I don't know about you, but I've seen some pretty crazy stuff going down publicly between authors, editors and reviewers for a couple weeks now.
I'm not calling anyone out in particular, just reminding everyone of one of the most important parts of being an author: public behavior.
Sometimes reviews suck, but you have to remember that 90% (made that statistic up) of a review is a PERSONAL OPINION.
One person can love your characters and hate the plot while another loves the plot but thinks your characters were incredibly Mary Sue-like.
There is no pattern to who is going to like what or when or who or how.
That's just the way it is.
Calling people names/bashing in public is a serious no-no. You're not in middle school. (no offense to middle schoolers). If you're going to be a professional, you have to act like one.
Who gets hurt when bashing happens?
1. the author
2. the agent
3. the publishing company
4. usually the author's book
5. the victim
6. innocent bystanders that feel the need to jump into everything and make it about them
Some people are going to hate your book. That's a fact.
Say it out loud, right now, "sometimes people are going to hate my book. There is nothing I can do to change that."
Now say, "my fans make it worth writing anyways."
Not everyone likes Harry Potter. Not everyone loves The Lord of the Rings. Not everyone loves The Chronicles of Narnia. Not everyone likes the Percy Jackson series. Not everyone loves The Hunger Games trilogy. Lots of people think Twilight is a joke.
You would have to be the greatest person to EVER LIVE if everyone loved your book. I mean, seriously. Oprah would be at your house to kiss your feet and marvel at the 8th wonder of the world.
Brush it off. The reviewer that dislikes your book more than likely does NOT have a personal vendetta against you. It's just not their cup of tea.
Personally, I have a strong dislike for Twilight. Does that mean that I would hate Stephenie Meyer if I ever met her? No, that's ridiculous.
WHY? Because the author is not their book.
Again, say it out loud, "I am not my book."
Okay, I think I have officially beat this into the ground. If you don't get my point by now, I'm sorry for you.
Please, please, please remember that while behavior mostly affects you and your success, there are other people involved that go down with you. Like an agent or publishing company. They take a huge risk in taking you on, don't let them down.
Oh, and your fans. Don't let your fans down. They're the ones that will defend you. Don't worry about doing it yourself.
okay, now I really am done.
I'm not calling anyone out in particular, just reminding everyone of one of the most important parts of being an author: public behavior.
Sometimes reviews suck, but you have to remember that 90% (made that statistic up) of a review is a PERSONAL OPINION.
One person can love your characters and hate the plot while another loves the plot but thinks your characters were incredibly Mary Sue-like.
There is no pattern to who is going to like what or when or who or how.
That's just the way it is.
Calling people names/bashing in public is a serious no-no. You're not in middle school. (no offense to middle schoolers). If you're going to be a professional, you have to act like one.
Who gets hurt when bashing happens?
1. the author
2. the agent
3. the publishing company
4. usually the author's book
5. the victim
6. innocent bystanders that feel the need to jump into everything and make it about them
Some people are going to hate your book. That's a fact.
Say it out loud, right now, "sometimes people are going to hate my book. There is nothing I can do to change that."
Now say, "my fans make it worth writing anyways."
Not everyone likes Harry Potter. Not everyone loves The Lord of the Rings. Not everyone loves The Chronicles of Narnia. Not everyone likes the Percy Jackson series. Not everyone loves The Hunger Games trilogy. Lots of people think Twilight is a joke.
You would have to be the greatest person to EVER LIVE if everyone loved your book. I mean, seriously. Oprah would be at your house to kiss your feet and marvel at the 8th wonder of the world.
Brush it off. The reviewer that dislikes your book more than likely does NOT have a personal vendetta against you. It's just not their cup of tea.
Personally, I have a strong dislike for Twilight. Does that mean that I would hate Stephenie Meyer if I ever met her? No, that's ridiculous.
WHY? Because the author is not their book.
Again, say it out loud, "I am not my book."
Okay, I think I have officially beat this into the ground. If you don't get my point by now, I'm sorry for you.
Please, please, please remember that while behavior mostly affects you and your success, there are other people involved that go down with you. Like an agent or publishing company. They take a huge risk in taking you on, don't let them down.
Oh, and your fans. Don't let your fans down. They're the ones that will defend you. Don't worry about doing it yourself.
okay, now I really am done.
This is a great post! A lot of people are blogging about these kind of issues because everything's online and easily accessible. (And it's easy to hide behind a screen.) Thanks for throwing your thoughts out on this too. By the way, I completely agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed this little scandal taking place on places like Goodreads. It's sad and has automatically warped my views on certain books.
I don't like Twilight either (apart from when I'm in a crap mood). The author doesn't seem too bad though.
This post needs to be read by every single newly published and long time published author.
Bahaha! I don't like any of those series you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteExcept maybe Hunger Games, but that's iffy.
Brilliant post is brilliant.
ReplyDelete