tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post5399312810038098408..comments2024-03-10T10:34:02.181+02:00Comments on The Alliterative Allomorph: Why People Hating My Book Can Be A Good ThingJessica Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-63404753416166383552013-11-08T16:01:39.546+02:002013-11-08T16:01:39.546+02:00So sorry to read this and was thinking of potentia...So sorry to read this and was thinking of potential cheer-you-up things but fully aware that our books and stories are so dear to all writers – but – in the spirit of making you laugh, read this review:<br /><br />"The wisdom of a million camels reflected in his beard like cascading streams of gibberish."<br /><br />I wanted to post the review link but it's not allowing me but it's for 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts.<br /><br />If you’re not getting any hate mail, it’s not because you’re the world’s most lovable writer. It’s because you lack the conviction to say anything of substance. Don't forget the huge achievement it is to even write a first draft, let alone the subsequent work involved before your book is on sale. You have plenty of good reviews too, celebrate those and let it warm your heart to know that every successful author receives bad reviews (if they're saying anything of substance).<br /><br />Stephen King wrote: "“Not a week goes by that I don’t receive at least one pissed-off letter (most weeks there are more) accusing me of being foulmouthed, bigoted, homophobic, murderous, frivolous, or downright psychopathic.” Great writing polarizes people. Some people will love it, and some people hate it. It’s the way you know you’re on the right track. "There are lots of would-be censors out there, and although they may have different agendas, they all want basically the same thing: for you to see the world they see… or to at least shut up about what you do see that’s different. They are the agents of the status quo.” Keep writing.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15510035836292415712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-44449509603524209932013-11-07T19:26:13.280+02:002013-11-07T19:26:13.280+02:00At least people read the book and they were fired ...At least people read the book and they were fired up enough to leave a review. I think that says something good about your writing. You stirred the pot and people ate the stew even though some choked on it.<br /><br />I've read more than one book based on bad reviews. Sometimes those are the reviews that make me the most curious and actually the bad reviews are the only reviews I read. I don't always trust the rave reviews as genuine.<br /><br />Lee<br /><i>Special report today on the "Story Sprouts" book launch in L.A.<br />Lot's of pictures in this one!</i><br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/2013/11/special-editon-story-sprouts-launch.html" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-91271841385902010062013-11-07T09:55:08.641+02:002013-11-07T09:55:08.641+02:00Of course it is! Glad you linked to it! I personal...Of course it is! Glad you linked to it! I personally agree with you, but as you said in your post, I am only human and the viscous reviews hurt, but I have to find a way to cope with it as they're not going away any time soon. :-)Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-11220314785336529692013-11-07T04:07:22.803+02:002013-11-07T04:07:22.803+02:00While I do think bad reviews (3 stars with constru...While I do think bad reviews (3 stars with constructive criticism) are helpful, 1 and 2 stars lend themselves to mean-spirited comments. Very often those reviewers leave the brutal comments ("so horrible I wanted to stab my eyes out"). There is no point to these kinds of reviews except to draw attention to the reviewer. At least - IMO. Because you liked the post Jessica I did on bad reviews, here is the link (hope that is okay to post here): http://capecodscribe.com/2013/11/06/why-negative-book-reviews-are-bad-for-the-reviewer/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-66585378492769658002013-11-06T09:09:27.827+02:002013-11-06T09:09:27.827+02:00I'd say that is probably the case, Michelle, a...I'd say that is probably the case, Michelle, as I think many of them have come from NetGalley members...Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-74617701051729000112013-11-06T09:08:43.895+02:002013-11-06T09:08:43.895+02:00Thank you, Jen. I won't. I'll stick to my ...Thank you, Jen. I won't. I'll stick to my guns no matter how hard it gets. xxJessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-83181837079564844382013-11-06T09:07:55.171+02:002013-11-06T09:07:55.171+02:00Thanks Laura. See we, as writers, understand that....Thanks Laura. See we, as writers, understand that. I'm not sure it's possible to realise this if you're not a writer, unless you're a professional critic.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-85734040238754183922013-11-06T09:06:29.241+02:002013-11-06T09:06:29.241+02:00Thank you Glynis. Actually, writing this post made...Thank you Glynis. Actually, writing this post made me feel a lot better. And the support is wonderful. I'm so lucky to have you all.