I’m the first to admit that unless someone sends me a review directly I don’t tend to know about them. I rarely Google my name (once every four to six months…if I remember). I don’t avoid checking to see if new stuff is out there because I’d rather be an ostrich with its head in the sand. I do it because for the most part I get no benefit from finding out what people are saying about my books. And by that, I do not mean that I don’t appreciate the people who take time out of their day to write reviews for my books. I truly do. That’s not what this entry is about.
In the beginning it was groovy to see my name on the internet, but after a while I realized that in the big picture it just didn’t matter. Nothing anyone said would change what I was writing or how I was writing. I’m constantly evolving on both those fronts. I don’t need an outside source’s influence thrown into the mix. I spent enough years going through that in high school and in my early years of writing. (wg)
I’ve heard the argument that you should read all your reviews (the good, the bad, and the ugly) for the constructive criticism one could decipher between the lines. I think it’s bullocks. I’m not saying that some reviews can’t contain constructive criticism. I just haven’t read many that do. Personally, I tend to limit who I actually listen to for advice. If you’re an editor or my agent, I’m all ears. Same goes for my critique partners. There are also a few writers that I know online that I’d pay attention to if they gave me their advice on how to improve my writing.
In the end, I think taking reviews with a grain of salt is self-preservation. If I paid attention to what everyone was saying, then it would immobilize me. This way, I get to do whatever I want. 
October 3rd, 2006
You can make yourself mental overanalizing or trying to please everybody. But I read all of mine. I’ve actually found it helps me pinpoint strengths I didn’t realize I had. I’m not a masochist, though, if I got a real reaming on Mrs. Giggles for example, I don’t think I’d read it. I have enough doubts and negatives in my head already! *g*
by Charlene Teglia October 3rd, 2006 at 1:49 pmCharli, I don’t think my insecurities need any help either. LOL!
by Jordan October 3rd, 2006 at 2:14 pmReviews scare me. I’ve decided to read the good ones forwarded by my publisher, but not go out looking for them, because I’m terrified of bad ones!
by Larissa October 4th, 2006 at 7:08 amI admit, I google myself ALOT. I’m an ego maniac! And I read all reviews, whether they are great, or hack and slahes. Do I learn anything about myself from them? Nope! If I wanted great reviews all the time, I know exactly the type of book I’d need to write. But I have no interest in doing that. I LOVE the stories I write. I love to write fast-paced, action packed stories that don’t necessarily end up HEA. And I’m okay with that. Although some reviewers and readers may not be.
by Vivi Anna October 4th, 2006 at 8:43 amI think reviews are very subjective. Even the most professional of them are heavily influenced by the internal landscape of the reviewer. As such, they can’t be taken too seriously. I can say what I like and dislike, and it may match what you like or dislike or not. Reading is like the ultimate accient scene; everyone brings their own spin. Also: I think there’s a growing body of snark reviewers out there who slam things for the ‘feel good’ factor. It’s very sad, yes, but appears increasingly prevalent. Usually when I review things it’s only what I enjoyed. Most times when I don’t enjoy something it’s because the story wasn’t my thing - and it has nothing to do with the author so it’s not right to hammer them for a mistaken choice on my part. I think too much googling can hurt your confidence. And maybe give you an artificial idea of what’s out there. The internet may give you a false sense of what real readership is or is thinking, and I would go more by what a reader takes time to personally send an author than what is bandied about on the band width. I think you’re smart to take it all with a grain of salt.
by Ursula October 4th, 2006 at 9:09 amOnly believe the good ones……
by Suzanne October 4th, 2006 at 10:26 amI think should it ever come to it, I’ll stick with PBW and don’t read reviews, esp. not the Amazon ones which for the most are either drooling fangirl stuff or written by illiterate morons.
A professional one in a newspaper that won’t deign to review genre fiction anyway might be a different matter. *grin*
by Gabriele October 4th, 2006 at 10:30 amLarissa, I don’t go looking for reviews. It’s not because I’m afraid of them. I just can’t be bothered. The last bad one I got actually cracked me up. Apparently, my story was so bad that the reader will never buy from the publisher again. LOL! I had no idea I held so much power. *ggg* I’m Queen of the World…Snort.
by Jordan October 4th, 2006 at 11:10 amVivi, LOL! You would. *ggg* I think you’re smart to stick with your strengths. Like you, I know I could write a mass appeal book, but I’m not interested. Stick with your strengths. They will carry you far.
by Jordan October 4th, 2006 at 11:20 amUrsula, ***Most times when I don’t enjoy something it’s because the story wasn’t my thing - and it has nothing to do with the author so it’s not right to hammer them for a mistaken choice on my part.***
That is exactly how I feel about most books. Just because an element in a story didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it won’t work for other readers. There is a lot of snark out there. Could I be snarky back? Oh yeah. Is it worth my time? No. Hence, the avoidance.
by Jordan October 4th, 2006 at 11:23 amSuzanne, It’s nice to ’see’ you here. I hope everything is well with you. You’re in my thoughts. And I agree, the good ones are the only ones worth reading.
by Jordan October 4th, 2006 at 11:26 amGabriele, I do think PBW has the right approach to most things about writing. She’s definitely someone we can ALL learn from.
by Jordan October 4th, 2006 at 11:28 amI have only published one book, so yes, I did read every review there was. Call it beginner’s insecurity. *lol* The scary part is that the reviews were so good that now I feel like my sophomore story might live up to high expectations and fall flat. Ugh!
by Tempest October 5th, 2006 at 6:49 amTempest, I think that’s only natural with your first book. I did the same thing. After a while I stopped. You have to give it time.
by Jordan October 5th, 2006 at 12:30 pmI wish I had your strength to ignore them, Jordan… I enjoy the rush of reading a review where the reviewer really got what I was trying to do, and enjoyed the story, so I do look out for them. Even so, I’ve often found it a weird and terrifying experience just opening them. LOL. I’m still not used to the fact that people other than my CP are reading.
by Saskia October 9th, 2006 at 11:51 pmSaskia, To be honest, I just can’t be arsed. I don’t mind if they’re sent to me, but I won’t go searching. That may change in the future, but for now it works for me.
by Jordan October 10th, 2006 at 9:34 pm