Shake that groove thing

One of the coolest things about having two kids? For family dance parties, we all have a partner. We've been having lots of family dance parties lately. For a while, Max wouldn't allow Dean and me to dance at all. (We tried not to take it personally. Surely it wasn't a critcism of our extremely fine groove moves.) Now he's lifted the ban, on occassion. I got an ipod speaker for Christmas, and we play music in the kitchen while I make dinner. It's probably my favorite time of day.

Maggie is doing so much better at night! I'm so proud of her. (knock on wood) She is going two hours between feedings at night and sometimes even longer. And she's so gorgeous. I'm not in the least biased, I'm sure, when I say she's the most gorgeous baby in the entire world. She's starting to grin at me, and then I just have to attack those cheeks and kiss 'em up.

Reading the comments on the last blog, I'll give my thoughts on negative reviews. I read all the reviews of my books that come my way, but I no longer seek them out. They are not helpful to a writer. The truth is, not everyone is going to like what you write. There is no possible way to write something that will appeal to everyone's tastes. We're all individuals. You have to write to yourself. That doesn't mean that writers shy from criticism. The rewrite process I go through with all my books would've made me weep and curl up into fetal position when I wasn't used to it. Many people read my manuscripts, including my editor, and with each draft give pages of notes about what is wrong with it and what doesn't work. I myself am a harsh editor of my own work. I spend months and years searching for ways I've failed with the story and for ways to improve it. I consider every criticism of the manuscript very seriously. It's an arduous, often painful, and completely essential process for writing the best book possible. The positive outcome of this torture is that by time each of my books is published, I feel very confident that it was the absolute best I could do.

Getting negative feedback after a book is published is not helpful to a writer. Sometimes, it can throw me off so much, shake my confidence, so that writing that day or week is very hard. That's not the reviewer's fault, it's mine, but it may be why some writers avoid all reviews. It may be important for that reviewer to express their opinion, but that opinion is for the reader's sake, not mine. The book is already published, there's nothing I can do to change it, and I wouldn't change it if I could. I wrote the book that I wanted to read. Besides, I couldn't possibly listen to everyone. For example, some readers have told me that the goose girl was paced too slowly and they couldn't get into it; others have said that they were captivated from the first page and loved the writing style. How can I please both kinds of readers? I can't. I can only write the book for my internal audience and, heeding the advice of my editor and early readers, rewrite it the best I can. When people tell me things they don't like about my books, all I can do is acknowledge that they have every right to have that reaction, and then move on.

Comments

[Nikki]

What a great point about the difference between criticism before and after publication. As a reader, I like to read several reviews both good and bad of a book so I get an idea of whether my tastes will lean toward the positive or negative. Once in a while I even post reviews on amazon when I feel like I have an opinion that other readers might find helpful. But you're absolutely right that reviews are not for the author.

[Inkygirl]

An excellent post about writers and negative reviews...thank you!

[Faith #2]

Maggie sounds like she's going to be a good smiler. in 1 picture I promise it looked eggzacly like she was grinning at the camera. I was captivated at the first page of GG, it didn't seem to slow to me. but others might disagree. I might not like Austenland, but I don't think so. i think I'll like it, if it's as good as P&p. where are you going on your tour in the fall?

[Anon]

See? That's what I was talking about. No writing is perfect. However, about before versus after publishing criticism-if you want us to gripe about the story before it is published, sort of an Advanced Reading Commitee. Or just email it to us.
All parents feel their baby is special, the best, and completely unique, so your praise of Maggie is not particuarly different than all parents.

[Mads]

The stuff you said really makes sense, and you put it in a nice way. Thanks!!

How cool, family dance parties!!! I would suggest my family try one, but somehow, an image of my dad and dancing appears before my eyes and I don't want to anymore... :o)

[Heather]

Your comments on not seeking out reviews make sense to me. What a lot of beginning writers don't seem to understand is that the reviews aren't aimed at them--they're aimed at people who are trying to decide whether or not to buy the book. If a review happens to teach the writer a way in which she could improve, or give her a boost by saying something nice, that's wonderful--but that isn't their purpose, and the author doesn't need to read them. I think a lot of authors put themselves through unnecessary heartburn by caring overmuch about what is, ultimately, just one person's opinion of their work (and I say that as a reviewer as well as a writer--I don't believe that my opinions of someone's work hold some sort of special weight; I just hope I can include enough information in my review to help a reader make her own decision about a book).

