So, recently, a reader disliked a book I published. She didn't just not like it--she really didn't like it. This isn't the first time this has happened. I think the longer you are writing the more likely this is to happen. When I read reviews of New York Times Bestselling Authors' books I find that they have very mixed reviews.
I decided to move on.
But this readers voice has been staying in my head. She didn't like the end of the last book. She really thought it should have ended an entirely different way. Somehow this random person who I do not know has became the voice in the back of my mind. She is in there now. I keep thinking as I write--will she like the way this book is plotted?
How did this happen? I can't write a book under these circumstances. Every chapter I write in this work in progress, I manage to exorcise her a little bit more from my subconscious and the writing is becoming easier.
Wow. I learned a lesson. I will stay off Goodreads!
The Conditioned, Book oneThirty years ago, after the breakdown of an oil negotiation, the President of the United States decided that all people born with unusual abilities, which he would now refer to as “the condition”, would be locked away from the general public where they couldn't harm others. Parents and loved ones of these people, most of whom were children, were forced to turn them in upon penalty of death. Formed to keep the institutions secure, the Committee for the Protection of a Free Society now rules these institutions with an iron fist.
The granddaughter of one the Committee members, Addison Wade has lived her life wary of the institutions and all they represent. A woman of secrets, she is forced to turn to Safe Dawn, one of the facilities designed to hold conditioned people, when her nephew is kidnapped and, despite her best efforts, cannot be recovered. She knows the last thing anyone in 'Safe Dawn' will want to do is to help a Wade with any problems, but she is desperate and out of options.
Spencer Lewis is famous for being the premier conditioned ‘locator.’ There's no one he can't find and he has a soft spot for missing children. But, Spencer has been through a trauma and locating Jeremy Wade may be dangerous both to himself and to those around him. In addition, he takes one look at ice cold Addison Wade and wants nothing more than to knock her down a peg. Never having turned down an opportunity to help a child, he reluctantly agrees to help recover Jeremy.
In a world where nothing is as it seems and every person they encounter has his own agenda, Addison and Spencer will find that the only people they can trust are each other. But how can anyone fall in love living in a world that wants you dead just for being born?
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**Author Info**
As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework. I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.I am a mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend. We live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.
I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing. I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.
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I need to learn that too! But it's like an obsession. Most of my reviews have been great. But every now and then there's one...and it stays with me! One of my earliest and worst reviews seems to follow me around. Not only did the reviewer post it on GR, but she seemed to go out of her way to post it everywhere imaginable, as if she thought it was a public service! Another, who actually loved the book, notes in her review that the hero's face was tragically disfigured in a fire. Interesting. But not in the book!! No fire. No tragic facial disfigurement! Ah, well.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, I love the idea that someone is reading my stories...no matter what they have to say!
Keep exorcizing that voice. In my humble opinion, you have to be happy with your book first. One of my favorite authors killed off the hero in the last book I'd read of hers. It was a series, and I'm sure she had a good reason...I haven't read the next book yet...but I was pissed! LOL BUT, I did not tell her that, bottom line is that it is her story, her series and if she hadn't created such wonderful characters in the first place I wouldn't have been so invested would I. Who am I to tell her she was wrong, lol.
ReplyDeleteYou NEVER going to make everyone happy, so at least follow your heart and make yourself happy. :-)
HI Rebecca, Your current book looks SO good. And as for reviews, we are all in the same boat. I received a three star review that broke my heart because all the others were 4 and 5 star. Then I had one on Amazon that said she didn't like my "voice." Heartbreaking. Part of the business. Only thing we can do is write with our guts and souls and move on. We can't be perfect each time and can't please everyone. Hardest lesson for a writer I think!
ReplyDeleteWow. What a fascinating premise! *Adds to TBR list.*
ReplyDeleteSo far, I haven't had enough reviews to get a really bad one yet. I have, however, had a few critiques that did a number on my creativity.
I'm a member of Critters Online Workshop. I like Critters because the membership is so varied in skills and tastes. But the drawback is that sometimes you can get some really oddball critiques, and some, despite the requirement for diplomacy, can be hurtful. In particular, there was one who rather than actually critique the story, derided me for not being serious enough, for writing stories that were too light, and insisting that I'd never get published. This was years ago, and at the time, it really squashed my desire to write. I've moved on, but obviously, even now it still bugs me.
Ultimately, you can't please everyone. Just keep reminding yourself of that, and eventually that negative voice will fade away.
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteWe put our heart and soul into our work, and when someone doesn't like it, it hurts. I have a favorite author who is a NY Times Bestseller with a major motion picture for many of his books. There are people who don't like his books. It is important to stay true to yourself.
Great post!!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard hearing negative responses to your hard work. I've gotten good and bad reviews and for a moment, I think maybe I'm not good enough. Then I pull up my socks and refiuse to let it bring me down. There are going to be people wo dislike my work. doesn't mean I'm not good at what I do, it's because it just wasn't their type of book.
Keep up the good work!
Words are powerful. No one knows that better than the writer, right?
ReplyDeleteKeep pluggin' away Rebecca! You know there are so many of us out here who LOVE your work. You need to frame a good review and every time that voice in the back of your mind comes through, read that review. That's what I do. It keeps me going.
ReplyDeleteThe Conditioned sounds like a fascinating world you've created. Kudos! And yes, quash that inner critic, no matter whose voice it is. Just write the book you'd want to read. Your characters know what to do! Keep up the wonderful work.
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