tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post7650141559720151000..comments2024-02-10T01:46:32.327-08:00Comments on Reading and Writing are Fattening: Reviewing a Friend’s Book (And other dangerous sports)Marla Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004295584548524776noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-23009392613409419682011-08-31T16:23:11.224-07:002011-08-31T16:23:11.224-07:00Marla, a three star review on Goodreads isn't ...Marla, a three star review on Goodreads isn't crummy! It's pretty good. Honestly, I think you may have been a little too hard on your friend. You asked him why the three-star-review and he told you. It seems like you were hurt by his answer. <br /><br />As a writer, you know that some people will like your work and some won’t. It’s that thick-skin thing writers always talk about having. I’m not going to lie, it's tough sometimes, but that's how it is. Suck it up, keep writing, and look for more readers outside of your inner circle. <br /><br />Keep in mind that all kinds of readers leave all kinds of reviews. Not every review has to be a glorious five star review, nor should it be. How awful would it be to check out book reviews only to find that every book had five stars? I cringe at the thought. <br /><br />Figure out some other ways to expand your readership. I'm sure you'll find plenty of readers who will love your book. Keep on keeping on. :)J.R. Williamshttp://jr-williams.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-52180107653002906262011-08-05T11:20:56.727-07:002011-08-05T11:20:56.727-07:00Thanks for your thoughts, Yvonne. I agree one need...Thanks for your thoughts, Yvonne. I agree one needs to be honest, although if the shoe were on the other foot (I love cliches, sorry)and I were reviewing for a friend, I would opt out of leaving a review that would disappoint them. <br />But that's what gets me trouble - expecting others to act as I would in a certain situation.<br />A man I was dating (and madly in love with) once told me that my problem was not how he treated me, it was my own expectations! True, but oh, so hurtful.Marla Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04004295584548524776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-69360319739668816622011-08-02T20:43:30.137-07:002011-08-02T20:43:30.137-07:00Hi Marla
I would mostly echo your previous commen...Hi Marla<br /><br />I would mostly echo your previous commenter, Angela's thoughts.<br /><br />Just because an author or publisher has asked a blogger to review their work, it doesn't mean that they should automatically expect to get top star rating for that book, whether it is inside or outside of the blogger's normal reading genre.<br /><br />I have always tried to give a fair and true assessment of a book, based on the quality of the writing, storyline and characterisation, and that is what my ultimate 'scoring' (if we have to use such a crass system), is based on.<br /><br />However, as most bloggers go to great lengths to point out in our 'about' pages, we are not typically professional reviewers, so we do use the forums to share our own personal feelings about a book, our dislikes as well as our likes. <br /><br />Although, in my own personal case, this does not generally reflect in my rating of a book, I will also include my own thoughts about a story, as it is just that, my own personal blog.<br /><br />YvonneYvonne @ Fiction Books Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14821114534056290177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-40325323269569288782011-07-30T19:46:19.209-07:002011-07-30T19:46:19.209-07:00Thanks Angela, I appreciate your thoughts and agre...Thanks Angela, I appreciate your thoughts and agree that reviewing outside of one's genre is a lot harder. You have to be able to imagine how it reads from the point of view of those who do love the genre.Marla Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04004295584548524776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-89183227671593548342011-07-30T18:51:52.256-07:002011-07-30T18:51:52.256-07:00On the one hand, I can imagine how hurtful a less ...On the one hand, I can imagine how hurtful a less than stellar review can be coming from a friend; on the other, I'm not sure fluffy 5-star reviews would be all that helpful either. So far, though a few friends promised to write reviews, none have yet. :-(<br /><br />As for reviewing outside one's genre, I think it can be done. It just means the reviewer has to work a little harder at taking notice of what makes a good book, not just what they like. I write reviews sometimes of books that aren't my genre, so rather than focusing on what I loved, I try to focus on whether the characters are well-developed, if the plot is well-played, if the prose is artistic, skilled, (or grammatically correct!). Fellow authors, at least, should be able to do that. If your friend is primarily a reader, then maybe it's not the best idea.Angela Wallacehttp://angelawallace.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-89326228112446528512011-07-29T18:41:48.801-07:002011-07-29T18:41:48.801-07:00I think the timing is extremely important too. In ...I think the timing is extremely important too. In the very initial days of a book launch there are so many emotions riding high and the feeling that so much is at stake that a 3-star review--which really isn't bad at all--can feel like a road block. It's not, of course. It usually means a very solidly written book, good characters, and a decent plot line. However, if it would have come a little further down the publishing path it wouldn't have felt so hurtful. It really is the friendship aspect that makes it an issue. We expect friends to rally around us and give us their best as we give our best to them, especially during very stressful times. That's the point of it all, isn't it? And publishing your first book independently is TONS of stress.Donna White Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00802142273102557253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-83189150691064379892011-07-29T17:14:01.698-07:002011-07-29T17:14:01.698-07:00From Marla,
Another friend of mine who is an avid ...From Marla,<br />Another friend of mine who is an avid reader told me she almost always gives three-star reviews on Goodreads, saving the others for reads that are exceptional. While I don't disagree with that, I still have an issue with two things, the friendship thing and reviewing out of one's genre.Marla Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04004295584548524776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-30176643156303564172011-07-29T16:19:51.891-07:002011-07-29T16:19:51.891-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Donna White Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00802142273102557253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1438850631282274504.post-51973015752805010062011-07-29T15:43:53.732-07:002011-07-29T15:43:53.732-07:00No author is going to please every reader; that...No author is going to please every reader; that's just the business. But if you can't count on a friend to support you in something you've poured your heart and soul into, who can you count on?<br /><br />Sounds like maybe jealousy played a part in that review. As someone who has read your work AND the other person's, I know first-hand how much better your writing is. And I know you've learned from past writing mistakes and have created a better novel for that experience.<br /><br />Good for you for standing up for yourself. And boo to poor sports who don't support their friends.Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02363320894528126629noreply@blogger.com