Comments on: A hazing ritual: The bad review

By: Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » The good review

Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » The good review — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:52:11 +0000

[...] 20th, 2009 by Sophie Masson A few weeks back, in her post, A Hazing Ritual: the bad review, my fellow WU contributor, Alison Winn Scotch, feelingly described the agony of a bad review. [...]

By: Ginny

Ginny — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:54:01 +0000

I myself find fowl language quite disturbing. All those dang feathers flying, eggs splattering everywhere. Really, I think this is quite an abuse of poultry.

It’s so much easier to discount people when they can’t even spell – but I’m a snob that way.

By: Stephanie L. Weippert

Stephanie L. Weippert — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:10:59 +0000

The part about “fowl language” made my day. You know you’re not ever supposed to write about chickens! ROTFL

And the rest of it is wise wisdom, too.

By: Cindy A

Cindy A — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:31:18 +0000

I am so glad you posted this, Allison. I get hives just going to my critique group meetings. Can’t imagine what it would feel like to be skewered in front of the world. Lordy!

By: Bryce Beattie

Bryce Beattie — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:20:44 +0000

Oh, man. I’ve got an amazon review for my novel that compares it (unfavorably) to a bean burrito from Taco Bell. One other said it would be more better to watch grass grow than to read my book.

Of course, most people have been positive about the book, and a few people have actually been fair.

I don’t mind so much when the review is bad as long as it actually points out real weaknesses in my work.

Anyway, I’ve mentioned it before elsewhere, but Stephen King has described his own work as the literary equivalent of a Big Mac. If that’s the case, I guess I’m okay being a bean burrito.

By: Richard Sutton

Richard Sutton — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:10:41 +0000

This should be required reading for all newly published writers! We all get our hopes so steamed up in the frustration of even getting published, that our often-swelled egos can use some pressure relief. Of course, I mean besides the stings that editors provide.

Now if I could only get even a one-star review, it would mean that somebody actually read all the way through the book! Besides myself, wife, children, mother, etc.

By: prue batten

prue batten — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:59:18 +0000

Alison, can I have your voodoo doll for future use? Please?

I had a bad review on Amazon.co.uk from someone who bought my book, mistakenly thinking it was non-fiction, and who felt the need to vent her disappointment. I would love to have suggested she wear glasses when she reads the descriptions in future.

But is there not an old adage that you can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time?

Great article, Alison.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:33:26 +0000

As I’m constantly reminded, there has never been a statue erected for a reviewer.

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:26:53 +0000

Great article. I’m still waiting for my first truly eviscerating review, but I know it’s bound to come. And I’m bracing for it!

By: CS

CS — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:44:31 +0000

For an unpublished writer, I think we tend to assume that everything will be all roses once we cross the threshold of publication. We forget all the negative reviews passed by peer critics, agents, and editors before publication. Why should it be any different afterwards? The savvy writer knows it’s a subjective industry. Any reader is a testament to that–no one reads everything. Why do we delude ourselves?

This was a very good post, Allison. A very real reminder that things don’t really change all that much.

By: Debra Schubert

Debra Schubert — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:48:17 +0000

I pray to the Writing Gods I’ll have to deal with a bad review one of these days (uh, oh – be careful what you wish for!). And, WHEN I do, I’ll email you to remind me why I shouldn’t take my life.;-)

By: Kathleen Bolton

Kathleen Bolton — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:05:28 +0000

Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. Your approach to bad reviews is sane, Allison. Because, really, what can you do if someone wants to hate on your book? It’s just one person’s assho–I mean, opinion anyway.

By: Sara J .Henry

Sara J .Henry — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:03:32 +0000

Or you could take the approach that writer Brad Meltzer does – in his hilariously charming YouTube video “Everybody Hates Brad Meltzer.”

http://sarainvermont.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-to-do-when-you-get-bad-reviews.html

(Sorry, not sure if I can embed links in these comments or not.)

By: Allison Winn Scotch

Allison Winn Scotch — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:21:43 +0000

LOL, Craig! Well-played. :)

Kristan – chirp, chirp. Yup, that’s me!

By: Emma

Emma — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:39:36 +0000

A super post, made me cringe visibly!

Your comment about writing books that you love reminded me of a lovely clip I heard in an interview with J.B. Priestly:

“I’ve never spent five minutes in the whole of my life wondering what audiences wanted, because my view is they don’t know what they want, so how can I puzzle my brains finding out something they don’t know. I’ve always pleased myself, I really have”