Wednesday, January 7, 2015

IWSG Post – Fear of Harsh Reviews

Since it's the first IWSG post of 2015, we are supposed to re-introduce ourselves (in 100 words) for all new members. I write Middle Grade Fiction with elements of Fantasy. I have written a few Picture Books, but MG Fiction suits my style more. My writing tends to have lots of humor in it. My blog topics usually capture all aspects of writing. I write features and do book reviews for two Indian newspapers and teach creative writing in college. I started my writing career with short stories. 80 of my short stories have been published. I am planning to concentrate on a YA novel this year. And I just cannot do without chocolates, brownies and ice-creams.    

 IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) an online group of writers gives me a chance to air all my writing worries, fears, doubts and anxieties, with other writers who almost always share similar fears and doubts. IWSG members post on the first Wednesday of every month. 

IWSG was started by Ninja Captain Alex J Cavanaugh (the author of the Amazon Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm and CassaFire and the upcoming Dragon of the Stars). To download a free copy of the IWSG’s book ‘Guide to Publishing and Beyond’ visit the IWSG website for details. To read the IWSG posts click here.

This month my main concern is regarding bad reviews. A book I read and was supposed to review has got three okay reviews. The fourth one is so harsh that the reviewer has trashed the book. Infact, I felt that the reviewer was being nasty and rude by trying to run down the story, writing, plot, characters, editing and even the character names. Except for the book cover, she hardly had anything good to say about the book. The reviewer did mention that the writing was competent and that there were some truly entertaining bits (I thought this addition was to soothe the author’s ruffled feathers).

According to the reviewer, she felt a sense of déjà vu when she read the book as it reminded her of Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Rowling’s Harry Potter. She said the story was hackneyed, the character names concocted, editing was said to be lazy (she has even given examples of the lazy editing), the length of the book was said to be too long, the action begins too late and there was no real resolution and the ending was predictable. The reviewer ended the review saying that the book was a bit of a bore and a derivative one at that.

I am wondering what if someone reading that particular review decides not to read the book. The review would put someone off the book. I felt very bad and sad for the writer.

I want to ask you all a question, if you were to review a book that you did not like, how would you all have reviewed it? Would you all have trashed it on all fronts? I would love to know what you all would have done?

36 comments:

  1. Wow, that's what I would call a million-dollar review. If people say something is bad and tell why they found it bad, it's an excellent opportunity to learn. I wish I could ask this reviewer to review my book :)

    Destination Infinity

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  2. I would not trash a book like that. If I really dislike it or couldn't finish it, I wouldn't review it. I think there's always some good things in books and there needs to be a balance in a review if you're going to do one. I feel bad for that author too.

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  3. I like the critiquing/reviewing method of sandwiching a negative comment in-between two positive ones. Generally speaking, I usually tend to focus more on the positive aspects of a book in any reviews I write.

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  4. If a book really was that bad, (and there are some that are) I would prefer not to review it.

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  5. If I'm not enjoying a book, I don't finish it. And if I don't finish it, then I don't review it. I certainly wouldn't point out all the bad stuff without mentioning some good.

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  6. I'm with Alex on this one. I don't usually finish the books I don't like, and I don't review books that I can't give three stars or higher. I used to give "bad" reviews, too, but then I thought about how horrible that would be to receive and stopped. My worst one that I wrote still makes me cringe - although I think I did say something about the writing being okay.
    In the reviews I write now, I try to write about what I liked first, and then write about one thing I didn't like (if there is something I didn't like).

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  7. If it truly was that bad, I wouldn't write a review it. And I've come across some poorly written novels! The sandwich method works in teaching as well as in reviewing books. I love writing MG fiction too. Good luck on writing YA!

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  8. t would definitely not trash a book. I have come across a book that I didn't like couple of weeks ago. I liked it but when I read it, I was feeling uneasy. The books are for wide range of readers and what critics say shouldn't/doesnt matter. Or does it? I think that every story has its POINT!

    p.s, I wish I could send you Chocolate Ma'am Rachna :)

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  9. There are some books I hate so much, I've been compelled to write honest, negative reviews. My scathing review of the massively overrated Book Thief was declined by Ink Pageant as "too demeaning," though I still stand by everything i said in that review ripping it apart.

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  10. I guess that's why a lot of authors do not bother to read reviews because there are really scathing reviews out there.

    There are times when I do not want to post a review because I didn't like it, but the author asks me to do so. A balance of the good and bad points would be nice. Then again, a review is a reflection of that reader's preference and not of the whole reading community. So, I guess other readers would still read that book regardless of what kind of review it has garnered.

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  11. Rachna, Happy New year to you and yours! I do not give bad reviews. I know soon if a book is bad or if I will not like it and move on. Why read a bad book? Makes no sense.

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  12. If a book is really bad, I don't finish reading it and then, of course, don't review it. I've received a couple of bad reviews for my books but they were so out of line with the others that I don't think they hurt.