[Faith #2]

well said!

[Enna Isilee]

The Storl Of the Mory(Rindercella) is "Watch what you say when reviewing or 'critisizing'"

Because your opinion can be very hurtful or helpful.

And since Maggie is the only baby in my life right now, I agree with her being the cutest one around!

[Jenna]

I think that when one thinks about it, it is obvious that while criticism on a work in progress is helpful (as long as it comes from someone whose opinion you value).But it is not any help once the project is done.
One might also marvel why it is that babies, who are bald, toothless, and rather chubby, are adored by everyone. Yours sound so cute!

[MAYday]

I love family dance parties! Well, not so much anymore because I'm 14 and my mom dances like a chicken (no joke), but I liked them when I was younger. Our family would watch VeggieTales (awesome kids videos) and dance to the songs. It was FUN!

Great way of putting the critcism thing. I guess I never really thought of reviews as mainly for the readers, but now that you pointed it out I totally agree.

[Lauren]

I agree with everything Shannon said about reviews after the book is released. Negative reviews post-release of a book aren't helpful, but good reviews provide confidence and reassurance. I didn't want to offend anyone with my comment on the previous blog re: Anon's post about Jane, from Austenland. I just thought it was unfair for someone who hasn't read the book to critise it based on plot summations. I think every book deserves a chance and at least a partial reading before an opinion is made. I thought that maybe posting a negative review of a yet unreleased book of Shannon's was unfair. I suppose we're free to say what we want here, as long as it isn't hurtful to others. But, I digress.

[Anon]

Lauren-I suppose I will read it anyway, since it is Shannon's, but not without some regret, and I do not particuarly expect it to be Shannon's best work or something that will interest very many people outside of the faction of Austen-loving scholarly nerds. Perhaps that isn't the correct word, since females are not generally referred to as "nerds". I will, however, send it to all my Austen-loving comrades once I am finished.

[Lauren]

Yeah, I'm not saying you have to love it, but just give it a chance first before forming an opinion. I agree that it might not end up being my favorite, given the subject, but it will be fun (I think Shannon has even called it 'fluff') to read anyway. And I'm sure any book of Shannon's is going to be well-writen and enjoyable, regardless of the subject matter.

[Kacey Jensen]

Reading this post I get the feeling that “arduous, often painful, and completely essential process” applies to more than just writing.

For instance, my husband quit his job last April to start our own company making casual games. He has been making computer games for years and finally decided he didn’t want to make games he wouldn’t play himself and did not want our children playing. I was coaxed into helping and have really enjoyed designing our current game full time.

Game designers are similar to authors in that we write our story in game format instead of in a book. We wrote our story, our game, for ourselves as something we enjoy and would be proud of. Then we sent it out to our “editors” for feedback.

Because of this, we have spent the last few months doing about the same thing that Shannon describes when she says “I consider every criticism of the manuscript very seriously.” We have had friends and family play our game and give us their lists of “notes about what is wrong with it and what doesn't work.” We have carefully considered, and usually implemented, every comment that was made. We are days away from being done and are “feel[ing] very confident that it was the absolute best [we] could do.”

It was interesting to me to see the similar processes between creating a computer game and writing a book. I have a newfound respect for “story tellers”, in all their forms.

[Christie]

I just finished reading The Princess Academy and I found Miri and Isi to be very similar creatures. They are both thrilling in their uniqueness and refreshing in their selflessness. How's that for a good review! I've found that negative feedback from writing when it doesn't come from the educated can hurt. I review movies for a website from time to time and the readers have an immediate forum to post their ideas. I've stopped writing regularly for the site because I got tired of the readers attacking me personally if I didn't write what they wanted to hear. As a writer, we can't do that. We have to write what is true in our hearts. Can I get an amen? But truly, once I get a book published, I don't know if I'll want to read reviews. It must be nervewracking.

