But….but…it’s fantasy fiction! FANTASY! FICTION!
The above image may be misleading. We’ll come back to that.
Reviews are a tricky thing for an author.
First off, you’re reading other people’s brief impressions on something you spent years creating, crafting and growing. You’re familiar with every line, description, scene and character interaction. Your knowledge goes beyond the words in the novel, to the future and (certainly in my case) the distant past.
Readers simply can’t know what you know. They are entitled to their opinion. They only have what you’ve written to go on and their own life and reading experiences.
Where it gets tricky is that everybody is different and, therefore, every review is different.
I recently sought out some reviews for my first novel, The Inner Lands: Something Stirs, using a service called Hidden Gems. Basically, the author pays a fee for HGs to connect your book with their readers. They read it for free and then (hopefully) write you a review on Amazon, Goodreads or another site of their choosing.
It sounds like a harsh deal for the author but, actually, honest reviews by readers of your genre are so hard to come by that services like this are invaluable.
When I noticed my first few reviews coming in, I was delighted to see that they were all positive. It definitely gives me more motivation to keep going, and confidence that I’m on the right path.
Then I saw some slightly negative reviews trickling in and my instant reaction was of deflation, and wondering what on Earth I can do to address these concerns. How can I rewrite the novel so that everybody gets it?
Fortunately, I quickly realised that I can’t! One person loves it, one person doesn’t. I should be happy that someone enjoyed something I created, and grateful that both people read and reviewed it.
I absolutely should not mock people for saying things like:
“I found it hard to immerse myself in the story because of the different names like Artell and Sill. Also, I still don’t get what the Grinth look like. Hooves and claws and purple skin is just hard for me to picture”
But….but…it’s fantasy fiction! FANTASY! FICTION!
I may have to consider adding small print to future titles:
Please note, this is a work of fantasy and some user imagination may be required.
I will also, most certainly, only use familiar, white, English-speaking names for my characters from now on. It’s Abigail and Susan all the way. (Thanks again, Harry Potter)
Ok, now I feel mean. But that was my genuine reaction so I don’t mind sharing it with you guys. If I’m going to accept everybody else’s opinion, they can suffer mine too.
There were other amusing comments. I particularly appreciate the person who gave the novel 4*s whilst referring to it as “a good read” and yet ending their review with “There is No happiness here.”
It’s a comfort to know others take some sadistic pleasure from the pursuit of misery. You’re welcome. Just wait for Book 2.
Jesting aside, whilst I’m not going to go back in time and make dramatic changes to a previous novel, there are criticisms that I can absolutely take on board for future titles. I was fortunate enough to endure 3 years of Creative Writing workshops and I can positively announce that criticism is what makes you a better writer. Criticism can make you a better person too, so learn to deal with it! None of us are perfect and I tend to think of myself in the same way I view my manuscripts: a work in progress.
For writers, focussing on the negatives does seem to be a natural trend and writing this blog is one of the methods I use for assessing and dealing with my own mix of emotions. I need to remember to take myself back to when I was just about to release that first novel, now knowing if anybody at all would like or understand it. Well, it turns out people did.
So I’ll finish on something positive:
I can’t say enough good things about this book; the first in a new fantasy series, it does* everything right!
An epic fantasy tale with expert world & character building, creates a work where you care about both the world and the characters that inhabit it. Not just your usual fare of good vs evil, the characters are multi dimensional and complex, capable of both good and bad at any given time – mirroring real human life with all its conflict and paradoxes. The story line is unique and engaging; tense and gripping with enough action to please any battle enthusiast.
A first rate job, superbly done: I can’t wait to read the next book in the series as this one does* not disappoint!!
*corrected typos. Original review here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2Y8MWRUBWAN1
To all readers and reviewers, whether you like a book or not, thank you. And remember to take pride in yourselves for any good deed done, whether it’s listening patiently to someone unload (when all you really want to do is scream) or just making somebody a cup of tea. It all counts.
A.J. Austin
theinnerlands.com 