Into the Fire

Wow. Didn't see that coming! It's been a long time since anyone reviewed The Famous One on Amazon (since 2017). I could've gone a lot longer without any more of them rather than reading my first 1 star review. I'm not going to lie: I was shocked.

The words that echoed in my mind were these: "lacked substance". Really? To show any of you who might be curious, here's the complete review under the "Not worth the read" title.

"Storyline started well enough and I was hopeful, however, 45 percent into the book I felt like every chapter was the same thing over and over. I finally just gave up at halfway through. Disappointing and lacked substance."   

So, being the over-sensitive writer that I am, I looked up the reviewer's page to see how she felt about other novels she's read. Apparently, she likes the "quick, enjoyable" reads. One thing The Famous One is not is a "quick read". And, okay, she was disappointed in it. I get that. But "lacked substance"? That I don't accept. But as the cliché goes: to each his own. And clearly The Famous One was not her type of book.  

Many authors can laugh off bad reviews. Some can garner insights from them. Others can mull them over and move on without much lasting effect. Not this author. I confess it bothered me (obviously), but I will trudge forward and continue to keep writing the best novels I can – and hopefully not one of them has or will "lack substance". 

Father, you know me. I'm desperate for you. Thank you for your grace. You know how much I need it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.