[Callie the Strongbad Fan]

I thank you so much for your remarks Shannon because they are very true. One thing that does make me afraid at times of writing to an audience is the fact that there is nothing, no book, song, movie, or any art form that everyone likes. JRR Tolkien himself talked about how you can't please everyone because some people said that they hated how his book was so long and he should have shortened it, whereas other readers said that they couldn't get enough of LOTR and the book was too short. Sometimes I angirly want to blame others, saying that they don't recognize good writing, especially when people say that they hate something that I love, like Harry Potter. Oh, I say to myself, why don't these people recognize virtually perfect writing?! But I remind myself that we are all different; all born different; all created different. It's also very true what Shannon says about negative feedback to a writer. Years ago, I read a book that was very badly written. Really, if you read it you would recognize that it was a terribly written book. But I knew that it would do no good to write complaints to the writer because you can't change a person. I get angry at people who complain to writers about their writing because I know that it does no good and that a writer has a right to write what they like. We are tempted at times to compare, almost all comparisons being inappropriate, and I've been guilty too of comparing. I want Shannon to know that she is a good writer! No one is perfect and achieving near perfection is just so tough.

By the way, knowing how babies dance, I imagine Maggie one day dancing to the groove.:)

[asha]

shannon, that sounds so great! you put it so well.

[Rika]

Wow, you delivered that message so.. "softly". Well said/written Shannon!
I, personally, think you are a terrific author and that your style of writing is absolutly wonderful! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise-if they do, read their comment and move on-because you do already have a bunch of adoring fans out there rooting for you!
Oh, yes, and I applaud Maggie, too, for being a good-girl at bedtime.
Have fun dancing and keep up the good work Shannon!

[Rika]

Er.. I ment absolutely-I forgot the "e". Whoops!

[Rika]

OMG and there, meant MEANT. Sheesh.. I am such a terrible speller!

[Anne]

What's a negative review compared to all these awesome Shannon-fans in this blog?

[Anne]

What's a negative review compared to all these awesome Shannon-fans in this blog?

[Anne]

what's a negative review compared to all these awesome Shannon-fans in this blog?

[wow!]

wow, you were very enthusiastic! that's 3 encouraging posts!;)

[Nita9]

Shannon, I love hearing about Maggie. You sound glad that she's sleeping two hour stretches, but I think that's still exhausting. I'm in your boat - I have a 3 year old and a 7 month old who still doesn't sleep through the night. I would love to hear how you are handling writing with two children. I used to write during my toddler's naptime, but now with the infant I can't! They never nap at the same time. And sometimes the infant won't go to sleep until late, so it's been really hard squeezing writing in. I'd be very interested in hearing how you are coping. You seem to be very happy, though, and that's what's important! I wish you and Max and Maggie all the best. God bless you.

[Anon]

A bunch of fans, with a black sheep amongst them. *ahem* We all may enjoy Shannon's books, however we can't be blind to the fact that all authors write great things all the time. Criticism and editorial commentary are important to the development of writing and a story.

[Anon]

Excuse my double post, but I screwed up my phrasing. I meant that not all authors write perfect works all the time.

[Kayleigh]

I never noticed that, but good point, you are a very deep thinker. Though I don't know why ANYONE would criticize your books! They are great!

[asha]

of course you're right, anon, but we shouldn't judge Austenland before we've read it. but we kinow we love her style, and the review I read sounded interesting, so there's no point in judging it badly.

[Cristina]

Goose Girl was sort of slow in the beginning, but honestly, I tend to think most books are... :P

No, but then I finished it, thought it was great, and the second time I read it, I loved the beginning even though it was like the saddest thing I've ever read.

[Marie]

very true about criticism.. i like your answer. I don't usually give neg, reviews, instead I try to highlight what I did like. but I can say this honestly... Goose Girl is my favorite book of all time. seriously. at the age of 15 I have read many excellent books of all different genres, lengths, authors and time periods. but, by far, The Goose Girl is my favorite. every word of every page I treasured and I wanted to be with Ani and Conrad and Enna and Geric, Finn, everyone soooo bad. you're books make me feel wonderful and so happy. I find that when I'm in an uncomfortable situation or stuck on a test at school I think to myself "I'm Ani" and it helps me be strong and confident! that's the utter truth. Im just happy I have found an author who's work has impacted my life so much. even in just the last couple of years.

[Marie]

oh, and I didn't think Goose Girl started out slow, in fact I loved the beginning. please DON'T CHANGE YOUR WORK OR STYLE. go with however you feel's best... well what you have been doing, because it's fantastic!

