Reviews
June 13, 2006 by Melissa
Ahhh, one thing most writers hate to talk about. I have had some good and some bad. Today I read a particularly nasty one on Amazon. If I didn’t know it was the opposite of what everyone else says, it would have really ruined my day. Sometimes you just have to step back and think about her complaints. Apparently, the reviewer didn’t understand that when you have an anthology, you can’t finish every thread in the story and you are leading to others. Oh, and the longest novella, well, it has more of a story and apparently that is boring. I will not do what many other authors do and beg for people to complain about it or go rate it down. I believe this woman was giving her true opinion of my book in there and I will never have her as a reader. That is all right by me because not everyone is going to like my writing. I know I don’t like some of the big time FAVORITE authors out there right now. I do think she was particularly nasty and personally insulted me, but oh well, small people, small minds.
From the beginning I was rated down by some because I have a lot of plot, LOTS of romance and I like to build sexual tension. I would rather take three or four chapters to take the sexual tension higher. And I have talked on my blog before about this, that I will not write erotic romance for NY. I can’t they don’t understand it and I will not compromise myself just to get to NY. I live true to my characters. Not saying everyone getting to NY is changing for that, but that is what I have been asked to do and I refuse.
Having a great day on Ciar and Leigh’s group! Great bunch of readers:)
Comments
8 Responses to “Reviews”
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Hey Melissa! I’m glad you aren’t letting that person get you down. Everyone has their own opinion, but if the person doesn’t have an open mind to begin with, their opinion is probably not worth much.
You are an awsome author, and I hope to read your books for many years to come!
Chell
I really enjoy the building of sexual tension. I want to be taken to a point where the (involved parties) HAVE to have sex or they’ll literally explode.
The tease is a big part of the game to me
I’m not above changing some things but when I’m asked to no longer be true to the characters, I have problems.
Good for you for reading the comments on Amazon and using the Salt Lick of Reality while you do so!
thanks everyone and that was not my intention to get compliments, but I’ll take them, lol. I think the thing I want people to understand is whatever you write, the author is going to read it more than likely. I have no problem if she had a problem with the basic romance, but it isn’t even mentioned in the review. She just didn’t like my voice, and I know that is a common thing, many an editor and agent in NY has told me the same thing, lol.
I admire your gumption to stay true to yourself in spite of a NY contract. I could never be harsh about an author and their work but if I did feel strongly about parts of their book and what I didnt’t like, I would simply email them. I have emailed authors while I’m reading their book and asked questions but I always think of my golden rule I was taught “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all”.
I have quite a great collection of you work Mel and I’m happy.
Cheers!
I do not mind a criticism. Like I said on the loop today, worst experience was being critiqued out loud while I was in the room, at the tender age of 20 where you think you know everything. I have no problem that someone didn’t like my book, and I know that people either love my voice or hate it. No problem there, but other than one complaint, she didn’t really back it up. I am sorry, I am boring to some because I stick to a straight romance with hot love scenes. Its what I like:)
I love your book because o the story first - then the heat! I love to have a good story!
Mel, I always learned a review is one person’s feelings about the book, not meaning that its the book. Its the person’s preference.
Like when I see a review I say ‘wow, that person loved the same thing I loved about that book’
I remember some raving about an author and I just couldnt get into the books but that didnt mean they were bad. I never tho, express that because my one opinion won’t represent all the others, LOL.
Just keep believing in yourself!
As long as she doesn’t keep buying my books are trashing them, I don’t care, lol. I know not everyone is going to like my books, and I would have rather that she be gentler with her comments, but oh well, lol. I am not her cup of tea and that is fine with me(especially when I have such wonderful readers already)