Dealing with Critiques and Reviews

I really enjoyed Niki’s and Janet’s last blog posts. To me, critiques and reviews seem to be two sides of the same coin. As writers, we're part of the entertainment industry. Reviews may be professional book reviews, fan reviews, or word-of-mouth. And as Janet said, lots of reviews garner attention and bring more readers.

But critiques prior to publication are what make us better. 

Therefore, as Niki so eloquently told us, a critique partner, should be held in very high regard. 

I love my blog partners. They are critique partners, beta readers and hand holders. I find myself chatting with them on Facebook in the evening while my daughter watches her favorite TV shows. Writing this post, I had an epiphany. We watched two reality TV shows back to back. And guess what? I have two perfect examples fro you on how to deal with critiques and reviews.

Shark Tank is a reality TV show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch the "sharks" (investors).

Click here to watch

This is a perfect example of what NOT to do. But critique partners, agents, and editors don't get the luxury of opinionated writers going on national television. So take a moment to review Niki's Ten Critique Partner Commandments. Don't argue with recommendations--the sharks talking about the two women pitching? Just think, they could be your editors.

Cut Throat Kitchen was on next. In this show the Chefs are given a cooking challenge, in this case they had to make a French Dip sandwich. The other contestants are offered an opportunity to sabotage each other. The chef you'll see get booted off the show had to make his sandwich on a tandem bike.

Click here to watch

These chefs don’t make excuses with the challenges they faced. They simply say, “Thank you, Chef.”  The chef who judged was also polite. He couldn't bite through the sandwich, but his review? 

"You cut the meat wrong."

My ultimate goal is to get my manuscript published and sell lots of books. Critiques and reviews are just part of the process. I'm sure at some point, I'll get a negative review. Everyone reads differently. But when that happens I'm going to look for this blog and try to remember, "thank you chef."