Please welcome guest author Ginger Simpson to the blog today. She’s the author of historical romances like Odessa and Sparta Rose, and “much, much more” and she’s ruminating on reviews in this fabulous post. Take it away, Ginger!
Reviews are a puzzling part of life. I never gave them much thought until I became an author and had to forward my books to various sites for opinions on my work. I sat on pins and needles, hoping the person to whom my work was assigned liked what they read. I’ve been fortunate… most gave me higher than expected marks for my effort.
The reason I’m mentioning reviews is that I can’t help but wonder how many people let one person’s review of a book, movie or restaurant color their decision to try it on their own. Today, while driving home, the DJ on my radio station mentioned the sad review a new movie had received—one star. Do people realize this is only ONE person’s opinion? Will they stay away because of what the reviewer wrote? I’m sure the cast of characters in the flick laughed all the way to the bank. Are they as affected as we authors?
Sometimes opinions are based on moods. Most women can verify that what may be good on Monday can take a hormonal swing and turn into a pile of poop by Wednesday. How many times has a friend told you about a bad meal or poor service at an eating establishment? Did you stay away because of it?
I guess it’s the rebel in me because I’m challenged by bad reviews. I want to try for myself—to read the book, see the movie or eat in the restaurant that someone else found not to their liking. I want to form my own opinion and see if I agree. So far, it’s worked well. I’ve often picked up a book that reviewed poorly and discovered it quite entertaining. I’ve laughed until my sides ached at a movie that someone found not the least bit funny. The on-the-ball service and melt-in-my-mouth steak couldn’t possibly have come from the same restaurant some critic wrote up as lackluster and blah.
Reviews are subjective, and although I value people’s rights to their opinion, I’m sometimes totally turned off by the cruel manner in which they share it. I always wonder how people become critics or movie reviewers, or even a book reviewer. What qualifies someone to make or break someone else’s ego? I guess having no conscience is the first requirement.
I’m certainly glad that the majority of readers who write for review sites have tact and are refined enough to pepper in the reports of problem areas with the good points that always exist in most any novel. Maybe because I’m an author, it’s easy for me to remember that every book is somebody’s labor of love, and I would never suppose to annihilate one. When I reviewed and discovered what I considered a flaw in a book (passive voice, repetitive words) I put them aside and looked for the strengths. I always found them.
If I go to a restaurant and encounter a problem…I address with the establishment or the customer service relations people. If there’s a problem and you don’t let them know, how can they fix it? There are ways to do things and then there are nicer ways to do them. I prefer the kinder, warm fuzzy approach. That’s just me.
Thanks so much, Ginger! Please stop by Ginger’s blogs, Dishin’ It Out and Cowboy Kisses, and I know she’d love to have you peruse her website too!
Ginger, So true!
You are so right, Ginger. A bad review can be a knife to the heart. Like someone insulting your child, and in a way it’s very similar. One other thing I try to keep in mind if I run across a nasty review amongst the 4 and 5 stars: This person was clearly not part of your targeted audience. Forget them and carry on. Write for yourself and for those who love what you do. A bad review still stings, but not nearly as severely and not for very long.
Best, Joan
http://www.joanhallhovey.com
Ginger, like you, I frequently disagree with a reviewer’s opinion of a movie or book. I’d rather judge for myself. Do you remember the Tom Cruise movie TOP Gun? It was panned by seveeral critics, why I can’t recall, yet it went on to become a huge hit. Just one example of reviewers getting it wrong!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I definitely never listen to other people’s opinions on restaurants, movies, and books.
Thanks, ladies, for stopping by. I recently had a review of First Degree Innocence that didn’t come close to the other favorable reviews I’ve gotten. Yes, it stung, but I did keep reminding myself that maybe the person had a hemorrhoid and wanted to be a pain in someone elses behind. 🙂 Yes, I’ve got the tough skin, but I’m still working on the feelings to go along with my rhino hyde. 🙂 It’s hard to be reviewed and not be able to defend yourself, but responding is one of the worst things an author can do. Just swallow it and let it go. Someone else will follow with something to make your day. At least, that’s how it’s been for me.
You’re right on target, Ginger. That tough, negative-repellent hide we have to develop doesn’t always prevent bruised feelings, but I like your approach! 🙂
Ginger, have you applied for Andy Rooney’s position on 60 Minutes yet? Maybe you’d consider it?
You make tons of sense!
If a guy reviews a movie and it’s a love story, I’ll watch it anyway, because they simply don’t understand that as long as the hero and heroine are halfway decent, I’ll want to see it. (On DVD, though, now, since we can’t afford to go to the movies that often anymore.)
As far as book reviews are concerned, I usually skim them just to get an idea what the story is about. I don’t pay too much other attention to them, especially Amazon, because I know there are some mean people out there doing bad reviews for the fun of it.
Morgan Mandel
You made some great points, Ginger, and I am like you in that I like to try something for myself. I do read reviews of books and movies, but don’t often let them sway me one way or the other. I know this is all very subjective and what one person likes another will not. Hell, our family can’t even decide on where to go to dinner as a group. LOL
Agree that reviews are subjective. We all know what we like and what we don’t. Writers today are at the mercy, not just of ‘professional’ critics, but of anyone who can string a few words together. I know of one reviewer who deleted her 5 star review (on Amazon) and replaced it with a 1 star review after she ‘fell out’ with the author on FB! I’ve also seen glowing 5 star reviews which I know are written by an author’s husband! I’ve learnt to take no notice of reviews, but to form my own opinion of the books I read, and I hope the readers of my books will do the same.
As a reviewer (music) let me assure you that a lack of conscience is not a requirement. Passion and knowledge of the subject matter are quite useful, though.
Believe it or not, not every album, or book is a “labor of love.” Many are contractual obligations or simply amazing displays of ego. I’ve spoken with many artists who readily admitted that they produced a sub-standard product…it’s just usually an after-the-fact admission, used to hype their latest project.
That said, I can understand the frustration of an artist. But I certainly hope that people know that as a critic, I am useless if I am not honest.
Most importantly, people should use reviewers the way I always have…as a tool. When looking for a reviewer, I research their opinions based on my likes and dislikes. When I find one that matches the majority of the time, then I can trust them to guide me to things I will enjoy.
I am a critic, first and foremost, because I want to help people enjoy things. Sometimes, that includes helping them to avoid the rest.
I like an honest review of my work. Either bad or good. Sure, I like fantastic as well as the next person.
And I do realize a little personal likes, plus mood, might go into it.
All we can do is eat them and go on.
Where one reviewer says ugh, the other might praise to the high heavens. I don’t usually read reviews. I like the blurbs, the first few pages, and then judge for myself.