tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post97395429679070476..comments2024-03-28T23:49:23.325-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Newsflash: Publishing is SubjectiveElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-74487557358465199922010-12-04T17:55:29.176-07:002010-12-04T17:55:29.176-07:00I think it will be very hard, but if anyone can do...I think it will be very hard, but if anyone can do it...you can Elana!Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-69137415216979741952010-12-03T19:49:19.359-07:002010-12-03T19:49:19.359-07:00It definitely is harder to live than to believe, b...It definitely is harder to live than to believe, but you have to believe it first. And repeat it, again and again. And eventually it will be true in your heart as well - <i>I'm not my book. I'm not my book.</i><br /><br />BUT your book will be loved by all, so no worries! :)<br /><br />p.s. it's sitting in my "orders" list at Amazon, soulfully waiting until it's set free, erm, released.Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-44756534599716731342010-12-01T10:27:12.123-07:002010-12-01T10:27:12.123-07:00I think publishing is indeed VERY subjective. You ...I think publishing is indeed VERY subjective. You have to find an agent who LIKES your book, then a publisher who also does. Let's face it, it's all about pleasing the right people. BUT when it comes to critics, comments have to be taken with a pinch of salt. You may AIM to please, but you'll never get everyone on board. There are some professional moaners out there who love nothing more than a good take-down. <br /><br />I think it's normal to feel defensive of your work and, no matter how hard you try, to get scared of people not liking your work. It's your baby. You've poured your blood, sweat, tears in there, along with all the fruits of your imagination and even probably developed carpal tunnel syndrome over it. Hey, I'd be touchy too! lol Actually, I am. I want to be liked. It's not wrong! :PNathalie Schiltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00912496654865234252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-29456062007867008872010-12-01T07:38:53.455-07:002010-12-01T07:38:53.455-07:00Oh, God, yes. I hate this - making friends with ot...Oh, God, yes. I hate this - making friends with other writers is awesome, and I love the support in this community, but then when I look up someone's book and don't like it, I think, "Well, crap. NOW what?" Do I never mention that I read it, so they won't ask me what I thought about it?<br /><br />AACK!<br /><br />I want to live it, though. I want us all to be able to support each other without feeling like we have to love each other's work all the time. And I don't take it personally when one of my CPs says, "This is really not my thing, so I've just tried to give you feedback as well as I can." I don't know why I have so much trouble saying the same thing to another writer when it's so easy for me to hear it myself. So I'm trying to live it.Ishta Mercuriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17776946702988283453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-9434819972963726902010-11-30T23:30:50.040-07:002010-11-30T23:30:50.040-07:00Um yeah. It's hard.
Luckily, I really do lov...Um yeah. It's hard. <br /><br />Luckily, I really do love your book.Nichole Gileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12536148445303996747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-85152885398236267572010-11-30T19:22:06.514-07:002010-11-30T19:22:06.514-07:00YEEEEEEESS your majesty! (Sorry, been watching Ali...YEEEEEEESS your majesty! (Sorry, been watching Alice in Wonderland, cartoon version) It's MUCH harder to live than believe.Catherine Dentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771249741266703689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-20006284513000706622010-11-30T18:33:36.281-07:002010-11-30T18:33:36.281-07:00Thank you, everyone! I am woefully behind in my em...Thank you, everyone! I am woefully behind in my email, so you might not get a response. But I'm going to try!<br /><br />And man, will June EVER COME??Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-12765632224721924382010-11-30T18:27:16.548-07:002010-11-30T18:27:16.548-07:00So true and good to remember. All the comments her...So true and good to remember. All the comments here are good too. <br /><br />I've just had 2 professionals look at the first few pages of my novel and I'm really looking carefully at what they say. Before I have always done what they said. Now I'm being more discerning.<br /><br />Only I know what I want to say. <br /><br />One thing I've learned on this journey is to go with my gut feeling and it's becoming quite clear with what suggestions are relevant to my vision and what aren't. So it's time to put it out and say - okay some of you will like it, some of you won't. I just hope I find a publisher who does like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-50984784074993569132010-11-30T18:27:10.157-07:002010-11-30T18:27:10.157-07:00So true and good to remember. All the comments her...So true and good to remember. All the comments here are good too. <br /><br />I've just had 2 professionals look at the first few pages of my novel and I'm really looking carefully at what they say. Before I have always done what they said. Now I'm being more discerning.