tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post1744655678580231836..comments2024-03-18T08:33:25.907-04:00Comments on Inkwell Inspirations: Rising Above Negativity, Bad Reviews, and Vexing Contest FeedbackLisa Karon Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02175430876079208723noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-499744482299930472020-05-18T22:36:50.962-04:002020-05-18T22:36:50.962-04:00Lovely post, Susie! I'm always amazed at some ...Lovely post, Susie! I'm always amazed at some of the bad reviews for books I loved. I agree with Debra that books with only glowing reviews sometimes seem suspect, though, and not everyone is going to have the same experience while reading a book. Although it's easier said than done, it's wise to keep a sense of humor and not dwell on the negative reviews. I'm sure it's harderWinniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09906713469755821006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-63140768409041330142020-05-18T11:49:05.785-04:002020-05-18T11:49:05.785-04:00Excellent point, Deb. When a review or contest fee...Excellent point, Deb. When a review or contest feedback shines a light on our weak spots or, conversely, an area where we've been vulnerable as writers, it can be painful.<br />The thing that bothers me most as an author (both pre-published and published) is a mean-spirited comment. During contest days, this was especially hard to deal with since it meant I didn't want to listen to that Susanne Dietzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710634601407161821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-52467938568940367342020-05-18T11:41:06.440-04:002020-05-18T11:41:06.440-04:00You are an excellent reviewer and I know I'm n...You are an excellent reviewer and I know I'm not the only author who appreciates all of the time, thought, and effort you put into your reviews, Rebecca! You're right, too, about star and numerical ratings not always being helpful. I've judged several contests (and reviewed books) and it can be subjective. Each person tends to have a bias or a button issue, too. I read an inspy Susanne Dietzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710634601407161821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-52747365645068031372020-05-18T11:10:54.984-04:002020-05-18T11:10:54.984-04:00I read, review, and read reviews. And curiously en...I read, review, and read reviews. And curiously enough I pay attention to the lower ratings and then work my way back up. Personally, I think the "whole star" rating system doesn't do authors any favors. A few years ago, I started putting 3.5 or 4.5 books in my comments sometimes to communicate weaknesses that weren't necessarily game changers (according to Goodreads, three Rebecca Maneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04547379537915346065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7502152359497137754.post-5707580681633459432020-05-18T08:52:22.464-04:002020-05-18T08:52:22.464-04:00ouch. I don't like them. I agree that a variet...ouch. I don't like them. I agree that a variety of reviews is good for both the reader and the writer. They feel more genuine if they aren't all glowing five star reviews. I admit I always read 3 star reviews if contemplating a book where I'm not familiar with the author. What's painful is not the bad review that means the reader didn't 'get it' and it's more of a Debra E. Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17853387871623424853noreply@blogger.com