tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post4725762264328055563..comments2024-03-17T03:17:43.229-04:00Comments on David Anthony Durham: On the Fortieth Review, and NegativityDavid Anthony Durhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13885922955551669016noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-35270749182454488142008-09-16T11:53:00.000-04:002008-09-16T11:53:00.000-04:00First of all, I'd like to say I like the new look ...First of all, I'd like to say I like the new look of your site. I haven't visited in a few weeks, so I'm not sure when it changed.<BR/><BR/>Your persistence in the face of negativity is motivating for aspiring writers like myself and others. It's very easy to get down on yourself and be your own worst critic -- which I know I am -- but it's that persistence and self-discipline and dedication to improve that make us better at the craft.<BR/><BR/>I think you're right: criticisms and negative feedback can definitely make us stronger. It's nice to know published, well-known authors like yourself go through the same kinds of trials; it gives encouragement and hope to us small guys. <BR/><BR/>Keep on writing. I, for one, enjoyed Acacia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-2944408877275710072008-09-08T21:55:00.000-04:002008-09-08T21:55:00.000-04:00Or that they don't like ice cream at all.Or that they don't like ice cream at all.Corby Kennardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06891081576090200925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-42006311217243332222008-09-08T19:13:00.000-04:002008-09-08T19:13:00.000-04:00Yah, that's the cloud within the silver lining of ...Yah, that's the cloud within the silver lining of the internet. It allows a lot of communication but some of those people you can communicate with you'd rather not.<BR/><BR/>At least most of the people seem to like your books and you can't please all of the people all of the time.<BR/><BR/>Even if you gave away a free ice cream cone with every book, somebody would whine about how they didn't like that flavor of ice cream.Dirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02887572289745717834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-78369611128393059792008-09-08T15:54:00.000-04:002008-09-08T15:54:00.000-04:00Hi Allison,Well, I do believe that negative review...Hi Allison,<BR/><BR/>Well, I do believe that negative reviews are absolutely part of the job, even a good sign. It shows that enough people are reading the work. So, as annoying and time killing as they can be, there's a positive side to it also.<BR/><BR/>And if I let such things get me down I wouldn't be doing justice to all the kind folks that have put their time into my work and written to tell me they enjoyed it. It needs to be about them more than about those that aren't fans/friends.David Anthony Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13885922955551669016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-46422295624324106412008-09-08T12:35:00.000-04:002008-09-08T12:35:00.000-04:00Hey David--sucks about the crap review. Honestly, ...Hey David--sucks about the crap review. Honestly, I'm a little confused by the "ripped from the headlines" comment, considering slavery and corruption of the powerful are hardly new topics. I don't think the Times has the corner on that market. Maybe Fox News, but just barely.<BR/><BR/>In terms of being discouraged, clearly you're not. Well done. In these cases, the following thoughts stick with me (which, coincidentally, you helped teach):<BR/><BR/>1) Criticism from peers and professional colleagues is valuable, usually well-meant, and constructive (at least it should be). <BR/><BR/>2) Criticism from "pop culture dropouts" is often reactionary and poorly thought out. Feel free to dismiss with wild abandon.<BR/><BR/>and (my favorite)<BR/><BR/>3) To quote "A League of Their Own," writing is "supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great."<BR/><BR/>Happy to see this hasn't gotten you down. Even happier to see that righteousness on the behalf of creative types everywhere.