I'm very happy to have author Christine Sutton as my guest today.
She's sharing about the power of positive interactions between authors,
readers, and reviewers. I agree that simple respect and courtesy go a
long way not only in these relationships but in all facets of life. Be sure to
check out Christine wise advice and don't miss her new release, Let Me In,
Burkheart Witch Saga Book 2.
***
by Christine Sutton
It seems that everywhere you turn on the internet
these days, there is an independent author making total and complete asses out
of themselves. I have seen more hissy fits, posturing and downright
embarrassing behavior online than most kindergarten teachers see in a year. The
biggest problem with that is the fact that many readers are unable or unwilling
to distinguish between these authors and the rest of us that are simply trying
to do what we love. When the average reader sees this behavior, they are loaded
with images of radical fruit loops writing stories that are poorly edited, and
barely cohesive. They see the dollars that they work hard for, being
potentially wasted on drivel. These mental images are only perpetuated by the bad
behavior of some writers. A little positivity goes a long way.
The truth is, as an author, artist, actor, singer,
or whatever; you are putting yourself in the public eye and asking people to
please like you or what you have done.
Here is a news flash: Not everyone will. If they do
not like you, it is not because they are jealous, or because they have no
taste, or they are out to get you. It is because the product that you have
produced is not to their liking. Simple as that.
So, what is an author to do?
Take it. Throwing a fit, hurling insults, and
telling everyone about your thousands of Twitter followers, or your hundreds of
Facebook friends that all said they loved your book, does absolutely nothing to
change that fact. If you receive a "bad" review, the best thing to do
is read it. If there is something written in the review that you feel might be
valid, and may improve your craft, take it. If the review bashes your skills
and refers to you as an amateurish high school level writer, take it.
Then quietly let it go.
If you are at a stage play, and someone boos the
performance, the actors do not stop what they are doing to tell the person that
they "are jealous" or are "out to get them". They simply do
their best to continue entertaining the rest of the patrons. Not once in my
lifetime have I ever heard of an artist threatening to take his or her toys and
go home because someone was being a big mean doodie-head.
By getting your panties in a bunch, you only make
yourself look stupid and childish. Stomping your feet, and listing your
credentials will definitely not help your cause. Ranting and raving for the
whole world to see is the last thing that you want to do. Trust me.
Some may see a bad review or a criticism as a
personal attack, an injustice that must be righted through blog posts or web
forums. In 99.999% of cases, this is simply not true. Most often, it is simply
an opinion. It may or may not be right, but that person is still entitled to
it. If you don't like it…oh well. Suck it up, buttercup. That is after all only
your opinion.
Now, for readers and reviewers:
Please keep in mind that what you are reading is not
just a doodle that someone threw down on paper in an afternoon and then posted
online in between dinner and bedtime. It is something they really worked hard
on, usually.
When you read something, please take the time to
leave a review. That is the nicest thing you can do for an author after buying
their book. Really. Good or bad, leave a review.
If you choose to leave a bad review, please let the
author and other readers know what you didn’t like. When you say something
like, “This book sucked” or “It was not my kind of book” that is the equivalent
of saying “meh”. It conveys your dislike or indifference, but no one knows why.
Do your fellow readers a favor.
As far as the author goes, the best way for them to
improve is through critique. Help them tell a better story and let them know
why it wasn’t your cup of tea.
If an author descends into the ridiculous and
inexcusable behavior above, just walk away. Do not engage because that author
obviously has ego and personality issues and it will quickly turn into a
sucking whirlpool of despair and childishness.
In the words of the famous internet sensation, Sweet
Brown:
“Ain’t nobody got time for that!”
***
Let
Me In
Burkheart
Witch Saga
Book
2
Christine
Sutton
Genre: Urban paranormal fantasy
Publisher: DevilDog Press, LLC
Date of Publication: November 15,
2014
ISBN
ASIN: B00PPJJ34K
Number of pages: 138
Book Description:
Kayla has returned home to find
that the fairy tale continues. She finds out some facts about her family
history that may be her ultimate undoing.
With the help of a coven of
witches, Kayla is tasked with defeating vampires, werewolves and evil witches
that threaten to destroy her happiness and her very life!
Will she get her happily ever
after, or will she fall victim to the evil that courses through her veins?
This
novella will take you through a whirlwind as you join Kayla on another fairy
tale adventure. Previously published as Kayla Enchanted.
Excerpt:
He laughed,
watching the little pigs scramble to clean up the message he had left. He
didn't really believe in playing with his food, but this was so much fun!
He could tell
that the bitch was terrified, and he loved it. Pigs tasted so much better when
they were afraid.
While the bitch
pig, the pussy pig, and the little pig in a blanket slept in their bed, he had
ripped that rabbit's head off with his bare hands. As he smeared the blood all
over the sidewalk to leave them a message, he hadn't been able to stop himself
from taking a long drink from its mutilated little body. It tasted so good that
he had almost marched into the house and ate all three of them right then.
Self-control had
won out. He had simply left the message, knocked over the sad little straw hut
and sat in the bushes to watch them scamper around. They had rushed in when
they found the message and locked up the house as if that would do any damn
good at all.
He had to admit
that he had not liked the look on the woman's face. As she had walked into the
house, there was a look that appeared to be defiance as she scanned the yard
for danger.
He would rip
that smug look off along with her lips, nose and eyes. He hadn't realized that
the whole time watching them, he had been digging his now extended claws into
his own thigh. The blood had partially soaked through his denim jeans and began
to drip onto the well-manicured grass. He released the grip on his leg and
wiped his hands on the dry part of his jeans.
He knew it would
heal completely before nightfall. The mixture that his blood contained was
great for self-healing, and even better for speed and strength. There would be
no stopping him this time. Even that little witch's magic wouldn't do the trick.
He had a few 'tricks' of his own to show her. Wouldn't that little pig be
surprised?
About
the Author:
Christine Sutton is the author of
more than fifteen short stories, novellas and novels. While she tends to cross
genres within horror, she is always passionate about scaring the hell out of
you.
Her passion would have to be
serial killer fiction, but she also loves ghosts, ghouls, demons and monsters
of all types. Christine's work ranges from modern day fairy tales to demonic
soul eaters to ghostly children that just want to play. Her writing has been
called passionate, realistic, gritty, fun, enthralling and tons of other cool
adjectives.
You, too can pick up some of
Christine's work and come up with some cool adjectives of your own. It won't be
hard. I promise.
Twitter: @csuttonauthor
2 comments:
Thank you so much for having me! I hope that your readers have enjoyed my guest blog and I hope they enjoy the Burkheart Witch Saga series. Book 1 is currently available for FREE on all ebook platforms!
Christine, I'm glad to have you visit today! I love your cover art.
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