Into the Fire

If you've ever read an Amazon one-star review, you know what I'm talkin' about. Some readers can be downright mean and nasty. If I can only give a book a one-star review, I'm not going to waste my time making it public – other than here on my blog where I will give ample reasons for my dislike.

Surprisingly, some of the two-star reviews aren't all that bad. Some of the writers of those reviews mention the book didn't appeal to them with reasonable explanations, but not all of them trash the story and its author. Some acknowledge it's not their kind of book.

This is why I tend to give disclaimers for my novels. Because if you don't get my writing, you're not going to like my books. And by "get" I mean you have to understand my motive, my voice, and my style.

Let's take The Famous One. It's written like a fictional biography chronicling the protagonist's life. Omnisicient point of view is used for roughly the first half of the story, switching to third person. If you expect to read a star-studded account of gossip rags and the typical Hollywood hooplah, this isn't the book for you. If you expect to read the typical CBA romance – and it is a love story – this book is not for you. If you want major action-packed conflict, definitely not for you. If you have no expectations and are willing to try something a little different, have at it.

Let's next look at Breath of Life. Although not a particularly true romance according to genre definition, it too is a love story packed with romance. And that's pretty much all it is. Two lonely people finding each other and journeying down the road to a commitment and finding the trip-ups along the way. The story is notorious for ending abruptly – some readers wanted more included regarding the mistakes and outcome. But the objective was to tell the story primarily from the "hero's" point of view, although second and third person POVs were used. "He" chose to close the story quickly with a hopeful ending. Not every reader's ideal. Almost an experimental novel for me in my first attempt at first person (and from a male POV) and in sticking closer to 100K words which has been a challenge for me. Not surprised some didn't care for it, and from a reviewer's eye, there were definitely options to criticize  it.  

I've observed a few things about readers in perusing several one-star reviews. The one-star reviewers want their opinions known. They're disappointed and can't wait to announce it to the reading world. Only a few of them seem to understand the writer's intent. Whether or not to them it's the writer's inability or failure to communicate his/her intent – it's still an opinion. Where I tend to really distrust one-star reviewers is when there are multitudes of four and five-star reviews listed for a novel. This indicates to me the reader is mad that so many others really enjoyed the book they found so distasteful. They tend to write harsh criticisms insulting other readers as well as the author.

My personal stance on the Amazon forum is not to post reviews for those novels I really don't like unless I'm obligated to do so because of a "free for review" assignment. I too am sometimes shocked at rave reviews for books I found poorly written, formulaic, and predictable, but it is just my opinion after all. And maybe I don't prefer a particular author's style or story choices. I will voice my opinion here to warn like-minded readers of my assessments, but that will be the end of it. 

Those readers who choose to give one-star reviews with snarky and insult-laden opinions show me a few things. They regard their opinions as necessary, valid, and important, and they have no real understanding about what it takes to write a novel. Rather than consider they could be the wrong audience for the book, they profess the author is untalented, incapable, or invalid. 

On the other hand, professional reviewers are often known for being outspoken, sometimes rude, opinionated, and refusing to consider themselves in error as to their assessments of the stories they read. They have no qualms about criticizing a story or the means used to tell it. Some readers rely on professional reviewers to dictate their novel choices because they've been convinced the pros offer more than just their opinion, that somehow they have the ability to be objective and fair. After all, they are professionals. 

And such is the life of authors who somehow manage to write a novel that generates such diverse and uncomfortable reviews.

Father, please help us be the best we can be and to ignore those who offer nothing. Help us to endure . . . In the Name of Jesus, Amen.