[Mollie]

Shannon. I love the great job you are doing, so keep it up :D

[Little Willow]

Writers know their characters better than anyone else, of course, since they created them. Readers grow to know them and love them in a similar fashion, but for readers, it is more about relating to them than creating them. In this sense, the writers are the parents; readers, the siblings, the close friends.

I will always prefer constructive criticism (that with good intentions) to negativity.

Put on the song Safety Dance and get your entire family to sing along with the lyrics: "We can dance if we want to!"

[Kelsey]

I think the second book of a series tends to be the best. So much of the first is spent introducing the reader to the characters, their world and personalites, that by the sequel you feel like you know them. I liked Inkspell over Inkheart, Sea of Monsters over The Lightning Thief (Maybe. They're both really good and absolutely hilarious!). I don't really have a favorite of the Bayern books, though; it depends on what I'm in the mood for.

[Enna Isilee]

Um... I've been thinking about it and... Maggie can dance?

:)

[Draco Virgo]

yeah, i agree with what you said about reviews. There will always be some one who hates your work and some one who loves it. But i still think it's good to get advice from both sides.

[Callie the Strongbad Fan]

I also want to point out what Shannon said on Mincement:On Writing, in the sections On Workshops and Working With An Editor. I recommend reading both of those sections right now. It is helpful to receive feedback in workshops and from others when you are an unpublished developing writer. But Shannon also explains in this very blog how it does no good to read negative criticism for an unpublished book. In fact, JRR Tolkien said that no matter how much people criticized his book, there was nothing he could do to change an already published book. I once started reading a classic novel called Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad. I didn't get very far into the book because it is a very difficult book to read (I'll get back to it some day), but I thought it was funny how in the beginning of the book is a preface from the author more than eighty years ago when he gave his reaction to people who didn't like his book. And do you think that this "constructive criticism" for this already published book really changed his writing? I know that Thomas Hardy gave up writing novels when people complained about his last novel Jude the Obscure. Point: Criticism is constructive for an unpublished author in the form of writing workshops, and for a published writing constructive criticism may come from the editor and close trusted relatives. But it does no good for a writer to receive critiques on a book that is already published. Time has shown only harm.

[Anon]

But neither AUSTENLAND nor BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS has been published yet. Perhaps AUSTENLAND, depending on how you look at it, but it hasn't been released to the public and is still being tinkered with by the Editors and Shannon. Also, in the case of Bayern, I disagree with Kelsey. The first and third were better than the second, because the second was rather depressing and rather scary, perhaps not like a Stephen King novel, but still rather unpleasant.

[Anne]

Criticism of published works are not intended for the author but for the (possible) readers. I know I would never have picked up Goose Girl if I didn't see the reviews about it.

[Anon #2]

Enna actually was my favorite book out of the four. From a woman's perspective, Enna's story was compelling and raw. Enna's rape (yes, I refer to it as her rape, because in RS it is mentioned that Enna was "treated cruelly" {or something like that} by Sileph, and the tent scene in EB doesn't confince me otherwise) made me angry beyond all belief at Sileph, because he was taking advantage of a drugged woman. Also, the prose (as usual) was stellar, as were the desciptions of fire and its power to consume and control.

[asha]

hmm, i dunno, i have my doubts about that anon#2...

anon- Austenland and B1000 may not be in bookstores yet, but i'm pretty sure that shannon can't add or edit any more. is that right? anyway, if it is right, then i think that counts as published.

[Kbookwoman]

I love the way you write. I can hear the voices so clearly. Your use of language is beautiful.

[Enna Isilee]

I'm reading Enna Burning again because I loved it so much! I supose it's just a matter of opinion.

But if you think that there is ANY chance your comments might cause someone to be offended, please, don't post them.

[Rujie]

The first time I read Enna Burning, I didn't like it as much as Goose Girl, but I think that it was because it was so different from what I was expecting. Now, Enna Burning is one of my most favorite books! My sister insists that it's because I'm most like Enna, but I just love the emotion that is put into it. Does that make sense, or am I just rambling?
Oh- and I, being one of those "Jane Austen dorks," am soooooo excited for Austenland!!! I'm not going to say anything other than that because I think it is wrong to judge a book before reading it. If I had done that, I never would've read The Goose Girl because it was a "princess book," and then I never would've read all the other wonderful books that it's led me to that are also "princess books."

[writtenwyrdd]

Wonderful thoughts. Thanks for sharing!