They say don't look at your own book's reviews. Because once you start going down that rabbit hole, it's hard to stop.
Yep. It sure is.
I immediately began having heart palpitations once I sent out Boomerang's ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies). I just held my breath and waited for feedback on my debut domestic thriller.
Get ready, I've been told. Everyone gets trashed. That if they're truly successful, all writers will have their share of 1-, 2- and 3-star reviews.
So, of course, I'm starting to get mine.
I need thicker skin, I know. (I always have.) While my reviews thus far have looked fine and fair, I still felt the urge to explain ANYTHING that was questioned. And it sparked a blog idea in me.
Which some internet sleuthing quickly righted.
The general consensus? Don't do it.
Well put, Reddit peeps. And further sleuthing unearthed this piece, "Why authors shouldn’t respond to negative reviews," by Rachel Rowlands. Rowlands' article knocked some sense into my head. It's our emotions leading us down a potentially pothole-stricken path.
"A writer’s sense of self-worth is often tied up in their creative work," Rowlands wrote. "Responding when you feel this way can mean you respond in a bad way. Even with the best intentions, you can end up sounding catty, argumentative, and straight-up unprofessional."
Just reading this stopped me in my tracks. There would be no response or any commentary on any reviews. And I would just let it be.
Like I've heard others say, what people think of me is none of my business. So maybe I should stay out of it.
Now that we've got book reviews out of the way....Come say hi this weekend!
Side note: I'll be selling and signing copies of Boomerang this Friday, April 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Conference Center in Viera during "An Evening with the Stars," a reader event hosted by Florida Star Fiction Writers. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, come on by. (Or even if you have a copy, bring it by and I'll sign it.)
There will be all kinds of fun, free swag and raffles to get in on — in addition to being able to mix and mingle with nearly 40 authors. Plus, I'll be raffling off my own prizes with those who make a purchase. Learn more here. And see the list of participating authors there, too. Maybe there's someone else on the list you'd like to meet! (Check out a sneak peek of the reader event program here, too.)
A big hug: I owe ya
I am so touched by all of the support of my friends and family. Thank you to everyone who bought Boomerang, read it, reviewed it, raved about it and made me feel like maybe I'm on to something here.
One of the best moments this week? When I wobbled into my doctor's office to get my funky knee checked out — and my family doc of 25 years had his purchased copy of Boomerang there for me to sign! I wanted to cry.
Moments like these have been so uplifting. Thank you to everyone who has given me one. I appreciate all of you who've bought a book and are cheering me on.
People like you are why I love doing this.