This week I glanced at the book my husband was reading and the back cover had some glowing remarks from reviewers. I wondered if reviews for my book would say that—and then I wondered if I wanted them to.
What do you think? Take the poll in this post or discuss in the comments!
Oh, boy! I’m the first to vote! My dream review would be “I couldn’t put it down. I want more from this author!” LOL! I’m a bit greedy.
My dream review would be
“Best thing I’ve ever read. Great use of Deep POV–Jordan McCollum, author of 75 NYT bestsellers”
🙂
Tricky one, and I’ve gotten reviews, so I can speak from some experience.
On the one hand, I LOVE getting feedback from readers who say they couldn’t put my book down. I get this perverse pleasure from knowing I kept someone up until three AM. It really is sick, but I love hearing that kind of thing.
On the other hand, I really, really care about craft–to the level that most readers will never notice. Craft isn’t usually what keeps someone glued to the page until three AM.
There are writers I read who I put down and think, “Dang, I’ll never be as good as that,” and it’s not because they kept me up at night, but because they crafted the story or the characters or even the SENTENCES themselves so perfectly.
So I guess on the one hand, I’ll totally take the “I couldn’t put it down!” reviews and cherish those comments, but I do dream of getting the “Wow, she’s a master” review, although if I ever get one, it’ll be years hence. I not delusional enough to think I’m there yet.
Deb—Congrats on being first—you got there even before I did. I hope you get your wish!
Andrew (oh, can I call you Andrew?)—LOL, if you can wait until I have that kind of credentials, send it my way. But don’t hold your breath for me to get to 75. I’d be thrilled with one. Or, hey, one published book 😉 .
Annette—I totally hear you! That’s why I was torn, too. (I went for “Do we have to choose?”, but so far I’m alone.)
I’d rather a reader enjoy the book so much they get lost in the story and be unable to put it down. To me that says that I, as a storyteller, did my job. Similarly thrilling reviews would be “Engrossing” or “I loved this book.”
Although the “Masterfully Written” is something of a pipe dream for me at least. (not for Annette tho) And, like Annette, I love to read a book where I am wowed with the writing. I honestly hope that some time I get the “can’t put it down” comment about some thing I write. I know I am not the great writer but I hope that I am at least the good story teller that doesnt have too many errors to trip up the reader.
Michelle