You know what that isn't such a bad idea. I'll give that a second shot.Do you have beta readers / critique partners / pro editors?
The names won't be helped; I'm not changing Mokallai to Chris and Dyiij to Sheryl for anyone.
So I go my first two-star review. ...
Speaking of thoughtful, here's the other one.Personally, I think it's bad form to respond to any thoughtful critique (which this was) with anything other than "thank you for the time you took to read and comment on my work."
I don't agree with responding with even 'thank you.' I do agree with not responding at all. I can see the futility of that from the other side of the universe.
B) she got cocky because I bothered to message her back saying "I look forward to seeing what you have to say in x-weeks"
No, I havn't responded.
I found out the reason Melissa (from Writocracy) gave me a two-star review was A) she was pissed I didn't clutter the story with the very details I decided to apendicize, B) she got cocky because I bothered to message her back saying "I look forward to seeing what you have to say in x-weeks" and C) my story wasn't in her list of things that she was used to - apparently not many people know what third person omniscience is anymore. So that screwed me over.
Seriously--stop reading reviews. A bad review will ruin your day far more than a good review will make you happy. It just ain't worth it.
So I go my first two-star review. Can't do crap about that.
So what do I do now?
I can't exactly cry about it.
Ah. My apologies. I was under the impression there'd be a tad more information revealed in the review. Like, I'd love to know just what exactly her questions were, that way I can go back and address them. Or what style she's used to, so I know what to adhere to POV wise in the next run, etc.
I'm going to call this a little bit of an update.
I found out the reason Melissa (from Writocracy) gave me a two-star review was A) she was pissed I didn't clutter the story with the very details I decided to apendicize, B) she got cocky because I bothered to message her back saying "I look forward to seeing what you have to say in x-weeks" and C) my story wasn't in her list of things that she was used to - apparently not many people know what third person omniscience is anymore. So that screwed me over.
I think ever responding to a poor review is a huge, huge, huge mistake. And no reviewer is ever wrong. For her, she was exactly right, and should say just what she did.
Why even read reviews? It's as pointless as screen doors in a submarine. You can win an argument about reviews, and if you believe the good ones, you're obligated to believe the bad ones.
I haven't read a review in twenty years, and haven't missed a single thing. I care what average readers say, and they always let me know. I don't give a rat's ass what any reviewer says, even if the review compares me favorably to Shakespeare.
The best thing you can do is accept that there are people who will absolutely hate your book for reasons that have nothing to do with the quality of your writing.
One person didn't like it. That person is allowed to simply not like it because she didn't like it. That's how this business goes. If you find it this bothersome, don't read the reviews.
I found out the reason Melissa (from Writocracy) gave me a two-star review was A) she was pissed I didn't clutter the story with the very details I decided to apendicize, B) she got cocky because I bothered to message her back saying "I look forward to seeing what you have to say in x-weeks" and C) my story wasn't in her list of things that she was used to - apparently not many people know what third person omniscience is anymore. So that screwed me over.