Out of the frying pan, into the wok

[wednes]

I got my first professional review today. It is not what you might call a rave. You can read it here. Feel free to agree or disagree with the reviewer.

I'm also stepping up my internet book pimping efforts tenfold. I am paying attention to my facebook account now, so if you have a Facebook, feel free to add me.

Thanks to all of you who helped bring me out of my whiny state. I'm still feeling pretty discouraged, but I'm not giving up or anything. We'll just have to see how it goes. My new book is flooding me with ideas for marketing, and I'm going to be that much more serious about having my very own website. Maybe sometime soon a Wiki Entry will be in my future, but that's something I can't do myself. Fie!

Ended up giving up on Snuff. It was just too crude for me.
Nice ending though, I skipped ahead. ;-]

I wish I had a better job...I know that's random, but I'm at work now and was just thinking about it; and wishing I had a better job.

Comments

[rivetkitten.livejournal.com]

The review isn't necessarily a rave, but he *DID* think that you're a talented writer. At least he's the sort of critic that can actually give constructive criticism, yes?

[everythingtold.livejournal.com]

I did not feel that he was an asshole, because he felt that she did well - or at least that she had talent. I don't think he was being sarcastic, I think he likes her writing. The stuff that wasn't 'positive' is his opinion, anyway. I've personally never completed a novel and I kind of like the fact that a lot of it is inside my characters' heads! A lot of the time, when I'm reading, I'm quite annoyed at not knowing what goes on in characters' heads exactly! Oh well. It's his opinion and I think that the 'negative' stuff he said was said in a way to help.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's def not all bad.

[darkeryet.livejournal.com]

Facebook is being a jerk to me at the moment and gives me an error when I try to add you. I've got a Facebook badge thingy in this here post: http://darkeryet.livejournal.com/320156.html -- it links to my profile so find me when you've got the time and energy, I probably won't remember to try again later because I am absolutely tired and foggy.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll find you!

[zenithberwyn.livejournal.com]

My advice is to do what Channel 101 makes us do out here -- namely, once you've made something, then you have to go make something else. Because you love making things.

[groovesinorbit]

Not a rave, but encouraging. I especially like that last sentence. It's true! : )

[thehula.livejournal.com]

They said they expect you to go on to big things in the near future!! I think it's quite a feat to impress someone with your skills and talent when they weren't that into the story itself. You know what I mean? I loved the story (and need to send you my book to sign, FAMOUS) but you already knew that.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Sage advice.
I intend to follow it.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

It certainly could have been much worse.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I guess that's actually true.
Hadn't thought about it like that.

[zenithberwyn.livejournal.com]

Excellent. Talented people get better and better the more they write.

[vomit-maggots.livejournal.com]

3.5 out of 5? Shit, for a first novel, that sounds pretty good to me. He said you write well. That's the basis. Technique can be honed.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

You think so?
Someone was just saying the same thing to me on the phone.

I guess I wanted a rave, but a thoughtful review is probably worth more in the long run.

[cmdavi-70.livejournal.com]

As others have said, it is ultimately positive criticism. Compliments mean all the more from those who don't dole out praise unconditionally. I'm guessing he doesn't give "raves" very often. Hell, even the finest writers on the planet get less impressive reviews sometimes. The fact that he has a lot of faith in your future as a writer is something to feel good about, I think.

[ladybutterfly74.livejournal.com]

So, considering that it was your first book - I personally think the review was pretty damn good! He didn't tear you apart and didn't make you sound like a talentless stark raving mad idiot or anything. He said you have talent and that basically you just need to hone your writing skills. He says that it falls into a lot of the same trappings first time novels fall into - so I am sure that with some work...you will get that rave you are looking for! And hey... 3.5 stars out of 5...I find that VERY impressive for a first book!

ps- I am reading the book now, I know...*sniffle* I said I would get it done before. I admit it. I lost the book for a brief while, but found it this morning and am reading right through it. =)

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks man.

You know, it didn't occur to me to read any of his other reviews, which should have been an obvious thing to do. I bet I won't find many raves.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I'll be curious to know what you think of it when you've finished.

And do consider leaving a review on Amazon as well!

Yeah, you guys are slowly convincing me that 3.5 out of 5 is not so bad.

[katharinakatt.livejournal.com]

Its not a bad review.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks for saying so.

[swayworn.livejournal.com]

Maybe not a rave, but you left the reviewer curious about your upcoming output... which is pretty great!

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I'm feeling better about it today than I was yesterday.
Thanks!

[derekfz.livejournal.com]

I wanted to say something, but it's pretty much all been said! I haven't read your book, of course. But I read the review and I agree with all the points your friends have made. No need for you to feel discouraged. And even if you thought the guy was a dickface and his review angried up the blood, you would just have to use that energy to write better and better to show him what for in the future! ;)

*luvs*

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks man.

You really should pick up a copy of the book.
Reviews aside, it's a good read.

[diachrony.livejournal.com]

That was not a bad review at all. In fact, I consider it encouraging and positive. (And here I went over to read it thinking I'd get all pissed off at the reviewer. Heh.)

"Big things in the near future" - yay!!

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Thanks!