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-29908149774885323292013-11-06T03:33:17.471+02:002013-11-06T03:33:17.471+02:00This happened with Cinders -- a literary novel mos...This happened with Cinders -- a literary novel most people didn't expect to be literary, and that was part of the problem. But after awhile, it all evened out with the reviews. Honestly, I just don't even look at Goodreads anymore, and if I do read reviews, it's only on Amazon and only right when the book comes out so I can get a good feel for the reception. That has been with the past four titles anyway. When Cinders came out, I was really obsessive. Oftentimes, I've found that writers who want to support other writers will often read genres they would not pick up otherwise, so perhaps some of these reviews you're getting are from readers who normally wouldn't pick up your genre or understand what it's doing.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-47027082448950836872013-11-05T18:44:45.670+02:002013-11-05T18:44:45.670+02:00Jacqueline, thank you for such a detailed comment....Jacqueline, thank you for such a detailed comment. It was a conscious choice to not give them redeeming qualities though. It's that type of book. For YA its a little different. Most teens need these qualities to enjoy a book. But my book is literary adult so typically one would think an adult who reads literary could handle it. :-)Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-67360023626415610062013-11-05T18:06:10.823+02:002013-11-05T18:06:10.823+02:00Jessica,
I'm going to give you the best advice...Jessica,<br />I'm going to give you the best advice I've ever received from a writer, to a writer. In my case, it came from Ellen Hopkins. I too, wrote a book about an edgy, mean and seemingly hate-able character, because I felt that is what she was going through, it was real, I was emulating real life, and I too, did it very well-- to the point EVERYONE HATED HER. Mission accomplished. Or so you'd think. Then along came Ellen Hopkins, who said, I see what you are trying to accomplish here, she is real, her anger is real, and it feels real, but what is missing, is the REAL LAYER that is down deep in the soul of every REAL person--the REAL feelings the character is experiencing that cause that anger to surface, to which your readers can relate and therefore empathize with and forgive that character, and hope for them and cheer them on to a conclusion where hopefully, in some small way, they begin to see the light...and start to change. Redemption. Readers are looking for redemption. They hold onto hope. They crave success, no matter how small. You see, as Ellen explained to me, life is crap for a lot of people. Fiction is their escape from that crap. Fiction is a reader's release. And though characters do mimic real life, and should, characters through the story experience still need to provide readers with some sort of "take back." Where is your "take back" for your reader? You need to ask yourself this. Where is that grain of hope they can hold onto that shows them, no matter how much crap life throws at them, life will be okay...<br />Hmmmmm, I scratched my chin...<br />This advice made me revisit my novel, about an edgy bitter teen, who was downright hate-able...who now has a heart and shares it on the page, so readers understand her anger, and cheer for her to come through it to the other side, and find that morsel of joy she needs to make a change...no matter how small...<br /><br />That is now my reader take back...<br /><br />Food for thought. Chin up. Keep writing.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-43893320702992136822013-11-05T17:25:02.715+02:002013-11-05T17:25:02.715+02:00I'm so sorry, Jessica. But as someone above sa...I'm so sorry, Jessica. But as someone above said, those reviews will make others curious about what's in your story. And here's a little thought: I remember some of the stories I had to read in college I HATED! The characters, the language, the plot, everything about the stories grated at every fiber of my being. BUT those are the stories that I remember because they got such a visceral reaction from me. They were REAL. If a character can drive you to hate them, if something they do can drive a reader to lash out, then YOU, as the author, have done your job. You write real. Never, ever apologize for that! And never compromise just for a review. I know you won't. You're much to strong for that.