I keep trying to learn this author thing. It is so different from the world I have lived successfully for forty years as a lawyer. Years ago, when was a young lawyer and was doing litigation I learned that winning a case was far better than losing. I liked winning and I worked really hard so that the winning part came predictably. I found it was much easier to win if I carefully chose my clients and the cases for which I would mount a war. There really are cases and causes that are worthy and clients that are sympathetic and deserving. But at the end of the day, I would be the first to admit that I like to win. Like lawyers everywhere my ego needs feeding. I admit it.
Now as I walk down this path as an author, I really have mixed emotions about reviews. Of course, I would be lying if I said that I did not welcome a good review. I do. I love it when someone says that they like my books. I really do. I had hoped from day one that people would like them. However, what I did not expect was the effects of bad reviews or no reviews at all. Bad reviews are the other side of the coin of good reviews. For some reason, unkind words are more easily written to a stranger in the virtual world that is the internet. In one respect they are devastating. Yet, the sting of criticism keeps me grounded in the here and now. Even the harsh words of criticism are part of the learning experience. Bad reviews are something to help me grow and learn and they represent more feedback than I ever got from a jury or a judge. I have lived my life for many long years and I know that not everyone will like me or like what I do or how I express myself. I wouldn’t be grounded in the real world if I didn’t know and understand that ultimate truth. I can live with the bad reviews, and yes, in today’s vernacular, “I get over it!” The criticism builds a resistance–a type of insulation. There haven’t been many bad reviews but the few that I have had are appreciated. I hope that they help me to learn how to be an author and write with my full heart into the story.
Even harder to take than the bad reviews are the “no reviews”, although this too is understandable in today’s world. Who has time, or who wants to take the time to write a review to help someone else learn. That is the sad reality. Unfortunately, there are few mentors who care enough for a total stranger to pen encouraging words.
I’ve been reading the author blogs about reviews. It seems I am not the only one out there with mixed emotions about reviews. The blogs are helpful because they have shown me the uncomfortable reality–if you are going to play on the stage with the writers, the professional ones don’t get too hung up on what other people say about their works. Thanks guys. That’s what I needed to hear.