tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post1022588718288898721..comments2024-03-22T03:27:19.859-04:00Comments on Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors: The Good. The Bad. The Downright Nasty!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914920560584429315noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-53378595379463126842013-03-07T13:54:04.715-05:002013-03-07T13:54:04.715-05:00Fun post! Thanks for sharing.Fun post! Thanks for sharing.Author Kathryne Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206690509533777067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-22184358224938145352013-02-25T00:04:32.836-05:002013-02-25T00:04:32.836-05:00With a new series starting in July I’m hoping that...With a new series starting in July I’m hoping that the people who loved the goblins will love fairies. And that maybe the people who didn’t like goblins will give the fairies a shot. I love dark chocolate—I eat a little every day, it’s also the reason why I have to run…Shona Huskhttp://www.shonahusk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-26473980655370749912013-02-23T13:16:51.085-05:002013-02-23T13:16:51.085-05:00First, I am always amazed that people actually rea...First, I am always amazed that people actually read my reviews because, naturally, they are written within my paradigm...based on my experiences and my expectations. I often read other reviews and wonder if I read the same book as those people because our impressions are so diametrically opposed. Nonetheless, I definitely try to give a fair and reasoned opinion, and, if I didn't like something, I try to explain what it was that I disliked. I don't believe in being mean and I think that those who delight in writing cutting and rude reviews are just sad people who want to bring others down to their level, i.e. they're unhappy about something in their lives so they want to make everyone else share that pain. I figure, you do something that you love, put out the best product that you can, learn from your mistakes and trust the opinions of those who have your best interests at heart (and don't give mean people any power over you--just laugh at them and continue on your merry way).ELFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00507018016608103452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-14105882163866788672013-02-22T23:21:29.064-05:002013-02-22T23:21:29.064-05:00Pamela, thank you! You'd think after more than...Pamela, thank you! You'd think after more than 60 books I'd be immune to the review worry wart. It must be the idea of a brand new genre and yes, ma'am, chocolate does help!Carolyn Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704111268464382004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-61666123573052442932013-02-22T19:38:54.223-05:002013-02-22T19:38:54.223-05:00Carolyn, if I ever needed a crash course in the le...Carolyn, if I ever needed a crash course in the lesson that you can't please everyone, I got it when my debut novel came out in December. Within 24 hours, I'd received a lovely, perceptive, 5-star review from one website, and a disgruntled, negative, below-average rating from another. It's an emotional see-saw, no question!<br /><br />I found some words of wisdom in a blog written by another author. Namely, as a general rule of thumb, assume that a third of the people who read your work will love, a third will hate it, and the remaining third will be indifferent. Your job is to write for the third who love it. Also, don't Google yourself--it only leads to heartbreak.<br /><br />And my personal corollary to all that, which I came up with after fuming a bit over some of the less kindly reviews: Don't look back. The book is done, the work is done, it's not like you can snatch it off the shelf and rewrite it in a desperate attempt to please the naysayers. If you've told the story you want to tell, to the best of your current ability, you've done all you can do as a writer. So take the time, energy, and emotions you might expend fretting over a negative review and put them to better use developing your next project.<br /><br />And yes, chocolate helps! :-)<br /><br />Pamela Sherwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14089346385390151931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-15370503194524936542013-02-22T09:41:09.224-05:002013-02-22T09:41:09.224-05:00Victoria: Thank goodness for the chocolate! I real...Victoria: Thank goodness for the chocolate! I really thought I was over the review virus but found it can strike in the same place more than once and debuting in a brand new genre must've set up shop for it again!Carolyn Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704111268464382004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-17427264027530985212013-02-22T08:49:40.667-05:002013-02-22T08:49:40.667-05:00As a relatively new author, I've learned to ac...As a relatively new author, I've learned to accept the inevitable. You're not going to please everyone. <br /><br />I remember one review that called my book "a bottom of the barrel romance." And then that same book received a Top Pick from Night Owl and 4 1/2 stars from RT. The emotional turmoil is definitely not worth it. <br /><br />I agree with Grace. I write romance because I believe in what I do. And if I touch the heart of even one reader, I've done my job.<br /><br />Great post, Carolyn. And yes, chocolate does help!Victoria Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14655411862542154351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-84047949602881332332013-02-22T07:51:58.293-05:002013-02-22T07:51:58.293-05:00Grace: Well said, my friend, well said. Thank you!...Grace: Well said, my friend, well said. Thank you!Carolyn Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704111268464382004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-86054150109666603352013-02-22T07:46:45.286-05:002013-02-22T07:46:45.286-05:00Cheryl: Amen. Pleasing everyone is an impossible t...Cheryl: Amen. Pleasing everyone is an impossible task that will drive a person to drinking.<br /><br />Shana: Forget chocolate. I'm going to buy a Cinderella Barbie!<br /><br />Terry: Breaking into women's fiction has me spooked about reviews, got to admit it! Glad I'm not paddling the boat alone!Carolyn Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704111268464382004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-47077401114802041912013-02-22T07:44:50.057-05:002013-02-22T07:44:50.057-05:00Yes, the mean ones bother me--when I read them. Th...Yes, the mean ones bother me--when I read them. They don't bother me as the last word on my Fate As An Author, they bother me because the romance authors and readers who've been in the industry from day one perpetuate and have left a legacy of honorable, adult behavior. We don't trash anybody for the fun of it, we don't attack the author when it's the book that's come up short, we don't view the internet as our personal bullying ground. <br /><br />An internet generation of commenters on the romance scene has degraded that legacy. I write romance because I believe in love, I believe when you pull your share of the emotional load, your life and your world are richer for it. That snarky, mean, destructive element now loose among us is clearly attuned to some other value, and they rattle the daylights out of me. I don't see them coming, I don't understand what motivates them. <br />Grace Burrowesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-75219361706140882032013-02-22T07:14:21.867-05:002013-02-22T07:14:21.867-05:00Good luck on your reviews, Carolyn! Yes! When the ...Good luck on your reviews, Carolyn! Yes! When the new jaguar series started up with Savage Hunger, I was definitely concerned whether fans and new readers would like the jaguar series as much as they have the wolf series. So definitely I was hoping for good news! :) Terry Spearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788961423817944896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-70741935700799366602013-02-22T07:12:13.328-05:002013-02-22T07:12:13.328-05:00Carolyn, they don't bother me much anymore. Mo...Carolyn, they don't bother me much anymore. Most of the time they make me smile or I sort of agree with them. I just can't take myself too seriously anymore. I mean, I'm playing with Cinderella Barbie half the day...Shanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06267793335415078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-7992370277657558242013-02-22T06:44:36.042-05:002013-02-22T06:44:36.042-05:00I don't worry so much about reviews anymore, p...I don't worry so much about reviews anymore, particularly because I've never bought a book based on a review in my life. But when it comes to books, you can't please everyone. It simply isn't possible!Cheryl Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11464377381132807409noreply@blogger.com