Reviews… I’ve had a few…but then again, too few to mention. Or rather, Of Night and Light has.
I’m wondering which of Asimov’s groups I’ll fall into when it gets a bad review. Notice I say, WHEN. Not IF. It has to happen.
Here’s what Asimov says: “From my close observation of writers… they fall into two groups: 1) those who bleed copiously and visibly at any bad review, and 2) those who bleed copiously and secretly at any bad review.”
N.B. This is not an invitation to test me out.
I’ve been delighted with the reviews. Thank you so much to everyone who’s taken the time.
Here’s one posted on this site:
“Loved the book. I haven’t read a book in years but found this a very easy and compelling read. It has given me the drive to begin reading again. Great stuff.”
That makes my heart leap, honestly it does. Someone read my book and it inspired her to read more. As a writer, I couldn’t ask for any more.
And here’s one newly posted on Amazon:
“This is a great book. Teenagers will love it, as will adults. Really funny but sensitive too. The story is about a problem family which would make any reader, teenager or adult relate. I can remember feeling exactly like Rosa the protagonist in my teenage years. I think it would be a good book for any adult having trouble comprehending how their teenager thinks. Brilliant!”
I wonder how Asimov might have categorised writers and their reactions to good reviews?
“1) those who bounce with delight copiously and visibly at any good review, and 2) those who bounce with delight copiously and secretly at any good review”?
PLEASE don’t tell me that good reviews should have no positive impact. They DO and I reckon any writer who says differently is a liar.
Just as much as I don’t believe that bad reviews won’t smart and hurt, even if only a little or for a short time (or possibly a lot, for ages…)
Peter Neame says
Enjoying this – nice wry humor (sic). I’ll stick a review on the US amazon site when I’m done (shouldn’t be much longer, but the short chapters mean I don’t burn through it as fast as I might. I wonder why that is? Do I read faster if the sentences are longer (No) or the paragraphs dribble on for pages (No)?).
Caroline Coxon says
Whoohoo! Flattered that you took the time and even more that you’re enjoying it. Actually, after quite a bit of resistance (mainly due to fear that he wouldn’t like it and therefore upset me…) Peter thoroughly enjoyed it. Which is pleasing since it was written for the 13+ market…probably girls.
Peter Neame says
I thought that was the likely target audience – but it can easily be flipped to a target audience of long-suffering parents of teenage girls. Not that I’d know, but I can certainly empathise. Some of Terry’s longer term patients go through this process (being a nice kid, then an annoying teenager, then a fairly decent adult).
And, of course, as we age, we become more like children again. Cynical, for example!
Caroline Coxon says
Thanks! How perceptive…