A Few Minutes of Your Time, That's All.

I have been writing for many years and must admit, I did not give great thought to the importance of reviews before. It is mainly short stories I had published and admittedly, it's not often you receive a review for a single story.
However, I have read other people's reviews and even bought books on the strength of their words. Yet, when it came to writing one, I often hesitated, as I felt, who wants to read what I have to say? How silly is that for a writer, I hear you holler!

But now that I have my debut novel, My Husband's Sin out there, my collection of short stories, A Baker's Dozen and my new novella The Runaway due for launching shortly, the reality of how important those reviews are for writers, hit home for me.
It is a nerve-wrecking but thoroughly exciting time to have a novel published. Knowing I have bared my soul by putting my work out there, which can be scary, deep down I want to know what people think of it. So, this is where a review fulfills its duty.

When I received my 1st review, I jumped up and down, so happy to think that a reader took the time to write about my novel. It was this that I appreciated, that a reader gave me a few minutes of their personal time. They reached out. If this is what my readers can do for me, then, I, in return can do it for others.

I have received 5 star reviews right down to 1 star. I read them and noted what it is the reader liked or didn't like. Admittedly, my joy at the 3, 4 and 5 stars was ripped from me at receiving the 1 star, but so be it. We each have our own likes and dislikes and if my novel was not for them, than I shrug my shoulders and remember there are many out there who do like my books.

By posting a review, just a few short words will do if you do not feel like writing a longer piece, helps other readers to find a book they may like and it helps writers know what their readers want.

So remember to review! Authors really do appreciate it.

All in a Week

 

ONLY 3 LEFT!



I am still buzzing from an exciting week just gone. I got my books on to the shops bookshelves, then had two interviews with both local and provencial newspapers. One of the interviews reached the front page (see above) and the other is published next week. Then I had a twenty min interview on local radio. The radio station bcr92.6 fm, is giving me a podcast of the interview so I shall put it up at a later date.

THE TROUBLE WITH READING......

The trouble with reading is it stops me from living, as in, other aspects of my life gets ignored. This blog, the ironing, the shopping, the husband (only joking, I think!) all gets pushed to the side. I got some books for Christmas just gone and found time has slipped by. Oh yes I never wished you all a Happy New Year either, sorry! I read Anthony Horowitz's, House of Silk, (Sherlock Holmes Story) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He wrote a brilliant tale of intrigue and really got into the characters of both Holmes and Watson brilliantly. The only fly in the ointment for me was on page 244 where Sherlock is told he is a cool customer. Would they have used such an expression in the late 1800’s?

Another book I read was Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. The reviews this received in magazines were great. It’s a ghost story and I love a good ghost story but this was very disappointing. I would be slow to recommend it. The descriptions of the isolation of the Arctic wildnerness are excellent but the story fell very short for me. It certainly didn’t live up to don’t read this alone.

I am now stuck into Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer Novels and it is amazing. It is early to bed for me with Mickey Haller and he certainly delivers! I shall try to catch up again soon and I intend to teach my hubby how to iron J.