, I just now received my first REALLY awful review. I had given away some free ebooks in exchange for reviews. So far even though several people took me up on the offer only one person has written a review of the book... and they reamed me good. The worst part is that she gave away half the book and didn't even mark it as a spoiler. She basically said I write like a ten-year-old. Ouch! That hurts. It's also a put-down to all the people who have read and enjoyed the book.
Now what? How do you cope with bad reviews? How do I not think about the horrible things she said while writing? How do I keep this from creeping into my work? Any ideas?
12 comments:
As an author you will always be the target of both positive and negative reviews. The best advice I can give is take into consideration what they said, whether it's negative or positive, and use it to your advantage. Authors are always learning how to improve their writing. Even a best selling author will get negative reviews.
Just make the criticism your own and use it to better improve yourself. If the review, however, was extremely immature and didn't properly tell other readers why they disliked it, then ignore it. Chances are that other readers won't take it seriously.
I know this is part of the business, but it is still painful to deal with. I just wish she hadn't given away so much of the book or that she'd made it a small review. It goes on and on. lol
Definitely take into account any criticism. Then move on. Writers need thick skins (I do not have one, I'm working on it.)
Here's to lots of great reviews in the future.
Every book, no matter how bad or good it is, needs both good and bad reviews. Both types of reviews help give the readers a more rounded idea of how the book is. At least, they should. Take what you can from the bad reviews and learn from it, and if the reviewer is just plain bashing the book, then sometimes, you have to take such critiques like a grain of salt.
Peronally, I think that a book that's just launching especially needs both good and bad reviews, whether they're undeserved or not. It helps give a more accurate view. For example if you have two really good reviews, that's great, but it doesn't tell a reader like me that a books any good. I need to see both the bad and the good reviews. That's just how I am sometimes. It is odd though, if they hate the book so much, why take the time to write such a long review? It baffles the mind.
Don't let one negative review get to you. No book is going to be liked by everyone and even the best writers get torn apart by critics from time to time. Reviewers rarely realize that the authors actually read what they've written so they feel free to be as harsh as they like. And it's a lot more fun to tear something apart than it is to post nice stuff. You might want to look at other reviews the reviewer posted. You may find they almost always post negative stuff. It's only one person anyways, hardly worth giving up over.
Ouch, I'm a reader, not an author but I think one of the best tips is don't comment on it (unless to say thanks for taking the time to read the book, sorry you didn't enjoy it, and tell them you take all constructive criticism on board)
I don't know where the review has been posted but I know many readers on Amazon like to see a couple of bad reviews, it makes the good ones seem more authentic, not like you've just got your family to write a bunch of 5* reviews.
It's only one person's opinion, so try and forget it, unless they did provide sensible feedback rather than just slate it.
My biggest gripe is that she gave away major secrets from the book. I love Smashwords! These awesome people just deleted the review from their site and said they don't like spoilers. Yay!
It's a risk of being a writer. You've got to know that no matter what, there are always some impossible-to-please people in the world, and as long as more people like your book than dislike it, you are on a good track. And that's great about Smashwords!
Don't worry about it. You are obviously doing something right since you are selling a decent amount of books so far. One bad review won't change that. My guess is that most readers will ignore a long negative rant like that. Congratulations on writing and selling your book!
The people at Smashwords are rock stars. I am very happy with them. Also, Goodreads hid the woman's review and put 'spoiler' on it. So people can click on it if they don't care, and that's fine with me. I just didn't want her to ruin it for people who don't want to read spoilers.
I'm so sorry to hear about your review, but I agree with everyone who has posted here already. EVERYONE gets bad reviews, and it's kind of a badge of honor, in a way, because it means you're brave enough to put yourself out there. Keep your chin up, and I'm sure amazing views are heading your way! :)
It is a fact that once our work is available to the public not everyone is going to love it. I'm sure there are books that you've started, and put down. I know I have. But, that is no excuse for the way this person "reviewed" your book. It tells me instantly that they don't take writing seriously, nor do they have any respect for other writers - two enormous downfalls in my opinion.
I can only imagine how much the review hurt you. But, try not to let it paralyze your writing, or make you doubt yourself.
As for the others who promised a review in exchange for a free book? Very unprofessional as well.
As writers, our reputation follows us as much as our writing. Forgive the pun, "but the word will get out" about these people.
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