Dealing with bad reviews

[moderntimes]

If the author is sensible and open minded, then sensible criticism can be a helpful impetus toward improving the writing.

Mindless bad reviews or (this seems to be a big source of bad reviews) the reviewer doesn't care for your genre or sub-genre, these can be tossed without consequence. Example, your mystery is a sedate, intellectual story (but well written) and the reviewer only likes slam-bang action thrillers and downgrades you accordingly.

Learning to discern the quality but critical reviews and taking that criticism to heart is one good step in the growth of a writer. Likewise, shabby bad reviews must be water off the duck's back and rightfully ignored.

[dreamwriter_reviews]

There will always be a mix of good and bad reviews don't let that stop your drive to bean author. I know it is difficult but you have to focus. For me I created a mind map. Use a search engine to identify what that is and how to use it if you do not know.
It is posted on my wall with two pieces of scotch tape - one on top, one on bottom. It motivates me seeing what I am aiming to achieve and why I feel strongly about writing or concept of my life's work.

Friends and family may not be forthcoming in true honesty because if they care for you they don't want you to feel bad. I would parent encouragement, advice for what seems to loose or unrelatable, offer suggestions and appeal to your good nature of accepting criticism without turning your raw emotions into doubt.

For me as a reader, I look at grammar first. Different genres, cultures have different ways of speaking but certain grammar laws are still intact. If grammar is difficult for you, write your story and then hire a proofreader like myself just to polish it up. Often times, my mom proofreads my work and she only asks that I do dishes or cook supper. Then I take the context of the story, is the author invested in these characters? Would he run and save the heroine if in trouble? Does the capacity of thrill and suspense meet the readers expectations? Can I see myself reading it in an hour or three hours? Will there be a sequel?

Don't worry to much about bad reviews sometimes its pure dislike for the genre or something not related to the author specifically.

Good luck.

[5ngela]

Bad review is not uncommon. Just move on

[Khaya]

Because creative writing is artistic, I think one of the things new writers are taught is to write from your heart, and don't let the opinion of others interfere with your vision. But after taking many creative writing workshops and classes, on of the things I learned was that good writing is revised writing.

Through proper critique and proper revising, we don't destroy our original work but polish it and sculpt it into the best it can be. That requires seeing the flaws in it, and it's easier to see the flaws through others critique. All writers are limited, we're trapped in our minds and limited perspectives, so flaws in the writing are often not obvious to us at first. It's easier to see the flaws in others writing then it is to see the flaws in our own.

[MarisaRose]

Thanks for being so honest with this topic! I think it's great that the reviews you got praised certain elements and criticized others. Criticism, especially with writing in a world where there are SO many books out there, can only make you better. I wouldn't necessarily discount your already published work, I would take the criticism and use it going forward, no one is perfect and a first try is always the hardest! Keep your head up, keep promoting, and keep working on your next piece!