Okay, so let’s talk about criticism.
Time was, the only people who could praise or criticise an author’s work publicly were, well, critics.
Now, of course, everyone and their dog can get stuck in. If their dog knows how to access the internet, of course. And can remember his password (mine can’t, but he’s not the brightest bark in the kennel.)
Authors have to develop a thick skin. You might believe you have written the best thing to hit the printed word since Caxton first battered in a block but here’s a newsflash – that doesn’t mean everyone will agree.
Face it, there will be people who think your storyline has more holes than a string vest, your characters lack character and you’d better call an undertaker because your deathless prose? Not so much.
No-one likes to be criticised but it comes with the territory now. Some of the comments are valid – hey, no-one is perfect and those who think they are the least imperfect of all. But others defy logic.
So how do you deal with it?
Rule Number One (of one) – Never engage.
Let me put that another way…
NEVER ENGAGE!
A wise man once said that opinions are like arseholes, everyone’s got one. And yes, it’s true, some people talk through them. But if someone says your work sucks like a super-strength Dyson, resist the impulse to respond. That is that person’s opinion and they’re entitled to express it, no matter how hurtful it is.
No good will come of taking anyone task.
The problem is, we can have all the verbal applause in the world but we will focus on the bad notices. And they can fester.
I’ve seen authors post their bad reviews on-line. A few even affect a devil-may-care attitude over it but it still hurts. You have, after all, slaved for months over a book, your pals have told you it’s great (they’re your pals, of course they have), your significant other thinks sliced bread takes second place to your luminosity, your editor – once you’ve done what they tell you – believes it’s an award winner, your dog even wags his tail appreciatively.
But then someone goes on-line and says ‘This is the worst book I have ever read. Thank God I only paid 99p.’
Really? The worst book you’ve ever read?
I’ve had my share of bad reviews, and not just on-line. One reviewer of my first true crime book said I was illiterate. I took offence once I hit the dictionary to see what it meant.
There have been a few critical comments for both BLOOD CITY and CROW BAIT, you can go look them up if you want. I read them, cried a little (I’m not ashamed to say), moved on.
And that’s my advice to all authors, old and new. Look at criticism, take it to heart if it’s reasoned, ignore it if it’s not.
But above all, remember Rule Number One.
And keep your dog on a leash.