<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/>AllisonA. Hartman Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14812890578217085290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-58291613281748391832008-09-06T14:03:00.000-04:002008-09-06T14:03:00.000-04:00Liath, Thank you. I hope you don't mind, but I jus...Liath, Thank you. I hope you don't mind, but I just put together a quick post that links to your review!David Anthony Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13885922955551669016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-86184907966297672742008-09-06T10:05:00.000-04:002008-09-06T10:05:00.000-04:00Gosh! Wherever you look, some reviews on Amazon ar...Gosh! Wherever you look, some reviews on Amazon are just blatant nonsense, therefore I ignore most of them. You wrote an outstanding book, David. <BR/><BR/>Two very stupid reviews on Amazon.de were the main reason for me to write a review, either. <BR/>After reading the German version of Acacia in February, I now try the Original - and it's even better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-8923660057681882902008-09-05T19:08:00.000-04:002008-09-05T19:08:00.000-04:00Erika, Well you, of course, are awesome. So there ...Erika, Well you, of course, are awesome. So there you go.<BR/><BR/>I actually just checked To Kill a Mockingbird on Amazon. The main paperback edition (from 2002) has a ton of reviews - 1,745 to be exact. Of those, 58 are one starred. 36 are two starred. Kinda funny that more people thought the book totally sucked than just thought it mostly sucked. ;)David Anthony Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13885922955551669016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-32921066778545141662008-09-05T17:53:00.000-04:002008-09-05T17:53:00.000-04:00Sometimes I check out the Amazon reviews of arch c...Sometimes I check out the Amazon reviews of arch classics which are generally held to be above reproach, critically speaking. I think the only one I ever found that had no 1 or 2 star reviews was To Kill a Mockingbird. <BR/><BR/>I would have given Acacia 10 stars if that had been an option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-24057609280376778312008-09-05T14:17:00.000-04:002008-09-05T14:17:00.000-04:00Hi Cat, Rereading it? That's cool, I think. Hopefu...Hi Cat, Rereading it? That's cool, I think. Hopefully, you'll like it even more. (Fingers crossed.) And, don't be shy about posting a review. Friends can have opinions, too.<BR/><BR/>Paranoyd, yeah, you don't McCarthy at all, do you? I saw that review, though, right? I understand where it came from and that it was well thought out and serious. The single star may be harsh, but you went for it as a way of punctuating your well thought out points. It wasn't lightly done.<BR/><BR/>Dave, you wrote...<BR/><BR/>"You didn't come out guns blazing, dropping bodies, hurling invective or insults..."<BR/><BR/>Was that an option? Sounds kinda like fun... ;)<BR/><BR/>Jayme, thank you. I'm glad you found your way here. I hope the hurricane treats you kindly, and that you do get a chance to check out my work.David Anthony Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13885922955551669016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-18008008002448534112008-09-05T07:39:00.000-04:002008-09-05T07:39:00.000-04:00Hey- I have not read your book(s) yet but i saw a ...Hey- I have not read your book(s) yet but i saw a link to Acacia and poked it and found my way to your website. I read this latest post of yours. I found your post very intelligent and insightful and I am now determined to head out (after the hurricane hits me) and pick it up and give it a read.<BR/><BR/>An author that is free to speak his mind and opens the doors to his thoughts to his fans, is worth at least the time and cash to hear what their creativity has unleashed.<BR/><BR/>/saluteAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636136492668000760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-50301982198481479462008-09-05T05:01:00.000-04:002008-09-05T05:01:00.000-04:00I really respect you, David. You didn't come out g...I really respect you, David. You didn't come out guns blazing, dropping bodies, hurling invective or insults... You handled that very well, and just adds to your stature as an author. I think the thing we should also remember is that most of the people who voice such negative comments (when critiquing anything) have only themselves to use as back up; what I mean to say is that they don't do much else, and the general anonymity given by the internet is usually used by sarcastic little idiots who wouldn't know something good if it bit them on the nose! :-) But I s'pose this has to be said too: at least they're giving )in their opinion) their honest opinions. Well, I say 'Whatever'. You're writing wonderful tales, and doing what you what to do - I wonder if those negatives out there can say the same thing... :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-48439324098975762802008-09-05T02:19:00.000-04:002008-09-05T02:19:00.000-04:00Firstly - you have been touted by most of the curr...Firstly - you have been touted by most of the current scifi writers of note, so there's that. <BR/><BR/>Scalzi has great things to say about negative reviews - indeed, he puts them on his site and laughs at them, allowing the rest of us to do so as well. The funniest thing - most of those negative reviews are written so badly that they are all-but-unreadable vitriolic attacks with no critical relevance. <BR/><BR/>I admit that I have posted one star reviews, but only of Cormac McCarthy and only after thinking about what I really felt and trying to make it legible and honest, not just taking an attack pose.