Marie F. Crow's Blog
June 17, 2013
The Fun of Reviews
The Good. The Bad. The…huuh?
The joys of reviews. Where can an author even start with this subject? How about the good? We love good reviews. The kind words encourage us to keep tapping away and paying all the bills that go along with publishing. They give us resolve that perhaps all the little mean devils of doubt sitting on our shoulders are wrong. A good review can be the very thing that keeps some authors going when the writer’s block stares back at them.
The reality of bad reviews is like rain on your wedding day; it could happen. It could be fairer to say they are like going to the beach without sun block and wondering the risk of getting sun burnt. It’s going to happen. It’s going to hurt. It’s going to suck. In my eyes, bad reviews do not mean you have a bad book. It means the person who read it didn’t like it. Which brings me to my next thought, the “huh?”.
Authors do a lot to provide readers a chance to preview their books. Amazon even offers a “look inside” to provide readers with a good glimpse of the plot, the writing style, and characters. I myself even have a short note saying the type of writing style I use to further provide readers with an idea of the book. Yet, as one reviewer even mentioned, readers ignore these free features leaving a negative review blaming the book or the author for the writing style or plot that they did not enjoy as if it were a surprise to them what was inside. Huuhh?
My favorite reviewer is the one that complains about the same thing that another reviewer had issues over. If they had taken the time to read the already posted reviews then they could have saved themselves, but instead they skipped that feature and leave another review mimicking the one below it. These are the same reviewers that then want to complain about their time being wasted trying to read a book they did not enjoy. Huuuh?
Let us not forget the reviewer that seems to feel that since they are safe behind a false name, they have free license to say what they want. Some even mock and insult not only the book, but also the author. I had one such reviewer that went as far as to say in their review that my positive reviews were all false and must all be “called in favors” because they personally did not enjoy the book. Huuuh?
To these reviewers, I often wonder if they understand the weight of their words. Authors are not machines that push out products leaving them with no attachment to the object. Your one star, just because you did not enjoy the book even if there was nothing wrong per say with it otherwise, can do a lot of damage to not only the book, but also the person behind the long hours and small paychecks that it belongs. I consider these reviewers bullies. They have no regards to what they do, or the affect it may have, as long as they gain their small fame by insulting something/someone. Unfortunately, there are more “bullies” than there are positive people. The proof of that being whole groups dedicated to reviews that mock and insult books and authors as if it were a goal to break someone's spirit.
Here is what I have to ask of reviewers, the next time you are sitting, fingers eager to see your name on a list, really think about the words you are going to put down for that review. Did you take the time to read the other reviews first? Did you take advantage of the free preview of the book to be sure it is a book that you may enjoy? Was there anything actually wrong with the book, or did you just not enjoy it? Does that make it worthy of a one star? Your review is just not your point of view. Your review holds the power to ruin or grow a book and the author. Be sure your words and rating are deserved.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Dies Twice,
Marie F Crow
The joys of reviews. Where can an author even start with this subject? How about the good? We love good reviews. The kind words encourage us to keep tapping away and paying all the bills that go along with publishing. They give us resolve that perhaps all the little mean devils of doubt sitting on our shoulders are wrong. A good review can be the very thing that keeps some authors going when the writer’s block stares back at them.
The reality of bad reviews is like rain on your wedding day; it could happen. It could be fairer to say they are like going to the beach without sun block and wondering the risk of getting sun burnt. It’s going to happen. It’s going to hurt. It’s going to suck. In my eyes, bad reviews do not mean you have a bad book. It means the person who read it didn’t like it. Which brings me to my next thought, the “huh?”.
Authors do a lot to provide readers a chance to preview their books. Amazon even offers a “look inside” to provide readers with a good glimpse of the plot, the writing style, and characters. I myself even have a short note saying the type of writing style I use to further provide readers with an idea of the book. Yet, as one reviewer even mentioned, readers ignore these free features leaving a negative review blaming the book or the author for the writing style or plot that they did not enjoy as if it were a surprise to them what was inside. Huuhh?
