Tag: stories

The Mistake of Book Reviews Equaling Books Read! Duh!

On By dotluvs2writeIn Fiction Writing, Inspirational, Life, Marketing, Musings, News Events, Publishing, Reviews, Writing Techniques4 Comments

After the years I’ve spent writing novels and novellas and receiving a modest amount of reviews and knowing how it all works, in the past few months, I’d totally forgotten all of it!

It wasn’t until a few days ago my novel, Painted with Good Intentions, was named a finalist by N.N. Light Book’s Heaven’s yearly awards in the genre of inspirational fiction/romance, that this misleading appearance came to me.

Oh, I suppose I should explain a bit about my book’s nomination and being a finalist in that genre I mentioned. To make it easier, I’ll post part of the email I received from the company who reviewed my book last year so that you understand what I’m talking about!

The email reads:

Each year, we rate the books we’ve given five-star reviews (December 2022 – November 2023) and award the best book of the year in select categories. We’ve tabulated the votes and we’re pleased to announce you’re a finalist in the category for inspirational fiction/romance.

We’re announcing the finalists on N. N. Light’s Book Heaven on Friday, December 15.

The winners will be announced on Friday, December 22. 

Congratulations on becoming a finalist. Out of the 1,200 books we read and reviewed in 2023, yours is one of the best. 

So, that was pretty exciting.

After receiving this email, of course I had to post it on my Facebook page.

I also must tell you that I’d nearly given up writing due to the enormous effort it takes promoting and marketing my works. I don’t have much time to do that because I work five days a week and really haven’t had the mental or physical energy to focus on my work-in-progress for several months now.

So, I thought my writing days were over. After all, the highest number of reviews for my books is 31 on Amazon, and, well, that isn’t that much. It’s not awful, but it isn’t what I was hoping for.

Therefore, I believed I did not have much of a readership, even though I know my friends have read my books, and some people I don’t know. Nevertheless, this didn’t make much difference to me.

It wasn’t until I posted about my book being a finalist in the company’s yearly awards and a couple of people under my announcement posted they had read and really liked my book and recommended it that the realization hit, and I remembered that most people don’t leave reviews on books or anything else.

The nomination and this realization that more people than 31 do read my books and that I do have a following resurrected my desire to write and to go back to working on Relics of Life, that already has nearly 59,000 words written so far! How could I not finish it? That would be a wasted effort!

It’s a joy to be able to delve back into this story and be reminded by another poster that I have a gift. Yes, this gift is from God, and I shouldn’t hide it or bury it.

Hoping this is a good reminder for other writers that may have, somehow like I did, forgotten about the fact that not many reviews doesn’t mean that people aren’t reading your work!

Keep on writing!

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Conspiracy Theories – The Good & The Unhealthy

On By dotluvs2writeIn blogging, Cultural and Political, humanity, Life, Musings, News Events, Religious, war6 Comments

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed in the political and cultural realm that many people are accused of being conspiracy theorists. Sometimes it’s true, but from what I’ve seen, it seems most of the time, it’s used by people who want to shut up others who don’t agree with their worldview.

Historically, I’ve read that some conspiracy theories turned out to be true and factual, while others didn’t.

It’s good to do your own research on any news stories you find interesting but maybe question the veracity of their content. Critical thinking, an open mind, and objectiveness help in looking into any story that comes about in the news world.

But there is a dark side to going “down the rabbit hole” when digging into news stories and conspiracy theories associated with them.

I’ve seen people and even some friends who dig so deeply into those conspiracies, they can’t escape the ditch they’ve climbed into and end up being buried, their sanity shaken to the point of becoming chaotic and full of despair.

It can feel like a tightrope, where you can fall off on either side–one of total cognitive dissonance on anything put forth that is questioned by some, and the other, believing every oddity regarding a conspiracy theory on whatever news story.

Moderation and not allowing such stories to overtake your life, mentally and spiritually are of utmost importance.

Remember that these stories aren’t paramount to your survival on this planet. Rather, I believe, your health, your relationships with others, love of God and His creation (if you are a believer)–the last being the pinnacle of your existence–should be what you meditate upon daily and what matters in your life.

Keep a safe distance from getting overly emotional about certain serious news stories around the world, and turn to God in prayer. It is in my experience that this always gives comfort and peace to one’s soul.

With that all said, I believe one can question certain news stories and research them while keeping your mental and spiritual state in balance.

Case in point. My experiences.

I may question certain historical news stories revolving around wars and our national security, but that doesn’t mean I believe in:

  1. Aliens
  2. a flat Earth
  3. Lizard people
  4. Sandy Hook being a hoax
  5. Chemtrails
  6. COVID-19 vaccine is the mark of the beast

Just to name a few.

I think there is this mistaken belief by some that if you question a story our government gives, then you’re some kind of conspiracy nut. Last time I checked, all citizens are to question their government regularly. It’s part of being a responsible American in this country.

In closing, let’s not argue with each other and keep ourselves balanced in this chaotic world. It’s paramount to our sanity and survival.

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The Not-So-Stellar Book Reviews

On By dotluvs2writeIn blogging, Fiction Writing, Inspirational, Musings, News Events, Writing TechniquesLeave a comment

open white pages book

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:

  1. The comments weren’t really insulting.
  2. The person took the time to leave a review.
  3. 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.

 

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