<BR/><BR/>I really am not affected by baseless negativity - I prefer honest criticisms, even if it points out something negative about the work. I have no ego about my writing - if someone thinks a piece sucks that is fine, but if the critic can't explain why I pay no attention. <BR/><BR/>I had some criticisms about Acacia, and I've shared them, with you, but I tell you, whether I loved or hated the book (which I really enjoyed, and am eagerly anticipating the next installment), you are a great writer, regardless of the story. <BR/><BR/>ps. I went and criticized her review. Not that you need people to lambaste your critics, but she was just disrespectful and deserved to be called out.Corby Kennardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06891081576090200925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-32584583810657544672008-09-04T21:09:00.000-04:002008-09-04T21:09:00.000-04:00I haven't posted a review on Amazon, but I thoroug...I haven't posted a review on Amazon, but I thoroughly enjoyed Acacia. In fact, am currently re-reading it. :)<BR/><BR/>I am often amazed at how vitriolic negative reviewers get about a book. I mean, it's a book. If they don't like it, fine, but to say things like 'this book proves Jesus died in vain' is a bit extreme, yes? They really seem to enjoy ripping things apart.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, you're quite right, you don't write one-star books and so those reviews can be safely ignored entirely. Thanks for this post though, was good to hear a measured, considered response to what must be a very painful experience!Andrea Eameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15304706719936895188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-79255736008957330382008-09-04T20:30:00.000-04:002008-09-04T20:30:00.000-04:00Hi Tia,Believe me, I'd be very happy for you to pu...Hi Tia,<BR/><BR/>Believe me, I'd be very happy for you to put up that review on Amazon. ;)<BR/><BR/>I suppose I think a lot of things about why some people seem to thrive on tearing others down. (And that is what I'm talking about here. There's a line between expressing your opinion about a book and seeming to take joy in what becomes a rather uncritical bashing.) It's probably better I don't go on too much about it, though. That's why I wanted the post to just acknowledge that the negativity does have claws. Even as I acknowledge that it's our job as creators to get past it and recognize the audience that does count.<BR/><BR/>If nothing else, I'll spend too much of the day after reading a review like that walking around shaking my head, thinking "WTF? Are they talking about my book? Sounds like it, but... WTF?..."<BR/><BR/>And THAT is a waste of time. It's a dent in what I should be doing with my day.<BR/><BR/>I go through periods of not reading the one or two star reviews. I have to say I don't accept that I write one star books, so when I see that I know whatever they have to say is not going to be something I'll find reasonable or enlightening.<BR/><BR/>But there always comes a day when curiosity gets a hold of me and I'll read the stinkers... and then walk around with a hangover from it all day...David Anthony Durhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13885922955551669016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12158536.post-31216836026865279092008-09-04T20:01:00.000-04:002008-09-04T20:01:00.000-04:00Oops! It looks like I never put my review from Fan...Oops! It looks like I never put my review from Fantasy Debut up on Amazon. Something else for the to do list . . . <BR/><BR/>Those were bummers, to be sure. I have an author friend who claims to never read reviews because she dreads reading the bad ones. And I have another author friend who read a negative review on Amazon and got REALLY upset. In fact, she said many of the same things that you said in this post.<BR/><BR/>I do think that some people like being mean. And others may simply be jealous. It is always hard to read/hear criticism of yourself (or your works) and not be in a position where you can defend yourself. Reviewers know this, which is why some of them are so awful. It's a power trip.Tia Nevitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05489109929908389257noreply@blogger.com