On literary criticism….

[jl_merrow]

I know some authors don’t read reviews. At least, they say they don’t, and who am I to doubt the word of a fellow author?

Me, I read ‘em all.  Can’t help it. I guess it’s the same instinct that has us rubber-necking at car-crashes – even if I know I’m going to regret it, I just have to know.

(And afterwards, of course, sometimes I just have to crawl into a hole and weep quietly.)

And yes, of course, a review is just one person’s opinion.  But it fascinates me to find out what people see in my work.  Because this writing lark is a two-way business--no, ahem, two ways about it.  If I’m failing the reader, I’d like to know – and I always try to nod and smile enigmatically when people see something deep in my writing that had never even occurred to me at the time.

But by the same token, it’s lovely when a reviewer really gets what I intended when writing a story.  So, while it’s heartening that Muscling Through has been getting some fantastic reviews, I was really rather pleased to see the one from Sarah Frantz of Dear Author.  Because it may not be gushing—she gives the book a grade B—but she gets it; she really does.  

Comments

[egret17.livejournal.com]

And a good review on Dear Author increases your visibility to a wide audience! I didn't even realize m/m existed until I read a review of Str8te Boys there two years ago. :)

[jl_merrow]

I'm firmly convinced there are an awful lot of people out there who'd love to read m/m if they only knew it existed and where to find it! I remember my early days trying desperately to find stuff, and ordering paperbacks from America at huge expense because I didn't have a clue about e-books. :)

[melanietushmore.livejournal.com]

glad you're pleased!
wanted to say i enjoyed your short stories in the Dreamspinner anthology and Tea and Crumpet respectively :)

thats an interesting site, dear author! thanks for sharing

[jl_merrow]

Oh, thank you! So glad you enjoyed my stories. :D

Dear Author is one of those sites where, if you've been reviewed, you hit the link with a certain amount of trepidation - they definitely tell it how they see it! ;)

[melanietushmore.livejournal.com]

oh v much so! altho i did shed a little tear in both *wipes eye*

lol yes i looked at dear author, i suppose its nice that enough people want to discuss a review in detail but i can imagine how nervous it would make anyone! meep! XD

still, seems good so far! thats a plus, right? :)

[slavetopassion.livejournal.com]

I saw that! Congrats!!

~smooches~

[jl_merrow]

Thank you! *hugs*

[gaycrow.livejournal.com]

That is a good review. It's also good that you've found a reviewer who's on the same wavelength.

I'm inclined to agree with the commenters there. I don't think we're too far off the line, are we?

I think it's amazing how readers come from different backgrounds, different age groups, and different life experiences. Often we see things differently when we read stories, but it's good to know we all do enjoy reading them. :-)

[jl_merrow]

Yes, when you think about it, it's quite astonishing there's as much agreement as there is over what constitutes a "good" book! :D

[rowenasudbury.livejournal.com]

I read reviews, I admit it. And I know what you mean, when someone "gets" it, I really love it. Kudos!

[jl_merrow]

Thank you! And thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one! ;)

[josephine-myles.livejournal.com]

Great review hon - she definitely does get it, doesn't she? And I've always thought B was a good grade, not the insult some authors seem to think it. A B on Dear Author is equivalent to an A+ on many more gushing, less critical review sites.

[jl_merrow]

Thanks! :D
Yes, I've no complaints over this one!

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

What a lovely thoughtful review. I hope people get Matt when they read the stories about the Egg the way that she gets your Al.

Also I need more time to catch up with my To Read file.

[jl_merrow]

It was thoughtful, wasn't it? Fingers crossed for you!

And it's sad, isn't it - we get into writing because we love reading, and find we have hardly any time to read any more!

[pd-singer.livejournal.com]

With any review, it's more the text than the stars that I pay attention to. Very glad that the reviewer got what you hope readers would find.