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  13. I would never trash a book. I think 3 stars is the lowest rating I've ever given. If the book isn't good, why bother reading it?

    I remember seeing a review of a book where the reviewer attacked the author - badly. I felt so bad. I wanted to send that author an email and say how bad I felt for him.

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  14. I don't do harsh reviews. I only review books that I enjoyed. If I was trying to make a career out of reviewing, I might see it differently. But even then, I don't think I could never be that mean- or arrogant. There are plenty of books that I hated that are best sellers. Moby Dick- can't make it through the first chapter without wanting to pull my hair out. Does me not liking it make it a bad book?

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  15. Everybody has different tastes when it comes to entertainment and art like books. And while I'd like to say I'd never trash a book, that would make me a liar. But I'd definitely be gentler if I thought about the author reading what I said. I do try to find a least one thing I liked, but reviews aren't meant just for writers, they're for readers. If I dislike something, I want to let people know why. And even with books I like, there are points I say "this might not be your taste."
    But rereading what you said about the nasty review, going after the character names seems nit-picky. Maybe read some of the positive reviews you got and see what they had to say.

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  16. if I hated a book that much, I would not even bother to write a review. There would not be a need to. It would only succeed in hurting the writer further.what I would do, is to try to find one thing good about it, and write that.

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  17. HI, Rachna,

    I NEVER do harsh reviews. I generally don't finish the book. If I HAVE to review a book I don't like that much, I concentrate on the positive aspects and I may sprinkle in one negative if it really bugged me.

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  18. If I couldn't have said anything positive, I wouldn't had said anything, and would have just hoped that with practice the writer would improve, as we all do in time, Rachna.

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  19. Generally, if I don't like a book, I won't review it. I won't even finish reading it. BUT, if I had to review it, I'd be very careful with my wording ;)

    I didn't realise you had 80 short stories published. Impressive!

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  20. Here's the thing: I probably wouldn't review it if I hated it that much. But I think I SHOULD. Everyone should be able to be honest, but I fear hurting someone's feelings, so I avoid giving bad reviews. I actually appreciate bad reviews when looking at books. Reason being, I otherwise feel they're probably all friends of the author, and worry that these aren't honest reviews. Also, often there is information in the bad review that tells me I'd love a book. I'd bought several due to bad reviews, and ended up appreciating them for exactly what I thought I would like from that bad review. Even if I left the bad review, though, I would try to include the good with the bad (learned from years of judging writing contests), and I would try to explain what I found negative without being nasty about it.

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  21. I've reviewed books I did not like. If I can't give a book at least a 3 star rating, I won't review it. However; I'm a very picky reader, more so since I've started my writing journey, and I realize my opinions are not always in line with what is popular. In that case, I write about what I think will appeal to the "target audience."

    As an author, I am mindful of plot, premise, characters, and genre the author is hoping to capture. Sometimes I mention technical errors such as prolific misspellings, mechanical POV and poor formatting; if that is a real story stopper to me as a reader.

    But whether a reader is an author or not, a reader is entitled to their own opinion. And in this age of feedback, they are entitled to post a review that may influence other readers. People who read reviews are unlikely to judge a book on one bad (or good) review, especially if that review has a "cruel" feel to it. And, I've read some indie-published books that really really deserve a negative review, and the negativity is more as learning lesson for the author than turning readers away from the book.

    For instance: telling an author "you suck and should seriously consider going back to 3rd grade to learn how to spell and properly use of grammar" is less productive than say: the author displays a good grasp of story crafting, has a viable premise, but has poor execution and could benefit from seeking critique partners or hiring an editing service.

    If you are an author who values honest critique partners who offer constructive feedback, and utilize the benefits of a "second pair of eyes" to guide your creative genius, then you'll never have to suffer the completely negative review; either cruel or constructive.

    I once wrote a 3 star review of a romantic fantasy novel; it revealed what appealed to me to read the entire novel, but also listed all the points that did not appeal to me because the novel focused on the romance, not the world building and magic I expected. Later the author thanked me for the review, and stated she sold 30 novels after the review published because the viewers were interested in a fantasy novel that focused on romance. I know, weird huh?

    Authors need to trust that readers can tell the difference between a cruel, vindictive review, and honest feedback. And authors need to know how to differentiate between the two types of negative feedback. If all you want to hear in critiques is what you did well, then you'll never accept feedback for improvement, and will only get negative, cruel feedback.

    I do not see this as your fate Rachna. There may be readers who do not like your books; but you can't please all readers. I am unlikely to enjoy one of your MG books, but I'd be interested in my grandchildren's opinion and would post their impressions; negative or positive. Up to you to determine the impact of their opinions on your continued writing ego.

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  22. I don't--but honestly, I've been to too many workshops where agents have warned that published authors should never, ever leave a bad review out there...mostly because it's just bad networking. You make an enemy in the industry (including that author's editor or agent) and it could hurt your career. So my policy on reviews is that if I don't have something nice to say, I don't say anything at all. All of my reviews are five star.

