Discussion #2

Discussion Topic #2

Think about the most positive response to a review you have ever received - now think about the most negative response you have ever received. Please share what your feelings were upon reading each of these. Which experience do you believe is more important as one of learning and growth? Should a response from an author whose work you have reviewed be taken personally?

1)Feelings upon reading the most positive response to a review I've given:
Butterflies, smiles, giddy, flowers and balloons, yep I was pretty excited.

I have to say the most positive response to my reviewing has come from three published authors, two of whom are WDC members.

One is P. J. Parrish, who prefers honest, brutally honest, reviews with multiple ideas as to plot and flow of a story. P.J. Parrish is the New York Times bestselling author of ten Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye thrillers. The author is actually two sisters, Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols. Their books have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today best seller lists. The series has garnered 11 major crime-fiction awards, and an Edgar® nomination. Parrish has won two Shamus awards, one Anthony and one International Thriller competition. Her books have been published throughout Europe and Asia.

Parrish's short stories have also appeared in many anthologies, including two published by Mystery Writers of America, edited by Harlan Coben and the late Stuart Kaminsky. Their stories have also appeared in Akashic Books acclaimed Detroit Noir, and in Ellery Queen Magazine. Most recently, they contributed an essay to a special edition of Edgar Allan Poe's works edited by Michael Connelly.

She also wants her fiction to be extremely factual as far as "could this really happen this way?". She wants the descriptions of the area the story takes place in to be factual as well as terminology to suit the storyline.

Another of these authors is WDC's own C. J. Ellisson who honors me by offering to allow me to read the entire novel before publication in appreciation of the reviews I have given her. This leads me to believe I am successful in giving honest, helpful (operative word here folks), respectful and encouraging reviews.

Deanna Jewel is also a published author who is a member of the WDC family who has praised my reviewing skills as far as the ones I've done for her on her books. She writes historical fiction and is also resolute in having facts correct for her books.

All three of these fine authors stay in touch with me in a personal way via e-mail, telephone, or personal conversations and request I edit and review their work before submitting it to a publisher.

Butterflies, smiles, giddy, flowers and balloons. This kind of response gives me confidence that my skills and feedback can be used to make a positive difference in someone else's writing, while helping me hone my own writing abilities.

2)Feelings upon reading the most negative response to a review I've given:
I was in a state of bewilderment and uncertainty; puzzled; perplexed because I had given an honest review with examples of how to improve the work with respect and tact (I thought). It weighed heavily on my mind that the person was a member of WDC, a yellow case, an assistant instructor in some WDC classes, and I felt was someone who would appreciate honest suggestions.

I was mistaken!! This person took great offense at my review, told me so in harsh terms, and blocked me from ever reviewing their work again.

This review was done as part of another reviewing class I took through New Horizons. I was so upset that I may have caused undue stress and discouragement to another writer. I had my instructor review my review and she assured me I had been spot on for the suggestions and the manner in which they were bestowed. It was still a while before I did more reviewing even though I had enjoyed it before this experience.

Which experience do you believe is more important as one of learning and growth?

Unequivocally both. The first taught me the relevance of always being honest and respectful with a review. There are many ways to say something. "I don't like your work. Your work stinks. You do not need to quit your day job." are not acceptable for, "Let me give you an example of some ways I feel would improve your work." It also taught me offering encouragement is a treasure when one is struggling to be published. It taught me every word and the tone it is used in is important when reviewing.

The latter taught me no matter how good of a job you try to do, some authors cannot, will not accept suggestions. I learned I should still look back at my review to ensure I did not say or do anything disrespectful toward the author and that my suggestions should have been worthwhile improvements to the work being reviewed. I learned when a situation such as this happens it is okay to have a trusted peer to give it a look to advise how the review could have been done more effectively.

Should a response from an author whose work you have reviewed be taken personally?

Yes and no.

Yes, in the vein that as a reviewer you should be encouraged by positive responses to a review. It should make you feel good. It should boost your confidence in your skills.

No because if you allow yourself to doubt yourself too much you will lose the pleasure that can be found in reading and reviewing other's work. Don't let one negative response stop you from learning how to review better.

NOTE:We should take care to have a balance of all the things mentioned above. We never get perfect at reviewing, just as we never get perfect at writing. Allow the possibility that your suggestions really may not express the ideas the author intends. At all costs be honest tactfully, respectfully with only encouragement and support your goal.