<br /><br />Only I know what I want to say. <br /><br />One thing I've learned on this journey is to go with my gut feeling and it's becoming quite clear with what suggestions are relevant to my vision and what aren't. So it's time to put it out and say - okay some of you will like it, some of you won't. I just hope I find a publisher who does like it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-72323528078167231372010-11-30T17:20:48.299-07:002010-11-30T17:20:48.299-07:00I imagine it's probably better to not seek out...I imagine it's probably better to not seek out what reviewers are saying. If you run across one, sure, you'll read it, but to consciously look for what folks are saying, can be debilitating. You've written the book, you're not changing it, so it's not productive to focus on what people say.<br /><br />I guess this confirms what Sara Zarr does. If I'm blessed enough to get a book deal, I'll take a page out of her book and NOT put goggle alerts on my name. She said it saves her a lot of stress.<br /><br />And no matter what people say, you've accomplished a goal that is the dream of untold thousands. Be proud of that and celebrate!June Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08570382577796763370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-43080044471085590412010-11-30T17:06:38.969-07:002010-11-30T17:06:38.969-07:00In preparation for my book release next month (eep...In preparation for my book release next month (eep!) I've sent my book out to a few people so they can review it for my book release. And I realize that some of them may hate it. There are going to be people out there that shred me for my lack of platform, or for some obscure rule I didn't address, or for the book being too informal....someone somewhere is going to HATE it....and it makes me nauseous LOL but...it's gonna happen and I'm trying really hard to not worry about it.<br /><br />However, no matter what I tell myself, I do worry, I will be upset, it will hurt. I just hope there are enough people who like it to counter the negative that is sure to come :)Michelle McLeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08730366330276974943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-65664475516944755552010-11-30T16:41:16.331-07:002010-11-30T16:41:16.331-07:00That's a tough question. I think what makes i...That's a tough question. I think what makes it so tricky is that aside from whether people think your work is "good" or "bad" is that there's so much grey area in between. I know for me, I'll often gloss over the positive feedback, but then I'll latch on to that one itsy-bitsy negative comment.<br /><br />I guess the important thing is to remember there isn't just "good" and "bad" but lots of in between.Gabriela Pereirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01007834914023986058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-37659126005770384002010-11-30T16:18:20.238-07:002010-11-30T16:18:20.238-07:00This terrifies me - I can be a total wimp - puttin...This terrifies me - I can be a total wimp - putting our stuff out there is hard! I think I'm more inclined to like the books of people I like online. Therefore I'm inclined to like your book - no worries! :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-26281768955130495052010-11-30T15:34:06.890-07:002010-11-30T15:34:06.890-07:00Well, I'm pretty darn sure I'm gonna like ...Well, I'm pretty darn sure I'm gonna like your novel!!!<br /><br />The subjectivity makes "figuring things out" really hard. I just hope to catch someone's eye at some point--I believe in my story. I just hope an agent does too. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-20683485170301288412010-11-30T14:50:59.612-07:002010-11-30T14:50:59.612-07:00Oh, yeah. It's way harder to live than to beli...Oh, yeah. It's way harder to live than to believe.<br /><br />However, consider this: If your book is not widely read enough to get reviews on both ends of the spectrum, then that's far worse news, as far as the publishing industry is concerned.<br /><br />We really ought to HOPE that so many people read our books that some people hate them. <br /><br />But, still, it's kind of like someone pointing at the baby in our stroller and saying, "Gosh, what an ugly kid."<br /><br />Maybe even worse. :)Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-29252044141199771172010-11-30T14:25:33.246-07:002010-11-30T14:25:33.246-07:00I think it would be so hard not to take it persona...I think it would be so hard not to take it personally!