    As a reader, I don't read reviews before I start a book. I like to make my own opinion. I've also found the more popular a book is, the more passionate those negative (and positive) reviews can be--it's as though people have to go overboard to justify why they didn't like a book so many other people did. I sometimes will read reviews after finishing a book to see what others thought, but only after!

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  23. I've never read a book that I consider that bad. There is at least one book in particular that I had to stop reading because it was too slow and boring, but I can't really give a review in that case, and I never have. Normally a book that I think is mediocre only has a few failings, so those I can mention, I think. With short stories, I've given some reviews that point out excessive flaws in certain stories, but I always refer to both things I liked and things I disliked about plot, setting, and characters, and usually the story overall. In the case of a really bad story, I state that the story should only be read if you want to learn from the mistakes of the writer. If the person reads it and doesn't think they were mistakes at all, then all the better!

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  24. I agree with what most others have said. These days I don't finish a book I don't like, so I don't review them. There seems something very vindictive in purely trashing a book, you should always flag up something that was positive - if you can't then move on. It's horses for courses and you might put off someone who would have absolutely loved it.

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  25. I also don't read books all the way through that I've lost interest in. I wouldn't want to be pressured into reviewing a book in that situation, but I would try my best to find something positive about it. I like Nick's line about "horses for courses!" Congrats on publishing 80 short stories, Rachna!

    Julie

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  26. I'm with Stephanie. As an author, I don't want to meet other authors online and in person and have them remember me as the one who gave them a one or two star review. Anyway, if a book is not to my liking, I won't finish it.

    I do read bad reviews of books, but they don't all dissuade me from buying a book. Many times it's the good reviews, the gushing enthusiastic ones, that make up for the bad ones.

    I can understand a poor rating as long as the review is critical and not harsh, but many reviewers these days take it overboard. Especially on Goodreads, where they post memes and animations to mimic their poor opinion of a book.

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  27. Am at the rock bottom as I was away from the blogging scene, Rachna! Even the worst write up would have something notworthy that can be mentioned while reviewing:)

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  28. The nice thing about bad reviews, is that you don't have to pay attention to them:) Besides, not everyone likes everything, but that doesn't make somethignbad. In grad school, I remember some students didn't like Shakespeare! But it highlighted a point for me that an author isn't bad just becuase some people don't care for their work.

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  29. I really try to find something good about any book I read. In fact, if I complete a book, there has to be something that keeps me turning the page, right?

    I will be very frank; if I can't finish a book it's got a LOT going against it for me. And I never review a book I close after giving up on it.

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  30. If the book isn't worthy of at least three stars, I don't finish reading it and don't review it. The good thing about a bad review is that it can steer a reader who wouldn't like the book away from reading it. For example, let's say you hate love triangles. A reviewer gives the book a one star and mentions the love triangle. You don't buy that book. But another reader loves love triangles, reads the bad review about the book, and picks up the book because that reader enjoyed love triangles. The only reviews that are really worrisome is when a review trashes the author. That's not right.

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  31. such a double sword standard because we want to tell the truth but at the same time not ruin someone's career or love for writing. but here's some thought for you, religious books are given some of the worst ratings and criticism. so everyone is a bad critic in their own ways.
    I tend just to be supportive. I'm not a top book critic nor do I deserve to give top book critic reviews.

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  32. Wether it is a book or a person, I always look for some positives even if I don't like them. So I would either not review it at all or say it as it is.
    Rachna, I want to read some of your stories online. Can you please message the links on FB whenever you are free?

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  33. First of all, 80 short stories!?! That's epic. Way to go! (And wishing you much success with your YA.)

    I do review quite a few books, and have received requests for reviews on books that I had to drag myself through. Now here's the deal, a book one person hates, another will absolutely love. It's all a question of taste, and I feel like my opinion shouldn't interfere with those potential lovers. SO, when I read a book that I honestly do not care for (but am committed to review), I focus on the aspects that were good. Occasionally I'll make one remark about things I might have wish for more of or that they were better done, but in the end, tarnishing a book is never a good idea. If I ever came across one I couldn't in good conscience review, I would simply abstain from reviewing it. (There are a couple I've marked as "read" but didn't give a star rating because I didn't want to hurt the author's ratings.)

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  34. Good write-up. The overall look of your website is fantastic, let alone the content!
    essay24

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  35. Now that I think on it, I didn't buy a Stephen King book because of the bad reviews. Good reviews were the most by an awful lot, but the bad made me think about the purchase. It's not the only case. I often read bad reviews first and then the good, and then get my own conclusions whether I should give it a chance or not.
    Now I am more careful with the reviews I give. So careful that sometimes it is difficult to write them at all.

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  36. Hi Rachna -- I've decided I won't review books I don't like. If I can't give the author 4 or 5 stars, I don't review or rank it at all.

    But harsh reviews will happen to all of us from time to time. I just received a two-star review on Goodreads for Dead Wrong, so I speak from experience. :D

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