cj Sez: Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, step-fathers,
grandfathers, and adoptive fathers.
From the Lyrical Pens Archives:
A fellow writer was grieving and questioning what to do
about a one-star review on Amazon that complained about something that wasn’t in
her novel. Obviously, the reviewer hadn’t even read the book.
One- and two-star reviews can be devastating, both for
future sales and on the author. Wherever there’s an opportunity to post a
review, there will be trolls ready and waiting with low ratings—whether they’re
warranted or not. I’ve seen reviews by people who purchased an item on Amazon
then rated the product one star because they thought delivery took too long.
Had nothing to do with the quality of the product.
So where am I going with all this? It’s to reinforce why
comments and reviews need to be put in perspective. Don’t let the naysayers persuade
you that your work isn’t good. Hiding within the electronic wafers of the
Internet are nameless, faceless, and wretched on-line trolls. (Whew! I feel
better now.)
We can’t realistically expect all reviews to be five-stars (okay,
we do, but that’s beside the point). I admit to having desperate pangs when
someone dings a story. Yes, it skews the “average,” but then I re-read the good
reviews that I do have (some posted, some not) and calm down a bit. I remind
myself that I cannot please every reader out there. There will always be
someone who dislikes some characterization, challenges some datum, or is
offended by a piece of history. Always. Duh. That’s the reason there are a
gazillion different stories in multiple genres for the gazillion different readers.
If you receive a poor review from an on-line troll, consider
the source, and please do not respond to the reviewer. That could dig a deeper,
darker hole than you want to dive into. For a review like the one mentioned in
my first paragraph, perhaps a conversation with Amazon (if that’s where it is
made) might get the unjustified/ unfair review removed. Might.
In the meantime, if you’re like me, you’ll console yourself
with a treat, and a hot fudge cream puff works for me.
Speaking of reviews . . . have you taken the time to give an
on-line review for the latest book you read? You might be able to refute some
troll.
///
Passing along info…
***Call for #submissions!***Bienvenue Press is pleased to announce a Christmas-themed anthology for charity benefiting the Acadiana Writing Project.
What are we looking for? Romance stories featuring a character who works in the educational system. https://bit.ly/2Yn0iGX
***
The following is, or should be, a keeper for your personal “The
Craft of Writing” library: https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/06/power-of-pronouns-part-1
///
That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on,
and I’ll try to do the same, (Sending up prayers for your health and safety.)
cj
My love story, “Love is Immortal” is one of the short
stories in Bienvenue to the Chateau Rouge anthology.
I also have a short, short story in the bonus Lagniappe, which is a free download.
"If you like vampires and
spirits, things that vanish into thin air, or even if you don't you will love
this book. I have read all her Chateau Rouge book and never get let down."
The anthology is available through these fine sites: https://books2read.com/u/bpOMw9?fbclid=IwAR3R2NTI8nH5U8JhXwJynbxkbYQhlK4H-sbTFU5YRhGDB2CocTPkdf8TSEE
TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice
on-line from my favorite indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop
➜ Follow me . . .
➜ on
Amazon: Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj
➜ on
Facebook at: cjpetterson/author/facebook
➜ on
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
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