Author Support Group discussion

I wonder because 3 stars is actually a very good rating, especially here on Goodreads. Although I keep telling myself this, I still get a bit depressed when I get a 3-star review. I assume this is fairly normal, as we all aspire to be better than "average." Anybody out there got a secret for changing this thinking pattern, or at the very least coping with the feeling?

I have had a real sea change in my thinking since I developed my branding statement. Seriously. I got a 1-star review a few weeks ago that would have sent me to bed in tears before that. I was able to look at it and say "Well, this person obviously wasn't part of my audience." Who is your audience, really, and what do you provide to them? Not everyone is our audience, as much as we would like to be so.

The other thing I have learned to do is go look at their rating profile. If they skew low, then I don't care as much. A 2-star rating from a person whose average is 2.75 is like water off a duck's back.

And finally, if that doesn't work? I go look at review profiles for best-selling authors. James Patterson is presently the best-selling author in the *world.* He's gotten plenty of 1-, 2- and 3-star reviews.

It's easy to say "don't let it get to you," but that's a platitude that doesn't help much. If there is anything constructive in the review for you, consider it for another project. If not? Let it go. Three stars is not a bad review.

(BTW, I have written a 4-star negative review. Loved the author's style and hated the characters.)