Last week I was on a bit of a high. After all, I had two books atop Mushroom’s bestseller list. I was working on book III, and felt as though I might have it ready to send off soon. I had a cover design I was happy with.
Now I am suffering not from writer’s block, but something more like writer’s depression.
It started when Ketha fell from the #1 spot. Yes, I know it had to happen, but couldn’t it have lasted just a little bit longer?
Then my writing buddy pointed out more flaws in book III that need fixing. Its all good stuff, and I will make the corrections, but I wanted it to be done by now.
The third thing was the worst. I had an email in my box this morning with the subject line–Heart of Hythea. “Oh goody,” I said to myself, “Fan mail…” But it turned out to be a letter from a book reviewer. I had forgotten that I sent Hythea off to be reviewed by Pangaia Magazine. The first paragraph was very uncomplimentary. So was the first sentence of the second. Don’t ask me what it said after that because I stopped reading it. I filed it in my saved folder. Maybe I will go back to it later–when I am feeling stronger.
But my confidence has taken a big hit, right at the time when I need it most.
I still have my contract to fulfill, so I will press on with book IV. But I don’t think I will enjoy it.
That six month break is looking more and more attractive.
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
:: 
May 20, 2008 at 11:43 am
People can find something bad to say about everything so you shouldn’t sweat it.
If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing you should move on. Life’s too short to waste time on stuff you don’t feel like doing.
Besides…it will show in the finished product.
May 21, 2008 at 9:49 am
Hugs on the review. It sucks, definitely, but you can’t please everybody. Don’t let a negative comment sway you from a story you obviously love if you’ve written so many words in it already. I have a hard time even reading the positive reviews sometimes, because then I begin to worry about the CURRENT book and whether so-and-so will be horrified or whatever by some taboo rule I broke. Hang in there and write the story the way you know it should be written.
May 25, 2008 at 2:30 am
You know, there was a big flap going on just a few weeks ago.
Tess Gerritsen (big time author–NYT best seller, etc) commented on how badly it hurt her to get an ugly review.
Someone came back that reviews–good or bad–never affect them. It was just someone’s opinion and shouldn’t bother Tess at all.
Tess said, of course it did. They were talking about her work that she spent more than a year creating.
A friend of mine, who’s published over 60 books, told them that every less-than-wonderful review hurts her because she puts so much her herself–heart, life and soul–in a book. Anyone it doesn’t affect must remain removed from the work.
My heart goes out to you. You don’t deserve an ugly review. Please try to think of it as one person’s opinion. And that person probably doesn’t have very good taste.
BTW: I haven’t read the review and don’t know the reviewer. I hate it that you’re hurt.
Susan
May 27, 2008 at 11:10 pm
The review won’t be published. I guess that is the silver lining in all this. I’m wondering what I will do if i ever am in a situation to review this woman’s work. She is a fantasy writer too. I hope I would be objective, but my evil side might just take over mwa ha ha!