So, you've written a book. The days of crying, wrestling, whining, procrastinating and too much chocolate are finally over. The books arrived at your door step.
You touch the book, open it carefully and hold your breath while quickly scanning the pages... and you silently pray, 'please, don't let there be any typo's.'
You place it on your desk and enthusiastically leave copies all over the house: on the coffee table, the kitchen counter, the front porch, in the bathroom and the glove compartment of your car. It´s probably better for everyone that your husband stopped you before venturing out into the neighborhood.
You restrain yourself and carefully plan the announcements on your social media. Not too much, not too much, lest people will grow tired of your efforts. You check Amazon two thousand times a day to see whether someone left a review or purchased the Kindle version that you practically offered for free. It's your book, it's your baby, it's your tears and your pain.
Everyone told you it would be like this and yet.... the agony is worse than imagined. Will readers like the book or will they nail it to the floor? Will they tell others about it or will their silence drown your story? Legitimate questions of course, but maybe we're missing the most important one: Why fear the reviews?
We all need honest feedback, even if it hurts. It is part of the writing process which, by the way, does NOT stop when the book goes to print. Good, unbiased reviews build our character and sharpen our writing skills and purposes. As a matter of fact, I believe they should be the fertilizer for our next work!
I'll share some recommendations from recent reviews about my latest book Spirit of Truth in my next blog post. But besides that, I am curious... what are your experiences with writing or receiving reviews?
I had to laugh as I read this. As you know, I just released my baby into the world yesterday and I did exactly as you said. How may typos are there? How many Kindle versions sold? Has anyone who read the pre-release left a review yet? Why not?? Will it be good? Why not?? It's like torture...a slow, slow torture. But your'e right. I have to learn from those dreaded critical reviews. Ugh. Life lessons. Great post. And so timely!
ReplyDeleteHa Elsie, I am so happy that your book is out and that you recognize the things in this post :) We are a crazy bunch of writers, but that's okay. We struggle, we learn, we grow and it always help to encourage one another!
DeleteHi, I agree with you that good and unbiased reviews build our character and sharpen our writing skills and make us better writers, but we have to be open to receiving this feedback.
ReplyDeleteYeah that's the key Rachna, not fearing but being open to receive. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYes, this is so true and to the point! I keep clicking on Amazon to check books!
ReplyDeleteI knew it, I knew it.... I am not the only one :)
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