I hear you, Charlotte! I had one beta reader of my memoir lecture me about how she couldn’t believe I thought or did something the way I did. Uh, really? Sigh.

I’m puzzled. Why would she want me to explain absolutely everything to the nth degree…what’s wrong with letting the story unfold? And it does. If she didn’t like the romantic aspect, well fine then.

Anyway, this left me feeling quite raw and wondering if I should tell my publisher that this reader couldn’t get past chapter 3…

Then I reminded myself that my publisher believes in me and my story or they would not have taken me on.

I also had told myself that I would NOT read reviews. I’m still going to try and stick with that, as hard as it’s going to be. My publisher did tell me during a phone conversation that some people will love my book, some will not. Welcome to the world of becoming a published author.

So thank you, Kerry. I needed this today.

Or the 1-star reviews your peers receive… then you know we’re all floating in the same boat.

There are always spots thinner than others. You think you can handle everything, but there’s always something that can crawl under your skin. Thanks for reading the post Caroline.

I DO use my reviews for marketing, Michele. I’m sure you’ve seen my review cards pre-book release to build buzz. Those reviews are from author’s who’ve endorsed the book or ARC reader 5-star reviews. I will go in every once in awhile and read the positive reviews, but I definitely avoid the negative reviews.

YES MM FInck! I love the 1/3 calculation. I also look at it like “Chocolate, vanilla, pistachio?’. Some people prefer chocolate, hate strawberry and despise pistachio. Others love pistachio, dont like vanilla or chocolate.

Others only eat chocolate. It doesnt mean any flavor is better than another.

I feel I am a pistachio nut. ( A bit nutty writer) so the ‘non nut’ lovers might not like my flavor. Thats ok!ha.

That’s the dichotomy isn’t it? We want to feel we’ve ‘connected’ with our readers. If we don’t read any reviews, which is what some ‘experts’ say then we won’t get the good feedback either.

Also it is said you must USE your good reviews to market your book. How do you do that if you don’t read them?

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I love reading the one star reviews of the classics too. Makes me feel that I am in great company!