My favorite reviewer is the one that complains about the same thing that another reviewer had issues over. If they had taken the time to read the already posted reviews then they could have saved themselves, but instead they skipped that feature and leave another review mimicking the one below it. These are the same reviewers that then want to complain about their time being wasted trying to read a book they did not enjoy. Huuuh?
Let us not forget the reviewer that seems to feel that since they are safe behind a false name, they have free license to say what they want. Some even mock and insult not only the book, but also the author. I had one such reviewer that went as far as to say in their review that my positive reviews were all false and must all be “called in favors” because they personally did not enjoy the book. Huuuh?
To these reviewers, I often wonder if they understand the weight of their words. Authors are not machines that push out products leaving them with no attachment to the object. Your one star, just because you did not enjoy the book even if there was nothing wrong per say with it otherwise, can do a lot of damage to not only the book, but also the person behind the long hours and small paychecks that it belongs. I consider these reviewers bullies. They have no regards to what they do, or the affect it may have, as long as they gain their small fame by insulting something/someone. Unfortunately, there are more “bullies” than there are positive people. The proof of that being whole groups dedicated to reviews that mock and insult books and authors as if it were a goal to break someone's spirit.
Here is what I have to ask of reviewers, the next time you are sitting, fingers eager to see your name on a list, really think about the words you are going to put down for that review. Did you take the time to read the other reviews first? Did you take advantage of the free preview of the book to be sure it is a book that you may enjoy? Was there anything actually wrong with the book, or did you just not enjoy it? Does that make it worthy of a one star? Your review is just not your point of view. Your review holds the power to ruin or grow a book and the author. Be sure your words and rating are deserved.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Dies Twice,
Marie F Crow
May 26, 2013
Twitter..or also known as ALL me ALL the Time!
Twitter, or also knows as All ME, All the TIME!
One of the first things any author is told to do is to get to work on social media right away. It is the easiest way to contact a large amount of people at once. That is what “they” say. I am still trying to figure out whom these mystic, all knowing few are that we refer to as “they” with authority on every matter. When I meet them, I plan to take their names down as victims for the Risen. Brutal, brutal deaths here people.
One of these well-known avenues for social out pouring of need is Twitter. Now, Twitter in itself may not be a bad idea. How so many are using it, well that is the nature of the beast. More times then not, I watch the feed scroll fill with authors that boast their “amazing” reviews and how their books are “sweeping the nation”. Which is great! If your book is doing that then you should be filled with pride, but if you have to tell me every 5 seconds, it is no longer pride you are filled with.
There is a fine line to everything in life and a fine wine that goes along with it. Luckily, the people that are cursed with being called my friends know that I have limited patience with boasting. In fact, when asked about my book, I will often turn to the person standing beside me and tell of what good deed they have just accomplished. The meek shall inherent the earth? I don’t know. I do know that they gain my attention faster than someone screaming how wonderful they are with every conversation. Twitter holds the same truths for me. Don’t attempt to convince me to “buy this amazing book now” by filling my feed with your exclamations. You will just annoy me, and people like me, causing you to end up on a lot of avoid lists. The lady dost protest too much!
With as many authors that are on Twitter, do something to stand out from the crowd. A perfect example of this is an author that retweets other’s books. His name is still filling my feed, making sure that he is staying relevant, but he is pulling in a lot more views than the ones right below him waving their arms, fighting for your attention. You will remember his name longer than the ones that your mind has already been trained to skip over. He has learned how to walk the fine line.
The loudest author is not always the most successful. The most reviewed book is not always the best read. Learn to balance on the fine line of life and when others burn out, you will still be holding strong. Don’t expect me to take my own advice. Like Alice in Wonderland, my tiara is bedazzled with self-sabotage and good intentions, but damn it sparkles so well!
Sugar and Spice and Everything Dies Twice,
Marie F Crow
The Risen Dawning
One of the first things any author is told to do is to get to work on social media right away. It is the easiest way to contact a large amount of people at once. That is what “they” say. I am still trying to figure out whom these mystic, all knowing few are that we refer to as “they” with authority on every matter. When I meet them, I plan to take their names down as victims for the Risen. Brutal, brutal deaths here people.
