Friday, October 24, 2014

Review Reaction

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 9:20 A.M.

In the past week or so, I've heard the latest case of an author reacting badly to a negative review. I won't go into detail as I'm sure it won't be the last case I hear.

The correct reaction to reviews is to have no reaction. Ideally we let our work go, and readers may say what they will about it. However, I understand the lingering attachment to one's work. To the writer, the work can be intensely personal and involve getting in touch with one's emotions.

My solution is not to repress reaction, but to have it, if I must, in private. What's said in a review may hurt me, but if the review was truly written maliciously, my hurt reaction is exactly what the reviewer wants to see, and a public reaction is more likely to reflect badly on me than on the reviewer.

Get any frustration out in private, and maintain a professional front.

2 comments:

Fred Zackel said...

I forget where I saw it this week, but some blogger said reviews are not written for the author. I am learning to take comfort from that.

Fred Zackel said...

I found the source. Steve Weddle over at Do Some Damage. Fine advice.