Sunday, June 21, 2009

washington cherries and book reviews

This is the time of year we eat lots of cherries at our house - bings and rainiers. I love summer! We have cherry trees but they're small and we have to fight the birds for the little fruit they produce. Our garden is coming along well - peas, spinach, corn, potatoes, chard, carrots, onions, green beans, cucumbers, and lots of tomatoes. Half of the garden is planted in wildflowers and should be a spectacular sight by July. I'm trying to find time for a little taste of summer amidst working on this second book.

I heard from a magazine reviewer last week regarding The Frontiersman's Daughter. She said that she rarely contacts authors of books she reviews but wanted to say some things to me after finishing my book. I was so pleased and touched - but I won't tell you what she said or it might be considered a spoiler. I think the best part of being published is hearing how your writing encourages or ministers to others. Reading is such a subjective experience. Not everyone will like my novel. I'd like to know how other authors manage negative reviews - or how you readers think a writer should manage them?!

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.
- Dolly Parton

7 comments:

  1. Totally unfair! I believe that certain family members should be given just a little more detail!!!

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  2. The cherries look delish! Those are a special treat for us, because they tend to be expensive here.

    Dealing with negative reviews would be hard. It's hard enough to get no response when you put your writing out there, but negative reviews would be harder. I suppose you just need to try to keep perspective, like you said - not everyone will like or enjoy what you write. Also, read the review with open eyes to what you could improve or change in your writing. If the review is just mean spirited, then try to ignore it (easier said than done).

    Good luck with the writing of the second book. I can't wait to read the first!

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  3. Sounds like your garden is doing well. I really need to attend to mine... we've been gone for a few days at the boys' baseball tournament. I feel like i'm dragging this morning! so much to get caught up on!!

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  4. Wise words, Tiffany! I think the key is to look at a negative review with a willingness to learn from it just like you said - maybe the reader has a valid point that might make the next book better. Mean-spirited reviews are easy to identify and I've winced at a few aimed at my favorite writers. I don't criticize other authors or genres because even if the book didn't appeal to me I'm sure it reached others.
    Thank you for your enthusiasm about TFD! I can't wait for you to read it, too!

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  5. Hi, Lisa, Hope you're gardening today and recovering from baseball:) I've often wished we lived nearer to town and my boys could do that. I know it takes a big commitment. I've missed your blogging!

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  6. Hey Chris,
    So you ARE reading my posts from across the pond! I forgot to tell you about the review! That's a good sign, I guess, as it didn't go to my head:) James 4:6!

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