Greek traditions in a family struggling with connection. A holy icon–the great-grandmother’s treasured heirloom–needs to be recovered for healing. The main character, Marina, must learn what it means to be loved and how to love, as well as to gain self-worth, and overcome fear of her nephew’s illness. This all takes place on the gorgeous Greek Island of Santorini and the Denver, Colorado area. How will a broken family heal? Will Marina have the capacity to dig down deep inside herself to find out who she truly is? Pick up my novel, Passage of Promise, and discover all.
One of my favorite movies that I’ve watched so many times over the years, I’ve lost count, is Hope Floats.
In a time when hope is needed more than ever, I wanted to share a few words, quotes, and a song I’ve been listening to this afternoon that moves me to tears, as it’s so beautiful.
First off, know that you were created by a Trinity, Who is Love, Peace, and Hope.
He fashioned you with the breath of His Spirit, the soil of His created planet, and in His own Image.
You are higher than every plant, animal, and nature’s grandest and most beautiful mountains, seas, and deep, rich forests.
You are higher than the angels.
You are the conduit between the immaterial and material.
All because of Him. His Love.
This pandemic will pass.
This economic depression will pass.
We will meet on the other side of it all with the hope of better things to come.
Today, I received a two-star rating on my debut novel, Passage of Promise. It was my first two-star review out of twenty that have been mostly five and four stars.
As a newly-published author, I expected to receive some ratings that judged my work mediocre. It is part of the life of an author.
Even top, best-selling authors get one-star and two-star reviews, some, unfortunately, with a few nasty remarks. It’s par for the course in the realm of the author’s world, as I said.
Experienced authors have always given the advice to newer authors that they must grow thick skins and not take reviews that aren’t spectacular to heart.
I found the two-star anonymous reviewer’s comments pretty fair. Not everyone is going to like my storyline or my writing style.
This is natural.
As a reader myself, I too, pick up books to read, and come to the same conclusions. Although, if I don’t like the writing style, I don’t buy the book, so I may be even more picky than my two-star reviewer!
The latest book I bought and am having a struggle getting through, I read the first few pages on Amazon and tended to like it because I thought the writing style was pretty good.
But I admit now that the storyline so far has been dragging, and I’m finding it easy to set down the book. The story just isn’t drawing me in to the point where I feel compelled to keep reading it.
Therefore, I understand everybody’s tastes are different, and that each author has her/his niche readers. And that’s good enough for me.
New writers out there and newly-published writers, don’t be discouraged if or when you may get a negative or lower-starred review. Count it as a good thing.
There are three things good about even two-star reviews that are somewhat negative, especially the one I received:
The comments weren’t really insulting.
The person took the time to leave a review.
You learn what each reader gleans from your novel.
For someone who doesn’t really have a high self-esteem, I do know my writing is good, that my stories are worth sharing, and I appreciate the feedback.
Newly-published writers, keep writing and keep publishing your work. There are enough readers out there for each of us.
Modest Musings 