<br /><br />JenJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06683486631901017529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-49516240540074096762013-11-05T16:21:17.970+02:002013-11-05T16:21:17.970+02:00Sorry, Jess. I've heard Netgalley reviews aren...Sorry, Jess. I've heard Netgalley reviews aren't always pleasant. I don't know why that is. Kudos to you for being yourself in your writing and that's what most important. I know that a few years ago I started thinking and reviewing books based on what I thought the author was trying to accomplish - not whether if I liked the way they did it or liked the ending. Because that's too subjective. ((hugs))Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-36737848928800305592013-11-05T15:27:41.910+02:002013-11-05T15:27:41.910+02:00Dry your tears. Those reviews will drive the curio...Dry your tears. Those reviews will drive the curious to read, and the outspoken to say their piece, this means you have readers, and that is the goal of writing. You are successful! I read many books by GREAT names, and didn't enjoy them all. When I see a low star, I tend to investigate a little more, and often have become a fan of the author. Dry your tears - you have succeeded. XGlynis Peters https://www.blogger.com/profile/01175378917872403609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-40114208036625247352013-11-05T14:31:14.119+02:002013-11-05T14:31:14.119+02:00It's wasn't a freebie in the traditional s...It's wasn't a freebie in the traditional sense, but I think most of these reviews came from people on NetGalley. I'm never doing that again. I don't think the readers on their truthfully display the kinds of books they like to read.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-50834584747455392932013-11-05T14:21:25.180+02:002013-11-05T14:21:25.180+02:00I don't know if the book went out on a freebie...I don't know if the book went out on a freebie promo. If it did, then negative reviews are par for the course, and negatives often follow a pattern of similar comments as though trending from a "negative group" environment. If the book didn't go out on a freebie, then chin up, it's selling. It's disturbing the cosy sense that all books have a beginning, a middle, and an HEA ending. Few people like open-ended left in the void (think what you like) thought-provoking climax. And that's because these kinds of novels invariably go over their heads! ;) Francine Howarthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-23401450859513247332013-11-05T11:22:47.980+02:002013-11-05T11:22:47.980+02:00Thanks, Elise. It's what I keep chanting to my...Thanks, Elise. It's what I keep chanting to myself. lolJessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-23981847345700954412013-11-05T11:22:24.470+02:002013-11-05T11:22:24.470+02:00Thank you, Joanna. <3Thank you, Joanna. <3Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-9829811625437162642013-11-05T11:20:56.481+02:002013-11-05T11:20:56.481+02:00I agree with Trisha, Requiem for a Dream was a hor...I agree with Trisha, Requiem for a Dream was a horrible movie but I'll never be able to forget it. Same with the movie Dancer in the Dark which was heart-wrenching. Your book, your words went out and did exactly what you wanted it to do. You tapped into people's emotions, made them think, and they may not like it but they were moved. That is also success, so chin up, Jess. (:Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-90446586795197319182013-11-05T10:37:29.829+02:002013-11-05T10:37:29.829+02:00Wow, thank you so much, Trisha. Your kind words me...Wow, thank you so much, Trisha. Your kind words mean so much to me! <3<br />I agree with you about those movies too. But the way they disgusted me is exactly why I would rate them so high. The way some people think boggles my mind.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-58401884125027058712013-11-05T10:34:16.957+02:002013-11-05T10:34:16.957+02:00As you know, I gave your book 5 stars, even though...As you know, I gave your book 5 stars, even though I hated most of the characters. Fact is that your writing is brilliant, to the degree that yes, it makes the reader REALLY want to slap most of the characters (in this particular book, anyway), and it makes the reader furious. But I am very confused by all those 1 & 2 star reviews from people who felt the same way I did, but didn't see that your book was brilliant.<br /><br />Also, here's another e.g. to illustrate my point. I thought the movie REQUIEM FOR A DREAM was one of the most horrible movies I've ever seen. I saw it once and will never watch it again. But the movie still gets 5 stars because it was horrible, yeah, but it was also brilliant. Same with TRAINSPOTTING - another movie I never want to see again, but whose brilliance I can recognise and admire.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-60854723420015232962013-11-05T09:31:27.650+02:002013-11-05T09:31:27.650+02:00Thank you, Diane. <3Thank you, Diane. <3Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-3030433614765393682013-11-05T09:31:04.601+02:002013-11-05T09:31:04.601+02:00It's SOOO hard not to look!It's SOOO hard not to look!Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-18596173174350096662013-11-05T09:30:48.610+02:002013-11-05T09:30:48.610+02:00You can say that again, Jolene.You can say that again, Jolene.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3315861630765119669.post-1272415088627948002013-11-05T09:30:30.312+02:002013-11-05T09:30:30.312+02:00I totally agree, Michael.I totally agree, Michael.Jessica Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889900730906728317noreply@blogger.com