Are You Dealing With Bad Reviews?

I had started a comment on a blogger friend's article and decided to create an article instead because it had grown larger and more complex than what I believe is appropriate for a comment. Thank you, Auden, for inspiring this post.

I'll quote the original question which prompted this response: 

There's a ton of advice out there on how to deal with bad reviews. They like to say "dwell on the good reviews." What if you don't have any glowing reviews to off-set the negative/indifferent ones?

I've had my two short stories on Amazon since 2012 and one of them has exactly one review and the other a whopping five reviews. I can tell you this much. I didn't ask for reviews, but when I got them, I was pleased. I'm far from inspired by the numbers, but I'm flattered by and appreciate the favorable responses by those who appreciated my work. However, I've not written or produced much these days and that makes me sad.

On the contrary, though a bad review has to hurt, it's not a lost cause, because bad reviews are those things that prompt you to explore and improve! Especially if you're passionate about storytelling.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you feel you're not getting the feedback you desire. Do you attend a lot of writing conferences? I know they can be expensive, but the advice and information you walk away with is so wonderful! Have you joined a writing critique group? In-person group sessions can help your writing out quite a bit. Don't shrink away from advice and constructive criticism. It's out there. 

I've joined both, the Tallahassee Writers Association and the Florida Writers Association. Both organizations have welcomed me in such ways I can't even explain. You need to be around people who are driven and wired the same way you are in order to learn the lessons and solutions of the trade. These folks are willing to be there for you because their struggles are the same. 

Lethal Injection, The Seed is 7 pages, received almost 400 downloads, and I have 5 reviews, 1 from a relative. The story has no action but is described as powerful. How does that happen? Writing classes, conferences, critiques, and encouragement helped my confidence in putting the story out there. It's the readers who will figure out if it works or if it doesn't. If it doesn't work, I agree, it would be helpful if readers would provide better feedback. Unfortunately, they are not required to give anything of value. It's other writers who will fill that void.

So how do we improve as writers and storytellers? Stephen King advises that we read, read, and read some more. However, how do you take the time to read if you're pumping out novel after novel? After all, Dean Koontz does it! He has an excuse. He's famous and people buy his books because it's branded already. Come on! He's Dean Koontz. 

If you don't have the time to read much, do like I do. Audio books! They are great because I pop them in on my way to work, and they start up again when I'm driving home. 

:)

Hope I've been helpful in some ways.

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Google Store Addition - My New App

My first app!

So I haven't posted anything in over a week. Blasphemous, I know! I've been busy at work and so much is going on these days I feel like I can't accomplish anything. Changes at work and a little side action (if you know what I mean). That means I'm learning new stuff! Get your minds out of the gutter.

Much of my evenings has been dedicated to learning how to use the tools needed to build mobile apps. I started out making changes for an organization and once I updated theirs successfully, the bug hit me. I needed an app to compile all my art and social outlets together. What writer wouldn't want something like that, huh? Their own portfolio portal! Was that redundant?

Every evening at exactly 7:00, I would shimmy up to my iMac and plug away at my design. It's not the bestest and greatest I'm sure, but it's MINE. Kind of like the draft manuscript that you just finished. You know the feeling, you just have to publish it right away, it's just that awesome. Shameless to say, I did just that.

So, only my blog readers know about this link and I only have an Android version published. I have an iPhone distribution ready, but haven't had a successful upload into the Apple Store just yet. Coming soon.

A peek at my fashion web template

Be kind. Please use the app and give me feedback. Even if you only download it to test it out and never use it again. I'm sure to improve. If it totally sucks, I need to know this too! Just as if in a writing critique group, let me have it. I will update and make it better, I promise.

Notables, as in Diane Carlisle notable projects. I take checks. No seriously, it's FREE! But if you want a website, I have to charge for that. I'm completely affordable. The app has a "get a quote" form.

P.S. I'm willing to hire a graphics artist to redo my header on the app. Any takers? I know it sucks. Use my app contact form and shoot me an estimate.



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The Inspiring Blogger Award

Eve Gaal at The Desert Rocks has nominated me for an award I'd not received yet, so let me just say THANK YOU!!

Also, thanks to Ms. Charity at This Is Life ~ by Charity Pence for nominating me for another Liebster Award. It's a different graphic too, so it's going on my award board.

I’m supposed to start by mentioning seven things—hopefully inspiring things—about myself. Then I must nominate other bloggers, link to them, and make notification. So here it is, and here I go:


7 Things About Me, The Writer

What got me into writing fiction? I played a text-based role-playing game called Threshold. If you sign up to play, please indicate that Pyrosama referred you. How does one go from gamer to fiction writer? There are 10 Milestones.

The first article I'd ever been paid for was less than 500 words.  Go figure, it’s about a game, Legend of Kyrandia. Find it here.

Two years ago, I joined the Tallahassee Writers Association and the Florida Writers Association. Both have secured me a network of like-minded people who share my passion for writing, and who are dedicated in helping others with learning the craft by sharing their experiences and valuable resources.

Last year, I became TWA's Electronic Newsletter Editor. I am ecstatic to serve in such a prestigious role and I would never have had the opportunity had I not put myself out there and volunteered to do the very things I'm passionate about, writing and collaborating in order to produce a product. How much more happiness can I ask for?

I've had a combined download count of 302 for my short stories, Snow Leopard (142) and Lethal Injection, The Seed (160). That means people are reading, I hope!

I made it to chapter 8 of my WIP, Precinct 9. There's a first. I never made it through chapter 5 in my previous attempts.

When people ask me what I do for a living, I want to say, "I write."

Why? Because that's what makes me feel alive. Forget that it doesn't pay the bills.

~ ~ ~

The reason for the award is inspiration, so here are the authors and/or bloggers who have inspired me and the reasons why. There are many more, but they have the award already! I looked for a smiley to put here, but I couldn't find one, so just imagine I put it right here, or about 20 words ago.

L. T. Dalin  for her word counts. They remind me to write, even if I don't feel like it.

Auden, Dark Treasury   for her dark fantasy fiction topics. A kindred soul.

J.W. Alden   for the deep thoughts that always get me thinking - NO, they won't stop...must stop...thinking!

Randi, The Emotional Process of Writing a Novel   for always creating the topics I love to talk about. Almost always about writing, which is definitely my inspiration to, you know, write!