Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG
Alex's awesome co-hosts are Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!
Reviews, for an author, are very appreciative and can be kind of scary. I love readers, especially if they take the time to review. Some are critical. Some are glowing. Writers can learn from them. Yet, sometimes when I read those reviews, it boggles my mind.
Below are a couple of mind bogglers... (sorry I couldn't enlarge the print, you'll need a magnifying glass) The reviews are for the same book: The Upside Down of Nora Gaines which I put on NetGalley.
The 1st reviewer says it 'reads as middle grade', and the 2nd reviewer 'definitely recommends this book for 16+.' LOL!
We can all read the same book and come away with differing perspectives.
For those of you who are in the midst of beginning your writing career and/or publishing for the first time, learn to roll with the punches.
Not every book is a persons 'cup of tea.'
People's opinions vary so much, it's so difficult to tell what works and what doesn't. I like your writing. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Loni
DeleteThat's why I tell those who submit something that isn't for DLP to keep submitting as this business is so subjective.
ReplyDeleteTrue!
DeleteKeep up the good work
ReplyDeletehttps://www.melodyjacob.com/2022/10/avoid-fabrics-that-cause-itchy-skin.html
Thank you
DeleteEvery reader has their own special take on a book, don't they?:) Ourselves included. Maybe because I'm an author, but if I can't leave a 4 or 5 on a review site, I don't leave a review. I might review it on my blog, but not on one of the more public sites where it can lower a writer's average. I just don't see the point.
ReplyDeleteIt is amusing how varied the reviews are though of the same piece. I suppose that fully illustrates just how subjective all of this is. My goodness. You certainly can't please everyone.
ReplyDeleteTrue!
DeleteEvery reader brings their own baggage to any story. Bravo for receiving reviews and reading them. If I can't say something nice about someone's book--a book they've likely spent years creating--I don't say anything. I don't review it. Like everyone says, book reviews are subjective. And it can be brutal if the reader misses the point of the story. Never give up!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you!
DeleteGlad you are getting some good reviews, even if they disagree with each other. I've had readers I know from the RL tell me my first book was too violent or not violent enough... And these two different opinions came from people who are friends .. so you just never know. Like you said, not everyone likes the same thing. And if you write sword fighting scenes, peeps have thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThis is Tyrean. I'm on my phone a d forgot to sign in...
DeleteThanks Tyrean.
DeleteIt's so interesting to see you differently people view things. Honestly, I tend to trust books with a bad review sprinkled in more than those with pure 5-stars.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, you definitely have to learn to roll with the punches, Cathrina! Not just with reviews, but in life in general. It definitely helps to have a thick skin. Have a great and creative October!
ReplyDeleteI've heard NetGalley is a mixed bag. You'll get reviews, but... Of course, you'll never please everyone.
ReplyDeleteMost of the criticism I get for my stories is understandable, but occasionally a reader will write something that flabbergasts me. One person cited my contribution to the IWSG anthology as being a story of 'insta-love.' I guess she missed the part about the MCs corresponding by mail for months. LOL
Ironic, isn't it? Like one of my audiobooks where a listener said the narrator was melodramatic while another said he was monotone. *shrugs*
ReplyDeleteI read a quote somewhere that no two people read the same book :-) I agree with Tonja, though, about trusting books with mixed reviews more than those with glowing reviews. I like the premise of this one of yours (from what the reviewers said), so I'm going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThat's why it's important to find your right audience and not let reviews get to you too much.
ReplyDelete