tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post9127476979093137023..comments2024-03-22T03:27:19.859-04:00Comments on Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors: Taking Critique Without Taking It On The ChinAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914920560584429315noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-91711493054665394812008-11-15T09:12:00.000-05:002008-11-15T09:12:00.000-05:00"But, there is a fundamental difference between wh..."But, there is a fundamental difference between what is offered by people who have our best interests in mind and the random reader reviewer who just wants to be mean or find fault for no reason. Sadly there are too many of those and I am not sure this philospohy applies to them. Just my thoughts. Be careful spending too much effort in considering it all."<BR/><BR/>Actually, Sharon, it does apply. This strategy is your best protection against mean and spiteful reviews. "Best Friend" and "Disinterested Observer" won't be hurt by them, and will call them exactly what they are.<BR/><BR/>I did have one reviewer who trashed Kiss. My Observer said, "Hmm. Wonder what the rest of her reviews are like?"<BR/>I read a few and decided I was in pretty good company. When I think of the review now, I think it's funny.Mary Margrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04777940150169201630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-32126246558613537542008-11-14T23:19:00.000-05:002008-11-14T23:19:00.000-05:00Excellent advice. Now comes the fun of putting it ...Excellent advice. Now comes the fun of putting it into practice, yes ladies!? Critique, proofreading, editing, whatever you want to call it is naturally essential to the publishing game, and I think we all realize it even if it does sting a bit. Deb, our friends, even agents do want us to succeed, so thier advice is probably going to be constructive and wise.<BR/><BR/>But, there is a fundamental difference between what is offered by people who have our best interests in mind and the random reader reviewer who just wants to be mean or find fault for no reason. Sadly there are too many of those and I am not sure this philospohy applies to them. Just my thoughts. Be careful spending too much effort in considering it all.Sharon Lathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09539439531975181469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-46127093227836469602008-11-14T18:58:00.000-05:002008-11-14T18:58:00.000-05:00This is wonderful advice, MM, and I will try to ta...This is wonderful advice, MM, and I will try to take it to heart. I just got word from Danielle that my ARCs are being sent out to long lead reviewers and I am nervous, to say the least. One thing I have had to learn is that an objective viewpoint can, indeed, show you something in the forest that you haven't been able to see for the trees.Christina Harlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03573077374647045372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-46206151775899010862008-11-14T16:36:00.000-05:002008-11-14T16:36:00.000-05:00I think I need to carve this in stone and post it ...I think I need to carve this in stone and post it on the wall! Thanks, MM!Cheryl Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11464377381132807409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-30975023896446920322008-11-14T15:54:00.000-05:002008-11-14T15:54:00.000-05:00Very thoughtful and helpful. I am going to keep th...Very thoughtful and helpful. I am going to keep this in mind, but I usually find my critique group are spot on, and my book is always better for their insights.Michele Ann Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04014331460819358895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-89063962657020345062008-11-14T14:20:00.000-05:002008-11-14T14:20:00.000-05:00Kendra,Studies of people who say they're "good at ...Kendra,<BR/><BR/>Studies of people who say they're "good at taking criticism" distance themselves in exactly the way I've suggested--I've simply adapted the process to a writer's skills.<BR/><BR/>Try reading some of those reviews pretending that you've switched identities with your best friend. Let me know what difference (if any) it makes.Mary Margrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04777940150169201630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-57289859561445813402008-11-14T14:11:00.000-05:002008-11-14T14:11:00.000-05:00Linda, you're too funny.Linda, you're too funny.Mary Margrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04777940150169201630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-80706103140664641162008-11-14T13:10:00.000-05:002008-11-14T13:10:00.000-05:00Great idea, MM! I never thought of trying to remo...Great idea, MM! I never thought of trying to remove myself from it quite like that. I've gotten much better at accepting constructive criticism (um, key word is "constructive," though!), and I really value it from my CP, my agent, and Deb, all of whom have an excellent eye. You hit the nail on the head about Deb's particular gift, too:-) I've never been unhappy about an added scene!<BR/><BR/>I'll admit to be VERY bad at taking lousy amazon reviews:-)Kendra Leigh Castlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10254059079950439368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-17049085676710675842008-11-14T12:03:00.000-05:002008-11-14T12:03:00.000-05:00Very good MM!Years ago I had an editor tell me to ...Very good MM!<BR/><BR/>Years ago I had an editor tell me to never take it personally and anything she suggested was to make my book better. That it was MY book, not hers and she wanted it to be the best one ever. Then she asked me if I put away my voodoo doll. :><BR/><BR/>LindaLinda Wisdomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04398941824875217938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-91207465048979686692008-11-14T11:57:00.000-05:002008-11-14T11:57:00.000-05:00MM--very interesting ideas! I'm always one for con...MM--very interesting ideas! I'm always one for constructive criticism. But as you point out, it is hard not to take things personally when it's your very own writing!Danielle Jackson Dresserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293766728921704640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-21772262269900960472008-11-14T11:17:00.000-05:002008-11-14T11:17:00.000-05:00I agree. My agent has a gift for spotting what's w...I agree. My agent has a gift for spotting what's wrong with a sentence that doesn't quite work. Her suggestions always make my writing better.<BR/><BR/>Deb (our Casablanca editor for those who don't know) has the special genius of seeing what should be added. Sometimes it's a scene, sometimes only a sentence or two, but it's facscinating to see how much richer and fuller everything around it becomes.Mary Margrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04777940150169201630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-81309300195162341792008-11-14T10:15:00.000-05:002008-11-14T10:15:00.000-05:00Great info, MM. Criticism is definitely a big part...Great info, MM. Criticism is definitely a big part of the writing business. Personally, I love getting a comment from my agent or editor that makes the book suddenly much better. There is that ah ha moment of seeing it from a whole new, and better, perspective.Marie Forcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00550719567520289405noreply@blogger.com