I’m really proud when I get a great review. I know it’s delightful for any author and so
it should be. But when it happens on one of my books, then of course for me
it’s personal. Let’s face it, 5 stars are the best you can get. And when your
readers let you know you’ve given them a great read, well then the confirmation
that you’ve done your job makes a lot of the drudgery of creating a good story
worthwhile.
it should be. But when it happens on one of my books, then of course for me
it’s personal. Let’s face it, 5 stars are the best you can get. And when your
readers let you know you’ve given them a great read, well then the confirmation
that you’ve done your job makes a lot of the drudgery of creating a good story
worthwhile.
And no matter what anyone tells you, that prominent rating
is important. Let’s face it, not everyone will be passing out 5-star reviews
and it’s understandable and acceptable. Not everyone who chooses your book likes the same thing.
is important. Let’s face it, not everyone will be passing out 5-star reviews
and it’s understandable and acceptable. Not everyone who chooses your book likes the same thing.
It could be the characters they dislike, the genre
or maybe they just aren’t partial to say… too many cuss words. I’ve actually
had reviewers tell me they were keen on the plot and even the romance but they
didn’t like the sex.
or maybe they just aren’t partial to say… too many cuss words. I’ve actually
had reviewers tell me they were keen on the plot and even the romance but they
didn’t like the sex.
Fair enough.
In some extremes, people can be so fickle that if they
dislike a heroine’s name it can sway their overall enjoyment to where the story
is good but there’s just something about it that isn’t quite right…..humm!
dislike a heroine’s name it can sway their overall enjoyment to where the story
is good but there’s just something about it that isn’t quite right…..humm!
Heck, I know for a fact that in one of my earlier
books I had a hero who smoked, and that totally turned off a fan. Since the
tale took place in the 60’s I was trying to be realistic to the times. Didn’t
matter! For her and maybe others, it was a no-no.
books I had a hero who smoked, and that totally turned off a fan. Since the
tale took place in the 60’s I was trying to be realistic to the times. Didn’t
matter! For her and maybe others, it was a no-no.
Another time, while discussing reviews with a book
group, I was told that quite a few of the ladies didn’t like men with hairy
chests. That it could certainly influence their liking for one of the main
characters if continued references were made to that fact. Would it lessen the
enjoyment for them? Possibly. Could it change a 5 to a 4? Good grief, I hope
not.
group, I was told that quite a few of the ladies didn’t like men with hairy
chests. That it could certainly influence their liking for one of the main
characters if continued references were made to that fact. Would it lessen the
enjoyment for them? Possibly. Could it change a 5 to a 4? Good grief, I hope
not.
I must say everyone who gives me a sweet review is adored and revered but there’s just something about getting that highest accreditation from a reviewer whose job is reading a whole lot of books and passing out judgements. When that happens, then I’m over-the-moon ecstatic.
My 5-star validation from Goodread’s “To Be Read” reviewer: Shyla Colt
For
I bet you figured this was leading up to this moment
– right?? Just have to share…
– right?? Just have to share…
So? Is there anything better than a 5-star review?
Sure there is.
Thirty-Two 5-star reviews.
Gotcha!!
Next blog – the difference in the actual message readers
share in their reviews!
share in their reviews!
