How many books have you read that are error free? I've yet to find one that didn't have at least one or two minor errors, some many more, but I don't judge the creative talent and awesome story plot by nitpicking.
I've read my books until I was thoroughly sick of them, trying to make sure I'd not overlooked anything. Spellchecker only works if you actually misspell...it doesn't pick up on the differences between words like think and thing, words missing 'ed' or a and an. Add in the fact that most brains read what is supposed to be there, and we're bound to make mistakes. Does that make us a poor writer?
Of course not, but finding minor mistakes seems to be a bone of contention with some who leave reviews. Besides editing my own work as best I can, each manuscript goes through an editing process with the publisher. We all want to be proud of what we produce, and most brains read what is supposed to be there and don't even notice the slight errors. I wonder what pleasure some folks get from shredding a terrific story to bits because they discovered something misspelled or misused?
I recently read a review for a fellow author's book which earned one star for the creative talent that went into the writing. I was stirred to read the book for myself, and I was amazed how cruel and unfair the reviewer had been. The author wrote such a fascinating story...and remember, we're talking fiction here, so people need to remember that when they criticize the creativity, yet the reviewer focused only on a few misspelled words, or totally missed the point that the author used the broken English of the western era. In retrospect, and reviewer came across as the real dummy.
Another complaint was too many story lines. Are you kidding me? I love authors who add more to their secondary characters than just a name, and introduce you to back story that ultimately plays into the main plot. I'm thinking some people should just stick to nursery rhymes...short, sweet, and to the point. :) I've going to post my own review of the work in question, and in my mind, just as all the other books I've read by this particular author, she's earned five stars from me. I can't wait to dig into her next book. I have only one question, and that's why hasn't mainstream snapped her up?
Don't be swayed by bad reviews. Remember they are only one person's opinion, so read and draw your own conclusions. You might be totally surprised. :)
I've read my books until I was thoroughly sick of them, trying to make sure I'd not overlooked anything. Spellchecker only works if you actually misspell...it doesn't pick up on the differences between words like think and thing, words missing 'ed' or a and an. Add in the fact that most brains read what is supposed to be there, and we're bound to make mistakes. Does that make us a poor writer?
Of course not, but finding minor mistakes seems to be a bone of contention with some who leave reviews. Besides editing my own work as best I can, each manuscript goes through an editing process with the publisher. We all want to be proud of what we produce, and most brains read what is supposed to be there and don't even notice the slight errors. I wonder what pleasure some folks get from shredding a terrific story to bits because they discovered something misspelled or misused?
I recently read a review for a fellow author's book which earned one star for the creative talent that went into the writing. I was stirred to read the book for myself, and I was amazed how cruel and unfair the reviewer had been. The author wrote such a fascinating story...and remember, we're talking fiction here, so people need to remember that when they criticize the creativity, yet the reviewer focused only on a few misspelled words, or totally missed the point that the author used the broken English of the western era. In retrospect, and reviewer came across as the real dummy.
Another complaint was too many story lines. Are you kidding me? I love authors who add more to their secondary characters than just a name, and introduce you to back story that ultimately plays into the main plot. I'm thinking some people should just stick to nursery rhymes...short, sweet, and to the point. :) I've going to post my own review of the work in question, and in my mind, just as all the other books I've read by this particular author, she's earned five stars from me. I can't wait to dig into her next book. I have only one question, and that's why hasn't mainstream snapped her up?
Don't be swayed by bad reviews. Remember they are only one person's opinion, so read and draw your own conclusions. You might be totally surprised. :)
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Well said, Ginger, on a subject near and dear to all our hearts. BTW, there's a typo 6 lines up from the bottom :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, too true of some reviewers. I've seen 'big name' authors that have errors in their books. If most only knew of the process that writers go through from idea creation, putting words to paper, to galleys, they wouldn't bitch about small errors. 'Scuse my French. Thanks for a great post.
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