In every profession that we endeavor to excel in, whether it’s a short or long-term, a person generally takes pride in what they do. And sometimes, those same people will make poor decisions that will ultimately affect how they’re perceived. Perception is everything, and I’ll touch base on that subject another time.

I love reading, and make no effort in hiding my obsession for romance and erotic novels. I love reading so much, that I will purposely continue reading a book that I do not like and will finish it to the end. Though, in the last year there have been only two books that I haven’t been able to do so, and will not share my opinions on why, simply out of respect.

What I will say is should you decide to criticize a book, and if you’re on author as well, take heart and think for just a moment; someone could be doing the same thing with one of your books too. Yes, I know. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, so blog away if you must. The point of this post is really to remind folks that an author, whether their writing is good or bad, still deserves respect. And if you feel strongly about their book, rant about it at least once to get it out of your system, and be done with it.

I recently came across a blog and was horrified at what this writer was doing. This particular author commented on every chapter, page by page, and delivered her opinion on the thought process behind selected sentences or phrases.

To be frank, I think it shows poor form, and gives a great detail of information of the blogger’s character. Not to mention, after trying to picture myself in that situation, my gosh…I can’t begin to tell you how it would make me feel if novel in question was mine.
Do you think I’m just being too sensitive? What would you do differently? I’d love to read your thoughts on this subject.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Layna.

I look forward to reading your thoughts on perception - I suspect that's something I need to work on.

I think part of the problem is that there's so much real rubbish out there - I'm talking books where the author clearly hasn't read it even once after writing the last word, which shows no pride at all (in fact, it makes me think 'wow, this is so boring and badly written that even the author can't stomach reading it to self-edit'). I imagine that readers get so fed up after reading so much rubbish that they lose their patience with the semi-good books or the 'good, but could be better' books. It's no excuse at all, but logic dictates that this must be the reason behind at least some rude comments to authors who didn't deserve them.

Another problem is that too many reviewers think it's okay to review the author, not taking into account that it's a book review, not an author review. There is never an excuse to bash the author (well, unless they wrote a book in which child rape is portrayed as erotic, or something equally intolerable or that may cause someone to be hurt). I read one slam review that had me in fits of laughter, though - I can't recall the book title, but it was non-fiction, written by a man about how to 'keep your woman in check', basically. It read like a rape manual, really, and the author was clearly sexist beyond belief. The reviewer said that, after reading his book, she felt the urge to turn lesbian. LOL. I think that one was deserved, though, considering the topic and angle the author took!

I think the post on how to write a good review is probably valid here, too. Those are my basic thoughts on reviewing and what should and shouldn't be said in a review.

The times I've really hated a book and felt the urge to slam it, I've written a hectic rant review, then deleted it and wrote the real review. After the rant is out of my system, I can be objective again, keeping in mind that not all readers will share my opinions and that a reviewer needs to be impartial as far as possible (although a review must also contain the reader's opinion).

Some of the reviews I've received were clearly author bashing by people who hadn't bothered reading the book (based on the lack of understanding their comments show). Some are even there simply to sabotage me, I suspect - such as the one that claims that I gloss over the battles scenes in my series, when, in fact, the main battle scene continues to the next chapter! I hardly call that 'glossing over' and think I know who that person is, actually...

Grief, that author you mention clearly has too much time on her hands (those are the ones who take the time to do nasty things like page-by-page 'reivews') - although... that sounds far more like a critique than a review; perhaps the author asked for critique and she merely presented it as a review? Still, public critique of that sort feels a bit off to me - how can it help the writer if they're too busy feeling humiliated or picked apart to take note of what's been said?

As far as you being too sensitive is concerned... you're a writer; no more need be said Even John Connolly won't read a review of one of his books if the first sentence makes it sound like it's going to be a negative review - he says it upsets him too much. I think authors have a right to be sensitive over our work; after all the passion, love, time, blood, sweat and tears we put into our books, we have a right to be offended and upset if someone breaks it down without taking the time to understand it or read it finished, or for sabotage purposes (this happens often, to many authors)... It's really the same as going up to some stranger in the street and telling her what an ugly baby she has, since our books are our babies...

Interesting topic. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is sensitive about what I write and feels upset if it's rejected or criticized

On the other hand, writers are a bit like any person who is in the public view - you put yourself out there and you must expect to get comments on or criticism of your work. Unfortunately, you don't always get constructive criticism... I suppose to a certain extent you just have to develop a thicker emotional skin.

MegS wrote:


Thicker skin is a must, yes.

Thank you for the comments Meg and Vanessa!

A thick skin is indeed necessary for this line of business, I guess my issue is, I find it unprofessional when you start analyzing a book in a degrading way.

Oh well, like I said in the beginning of my post, this is only my opinion. I do my best to respect others and their work. If I do not like a book, I think I'm being courteous by not voicing my disdain for it.

We're all professionals and trust me when I say, the last thing I want to do is convince a potential or current publisher, that I'm not capable of putting good behaviour out there. All sorts of inquisitive eyes notice that kind of sh*t and I've personally stopped following authors that are rude and disprespectful.

Again, thank you for your comments ladies!

If anyone else has an opinion, please voice it. There is no wrong or write right answer/opinion, the point here is to engage in conversation.

Layna wrote:


Could you maybe give us an example of the type of comment you're referring to? It doesn't have to be an actual example, just something so we get a better idea. I thought you meant those 'reviewers' who trash authors and get personal in their 'reviews', but now I'm not sure

Layna wrote:


I agree, and I tend to not review books I really hated (in fact, if I really hated them, it's doubtful I'd read them to the end, in which case a review would be unfair).

I do agree with you Layna, to criticize each chapter, page by page, was being more than critical on the book and the author. To give your opinion on the thought process behind selected sentences or phrases as the person did was totally uncalled for, in my opinion. That was an over kill so to speak. I prefer to use constructive criticism when making a comment on the work of another, rather it be their writing or their art. But like Layna, that is my opinion. Each and everyone has to make the decision in how they write a review on anothers work. But I do hope that none of you are as hardcore as the one who Layna is talking about here. Criticsm is something to be helpful to the writer or artist, and it can be done in a constructive manner. Again, my opinion.

CherokeeRose wrote:


Oh yes, now I remember... Sorry re my last question - blonde moment after spending the day immersing my brain in politics (I'm sure it causes brain damage of sorts). I also now realise my last comments about reviewing seem totally off topic, in a sense

The only time I would pick apart a book page by page is if the author or his/her publisher paid me to do so for critique and improvement purposes. Otherwise, that's serious overkill and, to me, is a sign of a seriously arrogant person, a person with major self-doubt issues or one who dislikes the author for personal reasons. I'm not sure why else someone would waste their time doing something like that. Anyone?

I think some reviewers forget that the review is for readers, not authors - they can be good tools for authors to learn where their perceived weaknesses are, but it's not supposed to be an in-depth critique. The only thing potential readers really want to know is if other readers think it's worth the money.

Vanessa wrote:


I knew something was not so right, but I am glad you, "realized my last comments about reviewing seem totally off topic, in a sense." Politics can cause brain damage. You know I am teasing here about the brain damage. I totally agree with you now. Or did you agree with us? So true though, the only time to pick apart a book page is if you are asked to. But as I said in my previous post that you quoted. Writers, and even artists, need to be inspired, not torn apart. In other words, not discouraged, but encouraged with the critique you do on their work. As you have said Vanessa, "use tactful critique."

Yup, someone should tell that 'reviewer' that a review is an opinion of the overall work, not a line by line slashing of said work. It's a problem that so many 'reviewers' haven't got the first clue about what a review actually is or its purpose.