<br /><br />I think I would be like...WHY don't you like it? What is wrong with you?lolMarsha Sigmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095210839900479297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-84116599555154715102010-11-30T14:24:20.078-07:002010-11-30T14:24:20.078-07:00Much, much harder to live than believe. It's e...Much, much harder to live than believe. It's easy to see someone else's book get mixed reviews and think, well, that's normal. But our baby?? Yeah right! Ha!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-38060299869236146722010-11-30T13:56:04.632-07:002010-11-30T13:56:04.632-07:00Yes, definitely! It's always more difficult t...Yes, definitely! It's always more difficult to DO than to THINK (unless you live in a world of mind control, in which I imagine thinking would be difficult). The difficulty is tenfold when it becomes about us. Don't worry. I just know the reviews will be AT LEAST 95% glowingly positive (ignore that adverb, cuz I like it there). Of course, if you are really dying to know what I think of your book, I'd be happy to read it! He he he. :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-34960952900521209852010-11-30T13:26:07.646-07:002010-11-30T13:26:07.646-07:00Absolutely; much harder to live by. "When it...Absolutely; much harder to live by. "When its your book. Or mine."<br /><br />I already know my novel has mixed reviews from the few reader responses I've have. Still doesn't make it any easier to swallow when someone says "its just not my thing" and you know they read extensively in the genre. Then again, you can like one author's books in a given genre and not another's. <br /><br />Very subjective; but I've been there myself as a reader. Sometimes as a writer though, thick skinned doesn't begin to cover the agony.<br /><br />.......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-32143048551278304082010-11-30T13:16:52.946-07:002010-11-30T13:16:52.946-07:00Yes, I definitely think it's harder to live th...Yes, I definitely think it's harder to live than believe. <br /><br />Wow. Six months.<br /><br />I'm full of happy-sauce for you. *grin*Jessica Nelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12365768876905444157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-11842570656305532122010-11-30T13:08:45.116-07:002010-11-30T13:08:45.116-07:00Sometimes I let my mind wander into la la land whe...Sometimes I let my mind wander into la la land where everything will be perfect if I can just get an agent. Then I remember I have to sell the book. And oh, yeah, people will read it, and some might not like it... <br /><br />The only way to avoid that is not to put yourself out there, and I'm not willing to do that.Melissa Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02700191547004665402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-63394534643395106512010-11-30T13:06:33.544-07:002010-11-30T13:06:33.544-07:00There's always going to be people out there th...There's always going to be people out there that won't like anything no matter what it is. So you have to have some thick skin, shake it off, and come up with some sort of diabolical plan to ruin them. Ya know, be a grown up about it;) I can't imagine anyone not liking your book, so don't worry about it. If you should get a bad review, I will personally help you hunt them down and we'll call them meany pants in front of their peers. It will be APOCALYPTIC! Just say the word. Then we'll have chocolate and you'll feel all better. I like to call this more suburbanesque behavior as opposed to ghetto. Oh, love the new design on the blog...it is awesomesauce.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08798243128846248604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-42316564950601883252010-11-30T12:59:15.933-07:002010-11-30T12:59:15.933-07:00Oh boy do I feel you. I worry about negative revie...Oh boy do I feel you. I worry about negative reviews and I don't even have a book deal yet.<br /><br />But it IS subjective. And it's also not personal. When I don't like a book it doesn't make me think the writer is an idiot or a bad person. I just think we have different taste.<br /><br />As someone who has read POSESSION, however, I think the number of glowing reviews is going to far outshine those few haters. :)Shannon Messengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08003607156860716462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-6530570195040724932010-11-30T12:49:44.858-07:002010-11-30T12:49:44.858-07:00I hope I like it too because I will definetelly bu...I hope I like it too because I will definetelly buy it. You're so right about publishing being subjective.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399082789777816445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-53532149345315225262010-11-30T12:39:42.476-07:002010-11-30T12:39:42.476-07:00You're totally right, and it's definitely ...You're totally right, and it's definitely harder to live than to believe, especially when it's about something as near to you as your own book.Krispyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09492607213249874138noreply@blogger.com