When I Came West (Part Thirty-two)
I mentioned in an earlier blog post that feedback from readers was instrumental in helping me carry on my writer's quest for a compelling and memorable story (or poem). Sometimes what I receive is a simple, "Wow! I loved this book. Thanks!"
Other times readers take time to write a more detailed response about why they liked the book and others will post reviews on amazon.com or one of the other online bookstores. And, naturally, I am always thrilled and full of gratitude for these kind words and encouraging thoughts. I love posting positive comment about my book on my websites, not so much because it boosts my ego (which it does) but because it reinforces the fact that by listening to my early readers and my editors we were able to create a worthy book. If I had settled for self-publishing my original manuscript, I would have accomplished the deed of getting a good story out into the world, but I would not now have the satisfaction of knowing, deep down, that we have given the world the very best story possible. I have always believed in reaching for a "mark of excellence" and setting a standard for my life and my writing.
What nurtures me in the end is that I set a goal and along with the help of many others who championed my cause, that goal has been achieved. I can never say "thank you" enough to those people…and then say "thank you" even more to my readers.
I want to take a moment here to talk about the difference between a true review of a book and what I call reader response.
A true book review is written by a person who preferably does not know the writer, someone who can objectively read and offer serious comment about the story, the voice, the style, and the impact on the reader. A writer always hopes that a well-read professional reviewer will engaged with their work. Reader response, conversely, is feedback that a writer receives from family, friends, and fans (old and new). Reader response is rarely objective or professional; instead it is subjective and personal and usually favorable. A writer is always renewed and encouraged by reader response.
There seems to be a new trend in today's publishing environment where writers pay people to do reviews for them. I find this unacceptable because I do not think a person can do an objective review if the writer is paying them. A professional review is achieved when a newspaper, magazine, organization or other outside entity that has no vested interest in the writer pays an individual to read a book and offer an educated opinion.
Personally, I appreciate both kinds of comment on my work and I am never upset by a negative review.
Why?
Because a negative review may be the exact lens I need through which to see the errors, glitches, or mistakes I may have overlooked or been unable to see. All of that information can be sifted through, weighed, considered and implemented in order for me to bring the world a better book.
