#OpenBook
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Ah, book reviews. They can send an author’s heart soaring or sink it like a stone into a deep abyss of despair. Because a writer is often intimately connected to their works, reviews can have a substantial impact on the creative process.
I have warned new authors to be mindful of the effects reviews have on them, particularly negative ones:
All authors get negative reviews. Reading is subjective. There will always be at least one reader who doesn’t like something about a book, and some will express it in reviews. A lot of new authors are simply not ready for people to express any level of dislike.
I also opened up to readers and authors about my experience reading reviews in my podcast:
I was not ready; although I have an extensive literary criticism background and review books, having people tear into mine, no matter how few of them it was, was hard. I found it getting into my head and even questioned my abilities as a writer overall; was there something I should be doing?
Check out the full podcast.
I decided to steer clear of most reviews when I recently released my newest novel, Sweet Love, Bitter Fruit. I don’t want any interruptions in my writing, something that happened after I got a few negative reviews for my first novel. I will share them.
They hit me hard. I ran all kinds of responses in my mind. I stopped writing, and I began to doubt if I wanted to venture any further as an author and face any harsh criticisms. I had a hard time appreciating that the above reviews were the minority and most readers loved Simon, Regina, her code-switching, and his masculinity. It took a lot of emotional support from other authors, writers and editors for me to get back to the keyboard and finish the next manuscript.
I decided that I didn’t want to jeopardize the precious zeal to click away and let out characters to readers who got me and my work. So, this time around, I am staying away from the negative reviews or any review that will present a stumbling block to my creativity. I know some may say to read negative reviews, but I disagree. If they take one on an emotional rollercoaster ride, then any productive criticism is lost and the potential damage to the ego necessary for a writer to create outweighs any good they may offer. It is far better to build a support system of people (including other authors and editors) who will give it to you straight so you can progress.
Stepping away from negative reviews is not cowardly, it is an author bravely loving themselves and their work.
Lyndell Williams 
I try to let it all wash over me. you’re right in saying that it’s all subjective. I understand, there are books that I’ve been disappointed in. What upsets me more than a bad review is NO review at all. Any comment means you’ve provoked a reaction, no review means that nobody cares enough to say anything.
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That is very true. Even when a reader hates a character, at least that is some emotion.
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That’s what really hurt when I started. Nearly everybody around me was silent for years. I got my first feedback from somebody in the UK, because apparently it takes hopping across the pond to get any direction. I’m still thankful for that person. My books are better because they praised them and gave me some tips to start me in the right direction.
Silence is always the worst.
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I’ve always heard that the Brits are better at leaving reviews and opening up to new artists. I think many of us who live in the US fall into the habit of only checking the US reviews.
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Reblogged this on aurorawatcherak.
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My husband tells to bath it in serenity. You can’t change reviews. They are what they are and you can’t do anything about it. When you waste energy trying to fix things you can’t change, you make it hard to change the things you can. Stil a hard concept to embrace, but it does work for me to say “Well, what in this review can I do something about.” And if I can’t — well, they have a right to their opinion.
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Your books are excellent, Lyndell. I like how you deal with life honestly, and that you dive into things that are easier to overlook. I think you should do what works for you. I’ve fallen into the trap of losing my passion because I let other people sink me, so I understand.
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