One of these well-known avenues for social out pouring of need is Twitter. Now, Twitter in itself may not be a bad idea. How so many are using it, well that is the nature of the beast. More times then not, I watch the feed scroll fill with authors that boast their “amazing” reviews and how their books are “sweeping the nation”. Which is great! If your book is doing that then you should be filled with pride, but if you have to tell me every 5 seconds, it is no longer pride you are filled with.
There is a fine line to everything in life and a fine wine that goes along with it. Luckily, the people that are cursed with being called my friends know that I have limited patience with boasting. In fact, when asked about my book, I will often turn to the person standing beside me and tell of what good deed they have just accomplished. The meek shall inherent the earth? I don’t know. I do know that they gain my attention faster than someone screaming how wonderful they are with every conversation. Twitter holds the same truths for me. Don’t attempt to convince me to “buy this amazing book now” by filling my feed with your exclamations. You will just annoy me, and people like me, causing you to end up on a lot of avoid lists. The lady dost protest too much!
With as many authors that are on Twitter, do something to stand out from the crowd. A perfect example of this is an author that retweets other’s books. His name is still filling my feed, making sure that he is staying relevant, but he is pulling in a lot more views than the ones right below him waving their arms, fighting for your attention. You will remember his name longer than the ones that your mind has already been trained to skip over. He has learned how to walk the fine line.
The loudest author is not always the most successful. The most reviewed book is not always the best read. Learn to balance on the fine line of life and when others burn out, you will still be holding strong. Don’t expect me to take my own advice. Like Alice in Wonderland, my tiara is bedazzled with self-sabotage and good intentions, but damn it sparkles so well!
Sugar and Spice and Everything Dies Twice,
Marie F Crow
The Risen Dawning
May 23, 2013
There seems to be a theme!
There seems to be a theme!
The reviews are starting to pour in and I have noticed a certain theme developing. The simple truth seems to be that you either love Dawning or you hate it. I’m ok with that.
It would be ridiculous to imagine that everyone would love a book. I, myself, do not enjoy many of the mass favorites of our times. I can think of a few that have grown to become box office hits that make me want to pull my hair out with angst. Giving all the reasons that I “hate” these books, are the same reasons that many others enjoy them. You either love it or hate it.
The first book from The Risen series, Dawning seems to be following the same jagged path. Those that “love” it, love it for the rich detailing of the story. The very in-depth descriptions of not only the characters, but also of the places and scenes that take place. I have been called everything from creatively cruel to verbally barbaric from the emotions caused from the deaths and the resulting gore. Which of course, I find it very flattering.
If you cannot feel the blood on your hands with the deaths, I have failed you as an author. That is my point of view. This same point of view is what is causing some to “hate” the book. The repeated phrase of “too descriptive” keeps popping up. They would be correct.
Dawning is a very descriptive book as will be the rest of my work. As a reader, I want to be drawn into the story. I don’t want to have to imagine the smell of the roses. I want to be told the smell. I don’t want to guess at the character's features. Tell me! So as an author, I do just that.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Dies Twice,
Marie F Crow
The reviews are starting to pour in and I have noticed a certain theme developing. The simple truth seems to be that you either love Dawning or you hate it. I’m ok with that.
It would be ridiculous to imagine that everyone would love a book. I, myself, do not enjoy many of the mass favorites of our times. I can think of a few that have grown to become box office hits that make me want to pull my hair out with angst. Giving all the reasons that I “hate” these books, are the same reasons that many others enjoy them. You either love it or hate it.
The first book from The Risen series, Dawning seems to be following the same jagged path. Those that “love” it, love it for the rich detailing of the story. The very in-depth descriptions of not only the characters, but also of the places and scenes that take place. I have been called everything from creatively cruel to verbally barbaric from the emotions caused from the deaths and the resulting gore. Which of course, I find it very flattering.
If you cannot feel the blood on your hands with the deaths, I have failed you as an author. That is my point of view. This same point of view is what is causing some to “hate” the book. The repeated phrase of “too descriptive” keeps popping up. They would be correct.
Dawning is a very descriptive book as will be the rest of my work. As a reader, I want to be drawn into the story. I don’t want to have to imagine the smell of the roses. I want to be told the smell. I don’t want to guess at the character's features. Tell me! So as an author, I do just that.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Dies Twice,
Marie F Crow
