This is one of those pre-post posts because I’m in Southern California today enjoying some time on the beach. Nawt! I’m working . . .kind of. Here’s what happened today.
L to R: Me, Nancy Holder, Gretchen McNeil, Nina Berry, Suzanne Lazear |
We were told to look spooky. I think we failed. |
Stuff about Books & Book Reviews
Also my policy on reviewing books I win is going through some major “re-thinking.” I always said that I’d review any book that I could find at least *** worth to comment on, but that I wouldn’t review those that I felt weren’t up to that level of writing. Now I’m beginning to wonder about that policy. Is that an easy way out? Is that dishonest? I’m only one reader with one very subjective opinion, so what’s the big deal if I opt out of giving a bad, but honest review? I’d love to hear your thoughts about this. What do you do when you read a book, but can’t say it merits recommending to others?
Stuff That’s Writerly
Stuff I Found Interesting
“If you think teenagers aren’t having sex, I wish you’d been my parents.” Laura Anne Giman when asked whether there was too much sex in YA.
“Horror is the literature of hopelessness; fantasy is the literature of hope.” Patricia Briggs. (Horror writer Sephira Giron disagreed!)
Any comments?
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I’ve put Alligators Overhead up for grabs on Smashwords. Free. Free. Free. Grab an eBook. Hope you enjoy the adventure.
Rose Munevar says
I've written a few bad reviews, but only for big name, best selling authors who don't care what I think. I would rather not say anything if I don't like a book because of respect for their work, and fear of revenge if I ever get published!
Trisha says
Hmm, Alex's comment makes me think maybe I should stop finishing the books that I can't stand, just so I have a good reason for not reviewing them. 🙂 But I have this obsession with finishing any book I start and recording my thoughts about it on GoodReads. 😛
Kelly Hashway says
So great that so many Two and Twenty Dark Tales authors were able to get together like that. 🙂
Lynn Proctor says
sounds like a great time—i am like susan–although i haven't officially reviewed at all, but if that is what my job was, i would write the truth
Susan Oloier says
Cindy's idea is actually a Barry Lane technique of using the binoculars. I used to teach 8th grade English ten years ago, and used that with the kids. I recently shared it with my son's teacher. It is great stuff! He didn't suggest the TP roll, however 🙂
Book reviews: Since I am also a writer, as well as a reader, my personal policy is that I do not review or feature books on my blog that I don't truly like. I won't write a bad book review b/c, for me, it's bad karma. I do find something positive to tell the writer personally, but I won't share my thoughts publicly. That's just me, though. If I was only a book reviewer, I'd write good and bad reviews.
Elizabeth Seckman says
And to think I've been tossing the tool that may be the key to a break out novel every single day!
Scribbles From Jenn says
Love the TP tip, I think I have one I can get now.
I don't review books I don't like either. It saves the reader from buying a book they may not like and making me responsible for that mistake. It also allows me to stay friends with the author.
DMS says
Great pictures! Looks like it was a blast : )
Regarding reviews, Stephanie and I only review books that we like- it's like my mom always said, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything- lol!
Thanks for mentioning us : ) Fun post! ~ Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com
Cecilia Robert says
Ooh, you ladies look like you had fun! 🙂
About reviewing books: I find it hard to review books that I had a hard time reading. I rarely review them. I'm starting to rethink that policy because I keep asking myself, how will the author know what didn't work, especially if the author reads the reviews.–I think some don't read reviews. I don't trash the books though, just what didn't work for me.
SA Larsenッ says
So awesome that you all were able to get together! Love that.
I decided over the summer to revamp my reviewing policy as well. It gets tougher with the more of our own work that gets out there.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm loving all your responses to the questions. Tks Mary re the Amazon/author review issue. That's very comtrolling of them. I think I'm sticking with my rule of thumb on reviews.
Lexa Cain says
I loved your whole post, but I'm shocked by Patricia Briggs' quote about Horror. I love Horror because the stakes are so high and yet the hero overcomes everything and wins in the end. Horror expresses the simplest delineation of good vs evil available in literature. There are no shades of gray. They're like modernized westerns–white hats vs black hats–and the white hats almost always win (in the ones I love anyway).
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great response. I'm always interested in how writers view writing categories they don't write v those they do.
M Pax says
This is probably lame, but I usually give 5 stars to my friends because I want to help them on their journey. Amazon is about to make this mute for us by no longer allowing authors to review. But we can still review on other sites. On Goodreads, because it's for readers, I usually only give a star rating. I think it's a sticky widget, honestly.
I hope you had a great time at the signing. I love the photo and wished I could have popped in.
Tara Tyler says
i dont like so much sex in ya. just because it happens IRL doesnt mean it's good. but the drama that comes with it does make for good stories…difficult topic!
love the focus on the tp tube!
Catherine Stine says
The bookstore event looked fun! Good "papertowel roll" tip too.
Catherine Stine says
The bookstore event looked fun! Good "papertowel roll" tip too.
Angela Brown says
If it is a book that I had quite a few troubls with, I tend not to post a review. Just a personal choice. Heck, there are some great books I need to get out and do reviews for 🙂
The TP roll tip is pretty cool. Have to see about using it.
Southpaw says
I don't review books for the reason's Alex gave but I don't review ones I like either because I don't want someone to feel left out. I know it is weird, but there you have it.
Barbara Watson says
LOVE the TP roll TiP. 🙂
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – I've struggled with a few books and have kept quiet …
Now the toilet roll on the desk – sounds an interesting talking point ..
Love the photo of the five authors .. I'll get Alligators Overhead – when I get that Kindle ..
Cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
I just thought the rp roll was kind of wacky and fun–just a writerly diversion during bland periods.
Understand what you mean about struggling with some books.
Stephen Tremp says
Like Alex, I do not review books I do not like. Why bother to give a bad review. If a book is bad, I won;t finish reading it and therefore cannot give a review anyway.
C. Lee McKenzie says
So it seems you and Alex agree that a poor bk will fail anyway, so writers need not weigh in
Tks for your opinion.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
People would really wonder why I had that empty roll of toilet paper on my desk.
I won't review a book that I didn't like. Part of that is because I'm not slamming a fellow author, but a lot of it is because if I don't like a book, I don't finish it – thus, I can't review it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
My friends would know it had to with writing. They know I'm nuts anyway.
Thanks for the response toy review question